Domestic Bursar

NB. this is a summary of the full job description, which may be found on our website or below.

An exciting opportunity for a pro-active and dynamic manager to take on this newly created role at our busy school.

King’s College School takes great pride in its enviable reputation for high quality food and service and the excellent standard set for hospitality services.

The Domestic Bursar will take full responsibility for all elements of the catering and housekeeping functions. The role will entail managing and controlling an agreed annual budget, overall responsibility for 19 staff, overseeing menu compilation including special diets and nutritional requirements for approximately 550 pupils and staff at lunch time as well as up to 40 boarders and a number of Boarding House staff for breakfast, evening and weekend meals. 

The School is seeking an experienced manager with a proven track record gained in a catering and housekeeping environment. The Domestic Bursar is expected to lead by example and to set and maintain the high standards already established in both departments. They will need to balance staff and resources to deliver a high level of satisfaction amongst pupils, parents and staff.

Located in the heart of Cambridge with excellent facilities and benefits.

• Reporting to: School Bursar
• Hours: 40 hours per week excluding any unpaid breaks.
• Holidays: Generous
• Salary: Based on experience.
• Pension: The School operates a defined contribution pension scheme, which all support staff are eligible to join with immediate effect and to which the School and the member of staff both contribute. Contributions are currently 10% and 4% respectively.
• Start date: Mid August 2024

The catering team also prepares and presents food for various internal events and occasions; in support of various events, the Domestic Bursar will be expected to be flexible and may regularly work in the evenings and weekends in term time as required.

There are times when the choristers are in residence over, for example, Christmas and Easter, and therefore catering and housekeeping provision will be required as per an agreed staff rota.

The Catering and Housekeeping Departments

Bustling environments with a friendly combined team of 19 working together to feed the pupils and staff of King’s and deliver a high standard of cleaning with excellent attention to detail.

Person Specification

Qualifications (desirable)

• Catering 706/1 and 706/2 or equivalent
• Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate.

Experience (essential)

• Experience managing a large, busy catering unit. 500 meals plus per day.
• Proven successful budgetary and personnel management responsibility.
• Experience of compliance with legislation and regulations relevant to the position.
• Supervisory experience, able to lead a team of staff by example and motivating staff to deliver.

Experience (desirable)

• Experience of operating at a senior level within a high-quality organisation in the hospitality sector or equivalent.
• Experience of working in a school or similar environment with children and young people.

Skills & Ability (essential)

• A passion for quality service and food.
• Ability to communicate in a professional manner easily and effectively at all levels.
• Proficient IT skills with a willingness to attend further training.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgement and discretion and to act calmly and quickly in a pressured environment.
• Impeccable attention to detail.
• Flexibility and a willingness to work unsociable hours when required.
• A cheerful, willing, supportive and contributory team player. 
• A sympathetic attitude towards the ethos of a busy boarding and day school.

The Role

With overall responsibility for the entire Catering and Housekeeping team, you will ensure the highest standard of customer service and attention to detail is delivered.

Management of the Department

• To manage and direct the catering and housekeeping services.
• To manage all aspects of production and presentation of the School’s catering and housekeeping service, having regard for delivering excellent standards of health & safety, hygiene, nutritional value, allergen control, HACCP adherence, COSHH compliance and customer satisfaction.
• To manage the financial control of the department ensuring adherence to budgets.
• To implement, maintain and review all necessary records, systems and procedures to ensure the security and control of assets, resources and stock.
• To prepare, revise and submit budgets and other documentation to the School Bursar routinely and on demand.
• To manage the available resources so as to deliver value-for-money domestic services providing the best possible support for the core activities of the School.
• To manage the procurement of all food and cleaning supplies, negotiating with suppliers to ensure that best value is achieved for the School.
• To provide advice and guidance to the Senior Leadership Team (via the School Bursar) on the development of improved products and services.
• To implement, monitor and review departmental policies on an ongoing basis.
• To develop new initiatives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the department.
• To implement quality management plans, regulatory compliance and risk management procedures.

Catering and Housekeeping

• To ensure the provision of appropriate menu choices and a consistent high standard of breakfast, lunch and dinner service for pupils and staff.
• To regularly review and develop the menu to provide healthy, popular and enjoyable meals at breakfast, lunch and supper as well as breaktime services.
• To cater for varied special dietary needs; liaising with parents of pupils in coordination with the School Nurse.
• To manage food and cleaning product purchasing procedures, including completing regular supplier quality audits.
• Overseeing the provision of catering and housekeeping for special events.
• To oversee all front-of-house activity, including at functions and meetings.
• To develop defined cleaning routines and manage deep clean duties during school breaks.
• To ensure that exacting standards of hygiene and cleanliness are met and maintained at all times.

Benefits

• Meals provided when on duty during term time
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Staff health scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Use of School sports facilities
• The School participates in a pensions auto enrolment scheme.

How to apply

Candidates should return the following documents by 9am on Wednesday 12th June 2024:

• Application form together with a handwritten cover letter;
• Document detailing your reasons for applying and suitability for the role;
• Reference consent form;
• Equality and Diversity monitoring form (optional).

Please submit your application to: jobs@kcs.cambs.sch.uk.

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 17th June.