Hospitality Manager

Deliver Exceptional Hospitality as Hospitality Manager at Wellington College

Location: Wellington College, Duke's Ride, Crowthorne, Berkshire, RG45 7PU
Days/Shift Pattern: 5 out of 7 days: Early start at 7:00am and finishing as late as 10:30pm–11:00pm, depending on event requirements.
Total Hours Per Week: 40 hours
Salary: £31,000 per annum, plus excellent benefits

At Sodexo, we believe in delivering exceptional experiences, fostering meaningful relationships, and empowering our teams to thrive. We are seeking a passionate, proactive and people-focused Hospitality Manager to lead our hospitality operation at the prestigious Wellington College.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced hospitality professional to take ownership of a varied and fast-paced events operation within one of the UK's leading independent schools.

As Hospitality Manager, you will play a key role in delivering outstanding food and beverage service, overseeing events from initial planning through to completion, and ensuring every function runs smoothly and exceeds expectations.

Working closely with the Head of Hospitality and wider catering management team, you will lead, engage and motivate colleagues, build strong relationships with clients and guests, and continually look for opportunities to improve service standards.

You'll need excellent organisational skills, a creative approach to hospitality and the confidence to manage multiple priorities in a busy environment where attention to detail makes all the difference.

About Wellington College

Set within approximately 400 acres of beautiful Berkshire countryside, Wellington College is one of the UK's leading independent schools, renowned for academic excellence, sporting achievement and a rich co-curricular programme.

With a vibrant community and a busy calendar of events, the College provides an exceptional setting for delivering high-quality hospitality. From formal functions and special occasions to everyday hospitality services, the focus is on creating memorable experiences through excellent food, drink and customer service.

As Hospitality Manager, you will help maintain these high standards, ensuring every event reflects the quality and reputation of the College.

The Operation

The hospitality operation supports a varied programme of functions and events, requiring careful planning, strong teamwork and consistently high service standards.

You will help oversee the smooth running of hospitality services, ensuring that:

• Functions and service areas are prepared and set up correctly and on time.

• Food and beverage services meet the expectations of clients and guests.

• Teams are briefed, organised and ready to deliver excellent service.

• Stock, drinks and bar operations are managed accurately.

• Food safety, health and safety, and allergen procedures are followed consistently.

• Events are delivered efficiently, with potential challenges anticipated and resolved proactively.

During quieter periods, including school holidays, you will also support the wider catering operation, including services in the main dining hall.

What You'll Be Doing

As Hospitality Manager, you will take an active role in leading the team, managing events and maintaining operational excellence.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and motivating the team: Provide clear direction, support colleagues and create a positive working environment where everyone is encouraged to perform at their best.
• Managing events from start to finish: Oversee preparation, set-up, service and post-event feedback, ensuring every function is delivered professionally and on schedule.
• Delivering outstanding customer service: Liaise with clients during events, respond to requests and build strong, lasting relationships with customers and colleagues.
• Coordinating event preparation: Ensure all staff, equipment, food and beverage service areas are ready ahead of each function.
• Managing stock and beverages: Support ordering, monitor stock levels and ensure alcoholic beverages are accurately accounted for before and after events.
• Maintaining bar compliance: Ensure bar operations follow Wellington College's liquor licence requirements and the relevant due diligence procedures.
• Championing food safety and allergen management: Ensure HACCP, COSHH, food hygiene, health and safety and allergen procedures are consistently followed, including pre-service allergen briefings where required.
• Maintaining high operational standards: Ensure uniforms, personal presentation, equipment and service areas meet Sodexo and client expectations.
• Managing administration: Complete function sheets, KX entries, emails, telephone enquiries and other relevant operational records accurately.
• Promoting a safe working environment: Report accidents, incidents, near misses, maintenance issues and hazards, taking appropriate action when required.
• Developing your people: Support training, coaching, performance reviews and ongoing feedback to help colleagues develop their skills and confidence.
• Driving continuous improvement: Identify opportunities to improve service, introduce fresh ideas and help the operation respond positively to changing client needs.
• Supporting the wider catering team: Work collaboratively with colleagues across the site and assist with core catering services during quieter hospitality periods.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a confident, organised and enthusiastic hospitality professional who takes pride in exceptional service, enjoys leading a team and can remain calm and effective in a fast-moving environment.

You'll bring:

• Experience in hospitality, catering, events or a similar customer-focused environment.
• Experience supervising or leading a team, with the ability to motivate, coach and develop colleagues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence in dealing with clients, customers and stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple events and competing priorities.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to anticipate challenges before they affect service.
• Good attention to detail, particularly around event set-up, stock control, bar operations and service standards.
• An understanding of food safety, health and safety, COSHH and allergen management.
• Strong administrative and IT skills, including the ability to maintain accurate records and complete function documentation.
• A flexible, hands-on approach and the willingness to support the wider catering operation when required.
• A positive attitude towards learning, development and continuous improvement.
• The ability to lead by example and maintain high standards of personal presentation and professionalism.

Experience within an independent school, education catering or premium hospitality environment would be advantageous. Knowledge of beverage stock reconciliation, liquor licensing procedures and event cost control would also be beneficial.