Executive Head Chef

Royal Agricultural University; Cirencester; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Agricultural University is seeking an Executive Head Chef to lead the campus dining operations in Cirencester, overseeing student dining, retail catering, hospitality, conferencing and events. This is a senior leadership role focused on culinary direction, menu development and delivering exceptional customer experiences.

You will drive the food strategy, lead a high-performing kitchen team, innovate menus, promote sustainable practices and support revenue growth across catering and

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior culinary leadership role.
• Experience leading teams across multiple service areas.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Commitment to sustainability, responsible sourcing and reducing environmental impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary teams across student dining, retail catering, hospitality, conferencing and events.
• Develop and deliver the University's food strategy and menus.
• Drive innovation, sustainability, customer satisfaction and commercial performance.
• Balance creativity with operational excellence and financial discipline.

Job description

Executive Head Chef

Location: Cirencester, GL7 6JS

Salary: From £38,784 per annum

Contract: Permanent, full time (35 hours per week, including evenings and weekends)

Be part of something special

The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) is one of the UK's leading specialist universities, set within a beautiful Cotswold campus and renowned for its strong connection to food, farming, sustainability and rural enterprise. As we continue to enhance our Campus Experience and commercial services, we are seeking an ambitious and innovative Executive Head Chef to lead the next chapter of our award-winning food offering.

About the role

This is a key leadership role within the Campus Experience team, responsible for shaping and delivering the University's culinary vision across student dining, retail catering, hospitality, conferencing and special events. The Executive Head Chef will lead our food production teams while driving innovation, sustainability, customer satisfaction and commercial performance.

Working closely with the Food & Beverage Operations Manager and Conference & Events Business Manager, you will play a central role in developing food and beverage experiences that enhance student life, support our commercial ambitions and celebrate the University's agricultural heritage.

You will lead the development and delivery of the University's food strategy, inspiring and developing a high-performing kitchen team. You will drive innovation through menu development, seasonal offers and sustainable food practices, while using customer insight and operational data to improve performance and enhance the customer experience. You will also support revenue growth across catering, hospitality, conferencing and event operations, working collaboratively across Campus Experience to create exceptional food and beverage experiences. Quality, provenance, sustainability and industry best practice will be central to your approach.

You will play a central role in shaping how food contributes to the University's reputation, student experience and commercial success, balancing creativity, operational excellence and financial performance.

About you

You will bring significant experience in a senior culinary leadership role within a complex catering, hospitality or food service environment, together with a strong track record of delivering commercial performance, cost control and continuous improvement. You will have experience leading and developing teams across multiple service areas and a genuine passion for food, innovation and delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills will be essential, alongside experience of developing menus, food concepts and service improvements that respond to changing customer needs. You will have strong commercial and financial awareness, with the ability to use data and insight to inform decision-making. A commitment to sustainability, responsible sourcing and reducing environmental impact is also important.

Experience within Higher Education is desirable but not essential. What matters most is your ability to lead, inspire and deliver a food offer that people actively choose and champion.

Closing date: 23 September 2026

Interview dates: 7 October 2026

The Royal Agricultural University is an equal opportunities employer and particularly welcomes applications from Black and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are underrepresented within the University at this level.