At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Front Desk and Residential Services, ensuring a welcoming experience for students and guests.
- Company: Join West Dean, a unique organisation blending education, creativity, and hospitality.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension scheme, and free access to campus facilities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on student experiences in a beautiful setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer-facing roles and team management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
12-month fixed-term contract
Location: West Dean, West Sussex
Hours: 35 hours per week, 5 days over 7, including weekends and bank holidays
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Closing date: 28 August 2026
Interview date: To be confirmed
Join West Dean and help shape an exceptional experience for our students, visitors and guests. Set within the beautiful 6,350-acre West Dean Estate in the South Downs National Park, West Dean is a truly distinctive place to work. Our community brings together education, creativity, heritage, hospitality and visitor experiences, creating an environment where every day offers something different.
We are looking for an experienced and confident Front Desk & Residential Services Manager to lead the day-to-day operation of our Student Welcome and residential services. This is a key operational leadership role where you will provide visible and consistent management across daytime and overnight operations, ensuring that students, visitors, guests and colleagues receive a professional, welcoming and responsive service.
About the role
You will lead the Student Welcome service across daytime and overnight provision, ensuring effective staffing, clear communication and consistent service standards. You will also oversee the operational delivery of residential services, working closely with Housekeeping, Estates, Bookings, Finance, Conference & Events and other teams to ensure accommodation and front-of-house services run smoothly.
- Leading the day-to-day operation of the Student Welcome and front desk service.
- Managing and supporting the Senior Student Welcome Officers and Residential Services Coordinator.
- Ensuring effective staffing, management cover and service continuity across different working patterns.
- Providing visible leadership and acting as an escalation point for complex operational matters.
- Overseeing residential arrivals, departures, room access and accommodation enquiries.
- Working collaboratively with Housekeeping, Estates, Bookings, Finance and Conference & Events.
- Supporting busy periods including student arrivals and departures, conferences and events.
- Maintaining high standards of customer service and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.
- Managing operational incidents, ensuring concerns are appropriately recorded, followed up and escalated.
- Supporting contracts, invoicing and administrative processes associated with Events and Conferencing.
- Reviewing working practices and identifying opportunities to improve the service.
About you
You will have significant experience working in a customer-facing operational environment, ideally with experience of supervising or managing teams and coordinating services across different working patterns. You will be organised, approachable and confident, with excellent communication skills, sound judgement and the ability to remain calm when dealing with competing priorities or challenging situations. You will have strong attention to detail and be comfortable working with systems, records, contracts and financial information. A collaborative approach and the ability to build effective working relationships will be essential. Experience within higher education, residential accommodation, hospitality, events or a 24-hour environment would be advantageous.
Why join West Dean?
Working at West Dean means becoming part of a unique organisation where education, creativity, heritage and hospitality come together. You will have the opportunity to lead a diverse operational service, work across a beautiful residential campus and make a genuine difference to the experience of students, visitors and guests.
Benefits include:
- Generous contributory pension scheme, matching from 4% to 7.5%.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Mental Health First Aiders.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Free entry to West Dean Gardens.
- Discounts on retail goods in our two Sussex shops.
- Free and discounted places on short courses at West Dean College.
- Free use of West Dean Sussex facilities, including the swimming pool, library and tennis courts.
- Subsidised bed and breakfast rates on the Sussex campus.
Ready to lead a service that makes a difference? If you are an experienced operational leader who enjoys working with people, solving problems and creating high standards of service, we would love to hear from you. Join West Dean and help us deliver a welcoming, professional and memorable experience for everyone who comes through our doors.
Front Desk & Residential Services Manager (12-month fixed term) employer: Novatech Ltd
Join MSV as a No2 Mechanic and immerse yourself in a dynamic work culture that celebrates teamwork and high-performance engineering. With competitive pay, generous holiday allowances, and access to exclusive events, you'll find ample opportunities for personal and professional growth right at Brands Hatch, all while working on cutting-edge race cars in a supportive environment. Our commitment to employee wellbeing and development ensures that you can thrive both in your role and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Front Desk & Residential Services Manager (12-month fixed term)
✨Get Your Foot in the Door with Walk-Ins
In the hospitality and food service game, a personal touch goes a long way. Instead of waiting for listings, why not walk into local restaurants, cafes, or hotels? Bring your best smile and a CV, and show them that you're eager to join their team right on the spot!
✨Tap into Seasonal Hiring Trends
With temporary roles often popping up during busy seasons, like summer or festive times, keep an eye out for openings as these businesses ramp up. Joining local community groups on social media can also help you stay ahead of the game: think pop-up events, seasonal fairs, or any openings in your area!
✨Utilise Your Network in the Industry
We all know people in the hospitality world, right? Now's the time to message those friends or acquaintances who might already be working in restaurants or bars. They could give you the insider scoop on who’s hiring or even put in a good word for you – it’s all about that inside connection!
✨Apply Through Us for Quick Visibility
Don't forget you can apply for temporary roles directly through our website! It’s not just about the big chain restaurants; many smaller, local places look there for quick hires. Plus, it helps us get you on the radar of employers looking for passionate workers like you, so what are you waiting for?
We think you need these skills to ace Front Desk & Residential Services Manager (12-month fixed term)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality-food-service game, your ability to connect with customers is key. Make sure to highlight any relevant experience in your CV, like working in cafes or restaurants, and emphasise your skills in teamwork and communication. Don't forget to mention any customer service training or certifications you've got under your belt!
Flexibility is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary role, you'll want to showcase your flexibility in your application. In your cover letter, mention your availability and willingness to work various shifts, including weekends or holidays. Employers love knowing they can rely on you during busy periods!
Bring Your Personality to the Front:In hospitality, it's not just about what you can do; it's about who you are! Let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A warm, engaging tone can really make your application stand out and show your potential to create a welcoming atmosphere for customers.
Include Relevant References:References can make a huge difference in the hospitality-field. Consider including a couple of references from previous employers or colleagues in your CV who can vouch for your customer service skills and ability to thrive in fast-paced environments. This adds credibility and elevates your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Novatech Ltd
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In the hospitality-food-service sector, it's all about the customer experience. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've gone above and beyond for a customer or handled a difficult situation. They’ll appreciate knowing that you can keep your cool and maintain a positive attitude even when things get a bit hectic!
✨Know Your Menu Inside and Out
Whether you're applying for a temporary role as a server or in the kitchen, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the menu and any signature dishes they serve at Novatech Ltd. During the interview, they might ask about your food and drink recommendations, so having a few tasty suggestions up your sleeve will show you're genuinely interested in contributing to the team.
✨Emphasise Your Flexibility
Temporary roles often require a bit of juggling with shifts and responsibilities. Be sure to convey your willingness to adapt and take on different roles as needed. Share instances where you’ve quickly switched tasks or taken the initiative to help out your colleagues, showing that you're a team player.
✨Dress the Part and Exude Personality
In hospitality, first impressions matter! Even for a temporary position, donning smart-casual attire can set the right tone. Plus, don't hold back on your personality – let your enthusiasm shine through, as they’re looking for someone who can mesh well with the team and create a welcoming atmosphere for guests.
