Contract Director

Job Introduction

Independents by Sodexo have a fantastic opportunity for a Contract Director to join our talented team working from a prestigious Independent school in the Reading area.

We are looking for a client focused leader to join us ideally at the start of the new school year in September.

You will be experienced in managing client relationships, be detail focused and able to oversee the strategic planning of a first class catering provision.

People will be your focus, engaging your employees to continue to deliver a fantastic food offering, developing and nurturing talent as well as engaging with our client positively ensuring we are represented and instilling trust and confidence.

At Independents by Sodexo pupils' health and wellbeing is at the root of everything we do. We deliver fresh food to be proud of: food that will sharpen the mind, energise and rejuvenate the body. Our approach is one of partnership, our heritage and inherent family values breathe through our experienced team, empowering a naturally entrepreneurial and agile approach, but always consistently.

This role is subject to Safer Recruitment checks and the successful applicant will be required to complete a DBS.

Role Responsibility

• To be a visible and trusted Contract Director.
• To engage in all relevant meetings as the senior onsite Sodexo representative as required by the school.
• To liaise with all key stakeholders across the school – to give one point of contact and inspire trust and confidence.
• To oversee the strategic planning of and execution of a “best in class” catering, hospitality, and events provision.
• To provide strong leadership to senior management team including Executive Development Chef, Catering Manager and Hospitality Supervisor
• To be client and customer centric – seize every opportunity, with client interactions, to show professionalism and credibility as a subject matter expert.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• Experience in the hospitality industry within a high quality, high volume, seven-day environment
• Strong level of literacy and numeracy
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Exceptional leaderships skills and able to manage complex and multiple stakeholder relationships
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to be an effective team player
• Flexible, with the ability to work under pressure and across a range of shifts and service times
• Strong ability to increase individuals’ effectiveness through leadership, motivation, communication, coaching and training
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Ability to set and maintain high standards consistently
• A love of great food and great people
• A commitment to self-improvement and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. This role 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.

Package Description

In return for your commitment and hard work, you will be rewarded with an attractive salary of circa £55,000, plus access to our extensive benefits package, which includes:

• Contributory pension scheme of up to 6%
• Life assurance
• £1300 flexible benefits fund
• 23 days holiday (FTE) – including bank holidays – rising to 26 days after 3 years
• A buy and sell holiday scheme of up to 3 days (FTE)
• Volunteering days via our charity partner STOP HUNGER
• Numerous voluntary benefits, including dental care, gym discounts, retail / hospitality, and many more

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs around 30,000 people, and partners with clients in many sectors across business and industry; schools and universities; sports and leisure; energy and resources; government and agencies; healthcare; justice and defence.

Sodexo’s connected; people-centric approach brings together a diverse range of expertise. The breadth of services it offers ranges from food and hospitality; cleaning; reception; concierge (Circles); security; property management and technical services through to data driven workplace strategy and design (Wx); employee engagement and recognition services (Sodexo Engage) and personal home services through Prestige Nursing + Care and the Good Care Group.

Vital Spaces is Sodexo’s value proposition that puts people at the heart of everything we do, bringing together services and solutions and focusing on the productivity and wellbeing of people wherever they are.

Sodexo is committed to being an inclusive employer; we welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process