Vocational learning and Café Manager

Pathways Education; Hindhead; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative educational organization in Hindhead seeks a Vocational Learning and Café Manager to oversee café operations and mentor young people. This role involves managing a dynamic team, designing tailored educational experiences, and providing hands-on support to students. Ideal candidates will have team management experience and strong communication skills, and a relevant teaching qualification is desirable. The position offers a collaborative work environment and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Dynamic work environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing a team or small project.
• Experience working or teaching with young people.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a flexible curriculum for students.
• Oversee daily café operations ensuring excellent service.
• Manage a small team and develop project plans.

Skills

Team management

Curriculum design

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Teaching qualification (e.g. PGCE)

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

col-narrow-left

Client:

Pathways Education

Location:

Job Category:

Other

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

col-narrow-right

Job Reference:

1276b555b3ca

Job Views:

Posted:

Expiry Date:

26.09.2025

col-wide

Job Description:

DescriptionEmployerLocation

About Us

“The real key to transforming education is not to standardize it, but to customize it to the needs of each child.”

At Pathways, we believe that the best education isn’t confined to desks or exam halls — it’s lived, hands-on, and deeply human. We don’t see alternative education as a last resort. We see it as what all education should aspire to be: creative, learner-led, rooted in relationships, and rich with real-world meaning.

Our café is more than just a place to serve great coffee — it’s a training ground. We provide real-world experience and one-to-one mentoring for young people, particularly those who thrive in practical, supportive environments. Through hands-on learning, guided support, and meaningful connections, we help young people build confidence, develop essential life and employability skills, and move toward brighter, more purposeful futures.

The Role

As our Vocational Learning and Café Manager, you’ll be at the heart of this vision — running a vibrant café while mentoring and guiding young people as they grow in confidence, develop practical skills, and discover a sense of purpose through meaningful work.

As Vocational Learning and Café Manager, you’ll play a key role in delivering our business-led alternative provision model. By leading the day-to-day operations of our café and mentoring young people within a real working environment, you’ll support the development of essential employability skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Your guidance will help students build self-esteem, raise aspirations, and prepare for reintegration into school or transition into further training or employment. This role is about more than managing a café — it’s about creating a space where practical learning becomes a powerful bridge to brighter futures.

Key Responsibilities

Educational Leadership

•Design, implement, and review a flexible curriculum tailored to individual student needs, aiming for young people to gain industry based, employability and vocational qualifications

• Deliver engaging sessions in areas such as personal development, life skills, and vocational training

• Lead on the tracking of student progress, achievement, and wellbeing

• Liaise with referring schools, parents/carers, and external agencies

Café Management

• Oversee daily café operations, ensuring excellent customer service, hygiene, and safety standards

• Manage stock, ordering, and supplier relationships

• Supervise and support café staff and young people engaged in work placements

• Promote the café as a community hub and social enterprise

Project Management

• Line manage a small team, including café staff, support workers, and volunteers

• Develop and oversee project plans, budgets, and funding requirements

• Maintain safeguarding, health & safety, and compliance standards

• Champion the vision and ethos of the Café as a youth-centred, inclusive space

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience managing a team or small project (e.g., café, youth provision, education setting)

• Experience working or teaching with young people.

• Strong curriculum design and teaching/facilitation skills

• Excellent organisational, leadership, and communication skills

• Ability to work flexibly, creatively, and with resilience

Desirable

• Teaching qualification (e.g. PGCE, Cert Ed, QTLS) or relevant assessor/tutor training or be willing to work towards these

• Experience in hospitality or social enterprise settings

• Knowledge of safeguarding, Special Educational Needs, and youth development frameworks

• First Aid, Food Hygiene, or Mental Health First Aid certifications

What We Offer

• A dynamic, values-driven work environment

• The opportunity to make a lasting difference in young people’s lives

• Professional development and training opportunities

• Supportive and collaborative team culture

Safeguarding Statement

Pathways Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.