Head Chef - Worcester

Chartwells; Worcester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering firm in Worcester is seeking an ambitious Head Chef to oversee food service and drive innovation across four university campuses. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership experience in hospitality, a passion for culinary excellence, and a strategic approach to team development. Key responsibilities include inspiring the kitchen team, achieving financial targets, and enhancing student engagement. Competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package are offered.

Benefits

Free meals

Onsite parking

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programs

Digital GP access

Exclusive travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Up to 44% off cinema tickets

Cash rewards for spending

Wellness and mindfulness classes

Qualifications

• Proven experience of leading a team, ideally within education or hospitality.
• Strategic mindset to deliver day-to-day excellence while shaping long-term vision.
• Genuine passion for food and service to elevate experiences.

Responsibilities

• Inspire and develop the kitchen team for exceptional food and service.
• Deliver financial targets and identify opportunities for innovation.
• Work with marketing to develop engaging food experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Commercially astute

Influential leadership skills

Flexibility

Job description

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Free meals
• Onsite parking
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
• Working 5 out of 7 days

Looking for your next step… Join a growing catering team as the new Head Chef.

If you want to support the growth and development of the catering department then this role is for you.

We are seeking an ambitious Head Chef to lead our food and hospitality offer, driving operational excellence, culinary innovation, and student engagement across the Universities four campuses.

Why Join Us

We believe in recognising and rewarding your contribution. Our comprehensive benefits package includes (but is not limited to):

• On-site parking
• Free meal on shift
• Contributory pension scheme
• Career development through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Digital GP access and healthcare support for you and your immediate family
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and more
• Grocery discounts with major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets
• Cashback rewards on a wide range of brands
• Free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• Share your discounts with family and friends

The Role

This is a key leadership role, responsible for shaping and delivering the catering and hospitality vision. You will lead your team to provide exceptional daily service across the campus outlets and a rich hospitality calendar that includes formal dinners and celebrations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leadership: Inspire and develop the kitchen team to deliver an exceptional food and service experience for all staff and students, ensuring it’s fresh vibrant and taps in to industry and market trends.
• Commercial Excellence: Deliver financial targets within the kitchen, identify opportunities for innovation and efficiency, and ensure both operational and commercial success is achieved.
• Innovation & Engagement: Work with the Marketing Manager and Contract Director to develop and deliver an exciting engagement plan to include pop-ups, interactive cooking sessions and events. Drive student engagement through these, feedback forums, and student committees to ensure the offer evolves with their needs.
• People Development: Recruit, train, and inspire talented individuals, creating and embedding a culture of pride, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Operational Excellence: Uphold the highest standards of health & safety, compliance, food quality and service, ensuring every meal reflects the high standards expected.

About You

You will bring proven experience of leading a team, ideally within education, hospitality, or a similar sector. Commercially astute and operationally excellent, you will have:

• A strategic mindset with the ability to deliver day-to-day excellence while shaping long-term vision.
• A genuine passion for food and service, with the ability to elevate the everyday into something special.
• Influential leadership skills, able to inspire others.
• Business management within a kitchen environment, working to budgets, targets and deadlines.
• Flexibility, resilience, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, community-focused environment.

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/1711/96314001/52765651/R/SU #Universities & Colleges

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!