Hospitality Engagement Manager - Greenwich

Compass Group PLC; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider in the UK seeks a passionate Hospitality Engagement Manager to enhance meal uptake in schools. The role involves delivering engaging activities to promote healthy choices while collaborating with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have a culinary background and experience in food education. This position not only requires creativity and strong communication skills but also a genuine passion for working with children. Additional perks include a contributory pension, career growth programs, and exclusive discounts.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career growth programs

Healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Food shop discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards

Wellness classes

Discount sharing with friends

Qualifications

• Culinary background required.
• Experience delivering food education, engagement or culinary-based activities.
• Confident engaging with pupils, parents and clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of engagement activities across schools.
• Work closely with Operations teams to drive meal uptake.
• Track, analyse and act on uptake data.

Skills

Culinary background

Strong presentation and communication skills

Passion for food and healthy eating

Good IT skills

Education

Culinary or nutrition qualification

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a passionate and engaging Hospitality Engagement Manager to join the Chartwells Operations team. This role plays a vital part in increasing meal uptake, strengthening relationships with pupils, parents and clients, and supporting food education through the delivery of our Beyond the Chartwells Kitchen (BTCK) programme.

Working closely with operational teams, schools and stakeholders, you'll bring food to life through engaging activities, workshops and events that inspire healthier choices and celebrate great school food.

This is a hands‑on, people‑focused role, ideal for someone with a culinary or nutrition background who enjoys working directly with pupils, families and school communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of parent, pupil and BTCK engagement activities across schools, including parent taster sessions, school food council meetings, thumbs up, recipe trails and theme days, restaurant evenings, picnic events and parent forums.
• Work closely with Operations teams to drive meal uptake and food education targets.
• Proactively identify and support sites with uptake growth opportunities.
• Develop, implement and monitor engagement and uptake initiatives across the estate.
• Support the delivery of theme days, hospitality and celebration events.
• Track, analyse and act on uptake data to maintain consistently high participation.
• Support social value initiatives and waste management activities.

About You

You’ll be a confident communicator with a genuine passion for food, nutrition and working with children. Comfortable presenting to groups and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, you’ll be creative, organised and motivated by making a real difference in school communities.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Culinary background required.
• Culinary or nutrition qualification (City & Guilds 706/1 & 2, NVQ or AFN Registered).
• Passion for food, healthy eating and customer service.
• Experience delivering food education, engagement or culinary‑based activities.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Confident engaging with pupils, parents and clients.
• Good IT skills and ability to manage projects and initiatives.

Desirable

• Professional cookery or nutrition qualification.
• Food Safety training.
• Experience in a similar education or contract catering environment.
• High standards, quality‑driven approach and a positive, 'can‑do' attitude.

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK.

Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all employees to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children’s Barred List check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

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.

Benefits

• 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 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.
• Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes.
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families.