Catering Contract Director
Education Sector - Independent School
Sussex - South East England
Salary: up to £80,000 + Excellent benefits
We're recruiting on behalf of a premier education catering partner for a flagship leadership opportunity at one of the most distinctive independent schools in the South East.
This is not your average Catering Contract Director role. You'll be the operational lead across a high-profile, year-round catering and hospitality service — delivering exceptional daily food service, premium internal hospitality, and a commercial events portfolio that includes weddings, concerts, and corporate functions and much more.
This is a standout role for an experienced operator who thrives in complex, high-profile environments and knows how to balance precision execution with high-level strategy.
The Role
* Lead a large, diverse team delivering all on-site food services, events, and hospitality.
* Oversee day-to-day operations across student dining, boarding meals, and staff catering.
* Project-manage and deliver a wide range of internal functions and external commercial events.
* Drive service standards, financial performance, and long-term growth
* Own full P&L responsibility and reporting to regional leadership.
* Build strong stakeholder relationships within a client-focused, service-led environment.
* Work cross-functionally with all support teams in HR, compliance, marketing, and procurement.
You Bring
* Extensive senior-level experience managing large-scale hospitality or catering operations.
* Proven P&L management over multi-million-pound contracts.
* Deep understanding of both educational environments and commercial venues.
* A hands-on leadership style that motivates teams and instils accountability.
* Strong client relationship skills and confidence working with senior stakeholders.