At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow the hospitality and events operation at Abingdon School.
- Company: Join a historic school with a modern vision and beautiful campus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free parking, quality meals, and exciting growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a thriving foundation during a transformative period.
- Why this job: Shape a premium hospitality experience while being part of a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality, strong leadership skills, and commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
Abingdon School, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1DE
Circa 45,000 per annum, depending on experience
40 Hours per Week | 52 Weeks Per Year | 5 Days Over 7
Flexibility will be required to support the needs of the business, including evenings and weekends for events.
About Abingdon School
Set within 35 acres of beautiful grounds in the heart of Abingdon and just 8 miles from Oxford, Abingdon School Foundation combines over 750 years of history with a modern and ambitious outlook. The Foundation is entering an exciting new chapter, becoming fully co-educational from 2026, with exciting new summer camps launching in 2027. At Abingdon, students are encouraged to seize opportunities, appreciate their responsibilities to others and contribute positively to society. The Foundation promotes a culture of respect, equality and inclusion, where diversity is celebrated and wellbeing is a priority. Known for excellence in academics, music, sport and the arts, Abingdon offers a caring and supportive environment where students are encouraged to achieve their best and try something new.
About this role
We're looking for a Commercial Hospitality & Events Manager to lead and grow our hospitality and events operation across Abingdon School. This is a senior, client-facing leadership role with responsibility for developing a commercially focused hospitality offer, delivering exceptional guest experiences and supporting the School's ambitious plans for growth. You'll lead a talented hospitality team, including two Hospitality Supervisors and a flexible bank of casual team members, while working closely with the Commercial Director, Events & Courses Manager, Executive Chef and wider Sodexo leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced hospitality or events leader who can combine premium service standards with strong commercial acumen, operational excellence and a passion for creating memorable experiences.
Why You'll Love It Here
- Free on-site parking
- Quality meals provided whilst on duty
- Beautiful campus location just outside Oxford
- Exciting developments including co-education from 2026 and summer camps launching in 2027
- Opportunity to shape and grow a developing commercial hospitality operation
- Senior, visible role within a supportive and ambitious team
- Be part of a thriving Foundation during a period of growth and investment
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading the commercial hospitality and events operation across a 52-week trading environment
- Developing and delivering a hospitality strategy that supports revenue growth, guest experience and long-term commercial success
- Driving new business opportunities, repeat bookings and strong external partnerships
- Overseeing internal and external events, including school functions, fine dining, casual dining, sports hospitality, conferences, commercial events and future summer programmes
- Managing hospitality budgets, pricing, forecasting, revenue performance and margin delivery
- Working closely with the Executive Chef on menus, product development, cost control and service innovation
- Leading, coaching and developing the hospitality team, including supervisors and casual colleagues
- Ensuring every event is delivered to a consistently high standard, from enquiry through to post-event review
- Building strong relationships with senior school stakeholders, governors, commercial partners and external clients
- Ensuring full compliance with food safety, allergen management, licensing, health and safety, safeguarding and Sodexo standards
- Managing wine and beverage stock, supplier relationships, tastings and product development to support a premium guest offer
- Using systems, data and reporting to improve planning, performance and the overall customer journey
What You'll Bring
- Significant experience in hospitality, events, catering, commercial venues or premium service environments
- A strong track record of leading teams and delivering high-quality events or hospitality services
- Commercial experience, including revenue growth, pricing, forecasting, cost control and margin management
- Confidence managing client relationships and engaging with senior stakeholders
- Excellent organisation, communication and problem-solving skills
- A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to work in a busy and varied environment
- Experience managing teams across permanent, supervisory and casual staffing structures
- A strong understanding of food safety, allergens, health and safety and service compliance
- Experience in licensed hospitality environments, including responsible alcohol service and stock control
- A Personal Licence Holder qualification, or willingness to obtain one
- A full UK driving licence and access to a car, as the role will support activity across more than one Abingdon School site
Safeguarding
This role is based within an educational environment and is subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and any additional pre-employment screening required for the role.
Join Sodexo at Abingdon School Foundation and play a key role in shaping a premium hospitality and events operation during an exciting period of growth, investment and transformation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Hospitality & Events Manager - Abingdon
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Sodexo. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Sodexo
Don't be shy about reaching out to Sodexo directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Hospitality & Events Manager - Abingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Sodexo and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
