General Manager - Halls of Residence

Compass Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality services provider is seeking a General Manager to oversee multi-site operations at the University of London. The ideal candidate will have senior management experience in contract catering with a strong focus on student satisfaction and operational excellence. You will lead catering operations while ensuring compliance with safety standards and managing teams of over 70. Join us and make a significant impact on service delivery and student engagement at a prestigious university. Great benefits and personal development opportunities included.

Benefits

Personal Development and Training opportunities

Life assurance scheme

Pension scheme

Holiday allowance

Access to Healthcare Support App

Eye care

Employee Assistance Programme

Family friendly support

Regular social events

Holiday purchase scheme

Volunteering days

Professional subscriptions

Recognition schemes

Long service awards

High street discount vouchers

Qualifications

• Senior management experience in contract catering or hospitality.
• Ability to manage teams of 70+.
• Proven P&L accountability on contracts over £4 million.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-site catering and residential operations.
• Manage budgets, P&L, and procurement to hit financial targets.
• Deliver themed events and initiatives to enhance student life.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and health standards.
• Build strong relationships with university stakeholders.
• Recruit and develop high-performing teams.

Skills

Leadership

Budget Management

P&L Accountability

Stakeholder Management

Job description

Overview

Great food in the workplace isn't simply about fuel. It's about increasing productivity and improving performance; it's about happy motivated people and inspiring environments. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do—we live to bring food and people together.

We are brave, bold and curious adventurers in food and drink. Never shy of being different, always challenging the conventional.

Our passionate team of chefs, baristas, servers, nutritionists and much more, love nothing more than creating memorable moments that enrich the everyday. Come and join our award winning teams - we are currently recruiting for a General Manager to join our team at University of London.

General Manager - Halls of Residence

Location: University of London, Central London - 5 campuses across Bloomsbury area

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for hospitality, operational excellence, and student experience? We're seeking a General Manager to oversee our multi-site Halls of Residence at the University of London.

In this role, you will lead catering operations, residential services, and student engagement initiatives, ensuring top-quality food, service, and compliance across all sites.

You'll work closely with our executive chef, unit managers, and university partners to drive innovation, efficiency, and a first-class student experience.

What you'll do

• Lead and develop multi-site catering and residential operations.
• Manage budgets, P&L, procurement, labour, and waste to deliver financial targets.
• Deliver themed events, pop-ups, and initiatives to enhance student life.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, health & safety, and governance standards.
• Build strong relationships with university stakeholders, driving service excellence and operational alignment.
• Recruit, coach, and develop high-performing teams.

What we're looking for

• Senior management experience in contract catering, multi-site operations, or hospitality, ability to manage teams of 70+
• Proven P&L accountability and operational leadership on contracts over £4million+
• Strong student-focused mindset, with excellent people and stakeholder management skills.

Why join us

This is your chance to shape the student experience, lead a talented team, and make a tangible impact on service delivery and engagement at a prestigious university.

What's in it for you?

• Personal Development and Training opportunities
• Life assurance scheme
• Pension scheme
• Holiday allowance
• Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
• Eye care
• A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
• Family friendly support
• Regular social events and communication with our leaders
• A holiday purchase scheme
• Volunteering days
• Professional subscriptions
• Recognition schemes and people awards
• Long service awards
• Access to some great high street discount vouchers