General Services Contract Manager in Edinburgh

Location: George Watsons College, 69 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5EG

Days/Shift Pattern: 5 over 7 days

Total Hours Per Week: 40 hours

Salary: Competitive, with excellent benefits

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Contract Manager to lead catering and cleaning operations at George Watson’s College. This is a high-profile role where you will be responsible for delivering exceptional service standards across a large, dynamic school environment, including pupil dining, hospitality, retail outlets, and cleaning services.

Working closely with the client, you will play a key role in building strong, long-term relationships while driving financial performance, innovation, and continuous improvement. This opportunity would suit a confident operator from a contract catering or hotel background who thrives in a fast-paced, multi-service environment and is passionate about leading large teams to success.

You will join ahead of a key mobilisation period, supporting both the transition and ongoing delivery of services, ensuring operational excellence and a seamless client experience.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and manage all catering and cleaning operations across the site, ensuring services are delivered to the highest standards for pupils, staff, retail outlets, and hospitality.
• Oversee a large, multi-functional team, providing clear direction, coaching and development to drive performance and engagement.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, delivering regular reviews, sharing performance insights, and identifying opportunities for innovation and growth.
• Take full ownership of financial performance, managing budgets, controlling costs, and driving sales and profitability across all service areas.
• Support the mobilisation of services, ensuring a smooth transition and setting the foundations for long-term success.
• Ensure all food, hygiene, and health & safety standards are consistently met, with full compliance to company and legislative requirements.
• Work closely with the Cleaning Manager to ensure seamless integration between catering and cleaning operations.

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience in contract catering, hospitality, or hotel environments.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing budgets and driving profitability.
• Experience operating within a retail-focused environment, with a track record of increasing sales and customer engagement.
• Experience managing large, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Previous responsibility for multi-service operations (catering and/or cleaning).
• Experience supporting or leading mobilisation projects (desirable).

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary & excellent benefits package.
• Opportunities for career growth and development.
• A diverse, supportive, and inclusive workplace.
• Unlimited access to an online mental health and wellbeing support platform.
• An Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support.
• 24/7 access to a virtual GP service.
• Exclusive discounts for you, your family, and friends through the Sodexo Discounts Scheme.
• Membership in the Mercer Aspire Pension Plan to help you save for your future.
• Learning and development opportunities to enhance your career growth.
• A Bike to Work Scheme, supporting both your fitness and the environment.

Ready to Be Part of Something Greater? If you’re looking for an opportunity where you can bring your passion, skills, and ambition to a company that truly values you, then this is it. Apply today and take the next step in your Sodexo journey.

Please note: Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications. Sodexo and our Clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (UK) and / or Disclosure Scotland (Scotland).