Job Description
Deputy Catering & Venues Manager (Internal Title: Deputy Venues Manager – Food)
Overview
Our client is seeking an experienced and motivated Deputy Catering & Venues Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations and strategic planning of multiple food outlets serving a vibrant community of over 25,000 students. This is an opportunity to take a key role in shaping a modern, high-quality and cost-effective catering offer that enhances the customer experience and meets evolving student expectations.
You will report to the Venues Manager and play an essential role in delivering exceptional food quality, strong customer service, and a welcoming environment. This is a hands-on leadership role, balancing operational oversight with team development and on-the-ground support.
Responsibilities
• Oversee daily operations across multiple food outlets, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality food and service.
• Lead and motivate a team including the Catering Supervisor, Catering Assistants and student staff.
• Contribute to termly and annual planning for catering services, including menu development and operational improvements.
• Maintain full compliance with food safety, hygiene standards and relevant legislation.
• Monitor financial performance, support outlet-level budget management and contribute to cost-effective decision-making.
• Manage stock, ordering processes and supplier relationships using digital systems.
• Support the creation of a positive, inclusive and customer-focused environment.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure catering services align with student needs, trends and organisational goals.
Requirements
• Experience in catering, hospitality or food and beverage management at supervisory or managerial level.
• Experience with outlet-level profit and loss monitoring is desirable.
• Strong people-management skills, with the ability to lead, motivate and support diverse teams.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety, hygiene practices and compliance requirements.
• Strong communication, organisational and IT skills, including familiarity with online ordering and stock-management systems.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment serving a diverse student community.
• Adaptability, problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to operational challenges.
Benefits
• Salary: £27,012 to £29,049 per annum.
• Generous annual leave package, including 24 days’ holiday plus closure days and bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• 10% employer pension contribution to a defined-contribution scheme.
• Travel benefits including discounted bus passes and Cycle-to-Work scheme.
• A dynamic, student-focused working environment with opportunities to contribute directly to community experience and service improvement.
Application Process
Applications can be submitted using a CV and cover letter. The closing date for applications is 9 December 2025, with interviews scheduled for 16 December 2025.
Feedback will not be provided for applicants who are not shortlisted.
Unfortunately, our client is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Our client is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Recruitment practices are designed to be fair, inclusive and aligned with equal-opportunity principles.