Director of Catering

Director of Catering (Strategy & Operations)

Brighton College & Brighton College Prep Handcross

Job Title: Director of Catering (Strategy & Operations) – Brighton College Group

 

Responsible To: Director of Operations / Regional Manager– Lodestone House

Location: Based at Brighton College, supporting Brighton College, Brighton College

Prep Handcross and any other associated Brighton College Schools as required.

Work Level: Senior Leadership / Strategic Account Level

Working Hours: 40 hours, 5 days over 7

Salary: Up to £72,000

Annual Leave Entitlement: 25 days + Bank Holidays

Contract: Permanent

 

Role Context

 

Lodestone House operates the catering and hospitality services at Brighton College,

one of the UK’s most prestigious independent schools and named School of the

Decade. Brighton College continues to expand its operations both within the UK and

internationally and represents a complex, high-profile and fast-paced catering and

hospitality environment.

This newly created senior leadership role oversees all catering and hospitality

operations and works in close partnership with the Head of Catering Operations

(Brighton College). The role exists to provide strategic direction, operational structure,

commercial grip and senior leadership across the Brighton College and Brighton

College Prep Handcross catering and hospitality operation, with the potential for

further growth in the future.

 

Brighton College & Brighton College Handcross

Brighton College is one of the UK’s most prestigious and forward-thinking independent

schools and has been recognised nationally as School of the Decade. Founded in 1845,

the College has built an outstanding reputation for academic excellence, pastoral care,

innovation and an unapologetically ambitious approach to education.

The College educates pupils from ages 3 to 18 and operates as a large, dynamic

community, combining day and boarding provision. It has consistently ranked at the

top of national league tables and is widely regarded as a benchmark for best practice

across the independent education sector.

Internal

Brighton College Prep Handcross educates pupils from nursery through to 13+, with a

strong emphasis on academic foundations, pastoral care and preparing pupils for

progression into senior independent education, including Brighton College.

Catering and hospitality are viewed as core to the pupil and staff experience, not simply

a support function. Food quality, service standards, nutrition, sustainability and

operational reliability are all critical to the College’s daily life and reputation.

The catering operation supports:

A large day and boarding pupil population across multiple age groups in central

Brighton and a Prep boarding school, based in Handcross

High-volume daily breakfast, lunch and supper services with over 3,000 meals

served per day across the group including customers with complex allergen and

intolerance needs

Extensive hospitality provision including:

• Formal dinners and receptions

• Sporting and cultural events

• Parent, alumni and donor events

• Conferences, summer schools and commercial lettings

• A busy calendar of evening and weekend activity

The operation is characterised by:

• High service expectations

• A strong focus on food quality, nutrition and sustainability

• Significant logistical complexity

• A requirement for absolute reliability alongside innovation and evolution

 

Overall Purpose of the Role

To provide strategic, operational and commercial leadership across the Brighton

College (which includes Brighton College and Brighton College Prep Handcross)

catering and hospitality operation, ensuring delivery of a seamless, best-in-class

service that reflects the College’s ambition, reputation and uncompromising

standards.

The role will set the strategic direction of catering and hospitality, lead and manage

complex catering projects, introduce and refine structure and process, support and

enable the Head of Catering Operations to deliver day-to-day excellence, and be fully

accountable for financial performance, and senior stakeholder reporting.

Internal

 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Direction.

Set and drive the strategic direction for catering and hospitality across Brighton College.

Translate Brighton College’s vision and values into a clear catering and hospitality strategy.

Act as a senior strategic advisor to Brighton College leadership.

Ensure alignment between Brighton College expectations and Lodestone House / Compass Group frameworks.

Operational Excellence

Oversee all catering and hospitality operations across Brighton College and Brighton College Prep Handcross.

Introduce clarity, structure and rhythm into operational planning.

Ensure consistently high standards of food quality, service and customer experience.

Project Leadership & Change Management.

Lead major catering and hospitality projects including service redesign, process implementation and offer evolution.

Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, with minimal operational disruption and within the agreed budget.

Establish clear project ownership, governance and delivery plans.

Manage risk, dependencies and stakeholder expectations throughout delivery.

Translate strategic intent into practical, deliverable outcomes.

Financial Accountability & Commercial Performance.

Full accountability for contract financial performance.

Lead monthly financial reporting, forecasting and variance analysis with the support of the Catering Financial Manager.

Prepare and present financial and operational proposals to Brighton College and internal leadership teams.

Data, Insight & Reporting

Use data to drive decision-making and performance improvement

Translate complex financial and operational data into meaningful insight

Ensure clear, accurate and trusted reporting

People Leadership & Organisation

Ensure the operation is correctly structured with the right capability in the right roles

Coach and support senior leaders including the Head of Catering Operations, Deputy Head of Catering

Build a culture of accountability, pride and continuous improvement

Client & Stakeholder Management

Build trusted relationships with Brighton College senior leadership

Act as a senior ambassador for Lodestone House and Compass Group Health, Safety & Compliance

Ensure full compliance with all food safety, health & safety and people policies

 

Working Pattern

This is a demanding senior leadership role within an extremely busy operation. While

predominantly Monday to Friday, evening and weekend working will be required to

support key operational and hospitality activity.

 

Why Join Lodestone House

This role offers a unique opportunity to operate at the highest level within independent

education catering. We believe in recognising and rewarding your contribution. Our

comprehensive benefits package includes (but is not limited to):

Benefits include:

Working for the UK’s leading foodservice organisation with global reach.

The ability to shape and influence strategy within a flagship independent school account.

Contributory pension scheme.

Career development through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes.

Digital GP access and healthcare support for you and your immediate family.

Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, (url removed) and more.

Grocery discounts with major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.

Up to 44% off cinema tickets

Cashback rewards on a wide range of brands

Free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes

Share your discounts with family and friends

25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays

Person Specification

Essential:

• Senior leadership experience within catering, hospitality or foodservice

• Proven financial and commercial accountability

• Strong stakeholder management and presentation skills

• Experience leading complex, high-profile operations

• Highly organised, solution-focused and resilient

Desirable:

• Independent education experience

• Project or change management experience

• Degree qualified or equivalent

• Chef or operational food background