APPLICATION PACK FOR THE POST OF DIRECTOR OF HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE SERVICES
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Contents 03 Welcome from the Foundation Principal 04 About Warwick Independent Schools Foundation 05 The Role 06 Job Description 08 Person Specification 10 Remuneration 10 The Application Process 10 How to Apply 11 Organisational structure 12 Our Facilities 13 Warwick & Surrounding Area
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Welcome from the Foundation Principal
Thank you for the interest you have shown in the role of Director of Hospitality and Leisure Services.
Our Foundation is unique. We are a large but united community, focused entirely on ensuring that the pupils in our care have the most exceptional of educational opportunities. All that we do has that mission at its heart. Working together, our aim is for our Foundation schools – individually and collectively – to be recognised as the most vibrant and exciting in the U.K. The successful candidate will join an ambitious, forward-thinking and future-centred organisation, ready to embrace both the challenges and opportunities for independent schools in the years ahead. As Foundation Director of Hospitality and Leisure, you will have a central role in creating, developing and implementing the Foundation’s strategies for delivering catering, events, conferences and sport centre services to ensure that our Foundation continues to thrive.
I hope you are inspired by what you read and will want to join us, to play a key part in our exciting future.
Richard Nicholson MA (Oxon) Foundation Principal
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About Warwick Independent Schools Foundation
The Warwick Independent Schools Foundation (the Foundation) proudly educates girls and boys from 3-18 years of age. We are one of the largest independent school charities in the country, with some 2,800 pupils and 800 staff, and are committed to providing an outstanding education for all our pupils; for our schools to be the first choice for those seeking independent education for their children; and to be an exceptional place to work. Our historic schools are Warwick Preparatory School and the King’s High School, which operate as a through-school for girls with a co-educational Pre- Prep, and Warwick Junior School and Warwick School, which operate as a through-school for boys. These schools are located on the Foundation’s 55- acre site in Warwick. Between them, they educate some 2,500 pupils, and offer a unique model of education in the Midlands: co-education for our pupils aged 3 to 7, and single-sex education from age 7 onwards. This provides ‘the best of both worlds’ for our pupils: teaching specifically tailored to their needs with extensive learning opportunities to collaborate outside the classroom.
In a new and exciting development for the Foundation, we are delighted to have welcomed The Kingsley School, Royal Leamington Spa into our family of schools in 2021. Kingsley is an established and highly regarded school for girls (3-18) and boys (3-7). Kingsley will continue to operate from its site in Leamington. More information about the schools may be found on their websites: www.warwickprep.com www.kingshighwarwick.co.uk www.warwickschool.org www.thekingsleyschool.co.uk The Foundation is an active membership of the following associations: • AGBIS
• GSA • HMC • IAPS • ISBA
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The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic team leading on the delivery of hospitality and leisure services across our schools. This newly created role will oversee development and implementation of our strategy to integrate delivery of catering, conferences, events and sports centre services. You will be responsible for enhancing our in-house event programme and school activities alongside developing new revenue opportunities. You will oversee the process for managing all bookings and events, both internal and external, ensuring the highest possible delivery in line with the brand. Predominantly, this role will work across the schools on the Warwick Campus.
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Job Description
This is a senior management role within the Foundation, created to ensure the delivery of the highest quality services for our Foundation’s internal and external customers.
Balancing operational and strategic priorities, the Director of Hospitality and Leisure has responsibility for the management, development, marketing and quality control of the internal as well as the community and commercial activities of the Foundation including those held at in our magnificent dining facilities, performance venues including Warwick Hall and the Bridge House Theatre, the schools’ Sports Halls and Swimming Pool. The challenge of the role is managing a trade-off between the schools’ resource requirements for delivering their educational provision, the Foundation’s commitment to supporting the local community through sharing resources, and the Foundation’s need to use its assets appropriately to generate profit to support its educational mission. This is a new role which reports to the Foundation Bursar, working in close partnership with our school teams across the Foundation. The postholder will be a member of the Foundation’s Shared Services Management Team and will be involved in and contribute to general Foundation business, strategy and development
Overall Responsibilities
You will be responsible for the management of all school events as well as all external lettings
Line Management of: •
Food Operations team;
Conference team;
• • •
Community Activities team and ;
Sports Centre teams.
You will: •
manage, develop and motivate senior staff in each department to ensure high functioning teams, conducting regular reviews of staff performance to ensure that individuals and teams are operating to deliver the Foundation's broader strategic priorities. • provide effective leadership to ensure that diverse departments work together as a cohesive team. • manage events and lettings of all Foundation facilities, both within the Foundation schools and to the wider local community. • promote the commercial and community use of Foundation facilities in line with the Foundation’s lettings strategy. • Develop effective mechanisms to gather feedback from users, as part of a system of continuous improvement. Strategy You will: • prepare written reports for Governors and Senior Leaders regarding projects, strategy, budgets and other matters as required.
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• lead on the development and delivery of a Foundation wide community use and commercial lettings strategy, supporting the goals of the overall Foundation Strategy.
Budget Management You will: • have oversight of Hospitality and Leisure budgets.
• have budgetary control of the operational departments, ensuring that all departments are actively engaged in the annual financial planning cycle, and have a good understanding of budgets, forecasts and variances. • identify and implement efficiency savings across all operational departments within your control.
Environmental Sustainability You will:
• support the development and implementation of the Foundation's Environmental sustainability strategy. • ensure that all events, lettings and other activities are managed with consideration of the environmental impact. Communication and Performance Management You will: • be the conduit for effective communication between Senior Leadership Team, your Heads of Departments, and other relevant staff, on day to day matters, budgetary issues, and when events are being planned and delivered. • deliver effective periodic performance reviews for direct reports and oversee their personal development and training needs. • Provide leadership to all staff within your team; ensuring that the necessary skill and competency levels are in place, developed or acquired. • continuously review the skills mix to ensure that the Foundation is able to operate as an informed client in all aspects of its estate and facility management activities. • Represent the Foundation on Hospitality and Leisure related matters and in dealings with the Foundation Board, District, County and National Authorities and other external organisations. • Report whenever required to the Foundation Board and/or Principals’ Group on all Hospitality and Leisure related matters. Other • To respond to other requests from time to time, according to the changing needs of the Foundation. • Given the senior nature of the role, there is a need for flexibility to meet the changing requirements of the job role. The job holder is expected to work flexibly and for such reasonable hours as are necessary in order to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the post.
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Additional duties • The post holder must comply with the Data Protection Act 1988, the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and all other policies operating at the school. • To report any Health & Safety problems to the Health & Safety Manager. Safeguarding and Protection of Children and Young Persons In accordance with the Children’s Act 1989, on appointment post holders will be required to commit to their responsibilities with regards to safeguarding. In addition, offers of appointment will be subject to an enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). These checks will highlight cautions, reprimands and final warnings as well as any convictions. The post holder must not have any spent or unspent convictions that would prevent working with children.
All staff are required to adhere to the School Policy on safeguarding and undertake training as required and ensure the safeguarding and well-being of children and young people at the school, in accordance with School policies.
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Person Specification
Essential
Desirable
• High levels of numeracy and literacy • Experience of running indoor and outdoor events. • Experience of financial management and budgeting • Project management experience (in respect of properties) and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks and have a proactive approach to ensure deadlines are met. • Knowledge and experience of bidding for a budget, managing costs and expenditure to achieve best value and delivering projects within agreed budgets. • Excellent relationship building skills with internal and external stakeholders. • The ability to build and maintain positive and lasting relationships with a wide range of people. • Project management – able to bring resources together to achieve a common goal in an effective way. • Planning– able to accurately scope out length and difficulty of tasks and projects. Sets objectives and goals. Measures performance against goals. • Effective client liaison skills; Working with external partners – local companies, fulfilment partners, event companies, suppliers. • Proven ability to liaise, co-ordinate and disseminate quality information across a range of disciplines. • People management – a leader and team player, with the skills to get the most out of the people who work with you, and for you. • Effective team building skills and experience in relationship development. • The ability to manage under pressure and work to targets and tight deadlines • Excellent change management and leadership skills • Proven ability to operate at a strategic level • A client-focused approach to operational strategy and service delivery with the ability to engage with and influence business strategy; anticipating and determining the direction and priorities of strategic thinking in a complex environment with competing demands • Personal and professional commitment to the Foundation’s vision and core values and an ability to articulate these meaningfully to staff at all levels to inspire exceptional performance • Clear ability to actively participate as a member of Foundation Committees and to represent the Foundation externally • An effective management style that reflects an understanding of managing people, their personal development and welfare
• A good first degree or significant relevant experience • Experience in Education.
Qualification Experience/ Knowledge
Skills/Abilities
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• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and high-level IT and financial skills • Ability to produce detailed and accurate reports and plans for Senior Managers and Governors to enable effective decision making to take place. • High standards of personal and professional integrity • Flexible approach to hours of week to meet requirement of job role • Understands their role in the context of safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults • Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
• Understanding of the requirements of Equality and Diversity
Equal Opportunities
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Remuneration
How to apply
Competitive salary dependent on experience
For a confidential discussion and details of how to apply, please contact our retained advisor Hayley Mintern hayley.mintern@mrgpeople.co.uk
Other benefits: • Competitive contributory pension scheme. • Staff fee remission at our Warwick Campus • 30 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays per annum • Complimentary lunch and refreshments • Free parking
Deadline for submissions: 12 noon Monday 17 th January
An interview will include questions about safeguarding children. The appointment will depend on satisfactory DBS clearance. The Warwick Independent Schools Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any concerns should be reported in accordance with the Foundation’s Child Protection policy. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion The Warwick Independent Schools Foundation is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective, and in this position you will actively support an environment and culture that values diversity and inclusion.
• Use of the Sports Complex for staff. • A strong, supportive staff community.
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Organisational Structure
The Foundation Principal is Mr Richard Nicholson, who was previously the Head Master of King’s High School. He acts as CEO with direct accountability to the Board for the Foundation and all its activities. The Director of Hospitality and Leisure Services reports directly to the Foundation Bursar, Mrs Victoria Espley who joined the Foundation in September 2021 and who is responsible for oversight of financial, administrative and operational services across the Foundation and its schools.
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Our Facilities
Warwick Campus Home to some 2,500 pupils aged 3-18, the 55-acre campus boasts outstanding and cutting-edge facilities for all our pupils. The campus has received significant investment over recent decades, including Warwick Hall, which was completed in 2016. The most recent development – ‘Project One Campus’ – the relocation of King’s High from its historic town-centre site to join Warwick Preparatory School and Warwick School on one spacious, green campus. This has seen facilities developed and enhancements for all and has included: • A new home for the pupils of King’s High School. • A new shared Sixth Form Centre for both Warwick and King’s High School students to enjoy for shared curriculum enrichment and social activities. • New and enhanced sports facilities, including a 3G rugby pitch for Warwick School, four netball and five tennis courts.
• A new, shared Music School for the pupils of King’s High and Warwick Preparatory School. • Improved play-space for Warwick Preparatory School, including a new nursery garden and ‘forest school’. • New parking facilities and enhanced traffic management. • New landscaping, creating a series of pedestrianised Quads. Leamington Campus The Kingsley School is home to over 300 pupils. Situated in the centre of Leamington, the excellent facilities include the Prep School, Senior School, and a dedicated Sixth Form Centre. 12 acres of playing fields are just a few minutes’ drive away, and include a pavilion and netball and tennis courts. Investments over recent years have included a suite of refurbished science laboratories, a re-equipped food technology room, play space for Prep School pupils, and the refurbishment of the sixth form centre.
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Warwick & Surrounding area
Warwick itself is a charming, historic town, famous for its impressive castle whose soaring turrets dominate the town centre. Steeped in medieval history and a popular tourist destination, Warwick boasts a thriving social scene with many boutique shops and excellent bars and restaurants.
The delightful Regency town of Royal Leamington Spa adjoins Warwick, with its wide boulevards and grand architecture, is a thriving town, with excellent facilities for families.
Stratford Upon Avon and its outstanding theatres are just a 25-minute drive away. The Cotswolds are also within easy reach, offering tranquil walks in rolling hills and villages of honey-coloured stone.
For further cultural opportunities, Birmingham is half an hour by train and offers everything you would expect from a major and vibrant city. With a packed calendar of events hosted by its many international venues, Birmingham is also first-class for shopping, dining and nightlife.
The area has excellent transport links. Leamington and Warwick both have mainline railway stations. Birmingham International Airport is just 25 minutes’ drive.
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