Catering and Hospitality Director (Contract Director)

Job Introduction

As Contract Director you will be responsible for the provision of a professional, 5* catering service for a world leading girls boarding school, a place where academic excellence, empathy and integrity thrive. This is an exceptional opportunity and one which will allow you to give strategic direction in the delivery of 5* catering, hospitality and event services (inc weddings) and develop a long term partnership with our client to continuously improves services and role model outstanding customer service.

This is a prestigious contract which offers a beautiful working environment with excellent catering facilities in which to showcase your leadership skills and business acumen. The role is suited to operational experts in the catering and hospitality sector, teamed with strong management skills and a strategic focus on high standards of service excellence.

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Role Responsibility

• Effective management of a high profile Independent boarding school, providing strategic leadership and team engagement, plus consultation on offer development across catering, hospitality and extensive eventing services
• Lead, develop and engage a large workforce and 4 direct reports to manage the day to day operation which includes catering for up to 1,000 students across breakfast, lunch and supper plus hospitality services which include VIP dinners, weekend sports teas, client entertaining, weddings, events and functions.
• Fostering long term profitable relationships with the client, driving the current business and developing future opportunities
• Develop business strategy in line with current and emerging client needs.
• Provide direction and expertise to the operating area by promoting Sodexo strategies and best business practices in order to uphold the Company mission and values
• Become a recognised leader within the business and respected specialist in specific market sectors and by specific clients
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement of people, systems and processes.
• Support the marketing team in identifying opportunities with other clients to maximise profit and growth.

The Ideal Candidate

• Senior leadership experience and expertise in catering, event and hospitality services
• Experience within an Independent school or 5* environment an advantage
• Track record of operational excellence
• Proven experience of developing profitable client and customer relationships
• Strong communication, high influencing and negotiation skills
• Full P&L performance management
• Experience working in a standards/compliance  environment
• It is desirable that the individual has membership of relevant professional body

Package Description

H2 package - With bonus and flexible benefits

As part of our commitment to improving the quality of life for our employees, Sodexo offers a Flexible Benefits Scheme, allowing the individual to tailor a reward  package to suit their needs but includes a technology scheme, private dental insurance, travel insurance, gym membership, Gourmet card ,private medical insurance and the ability to purchase or sell annual leave. We also have a Sodexo Discount scheme, which offers employees and their friends and family the opportunity to benefit from over 1,200 discounts from top retailers both online and in-store.

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young persons and vulnerable adults. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland (Scotland).