Hospitality & Events, University of Chester
Base: Exton Park | Salary: £26,093 –£28,031 (OS5)
Hours: 36.5 per week, 5 days over 7 (rota)

Are you passionate about delivering great customer service? Do you thrive in fast-paced hospitality environments? We’re looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Team Leader to join our Catering Services team at the University of Chester.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the smooth running of our front-of-house services, ensuring students, staff, visitors and conference guests receive an exceptional dining experience every day.

Why join us?

• Be part of a friendly, supportive and experienced team
• Opportunities to develop your skills and progress within Hospitality & Events
• A varied role across student dining, conferences and high‑profile University functions
• Uniform provided
• Generous holiday entitlement and access to University pension schemes
• A stable, permanent role with great work–life balance

About the role

As a Team Leader, you will help oversee the day‑to‑day activities of our front‑of‑house catering operations. Working closely with Supervisors and the Catering Operations Managers, you will play a key role in staff coordination, customer service and ensuring our high standards of food safety and hygiene are consistently maintained.

Your duties will include:

• Supervising Catering Assistants and supporting them in their daily duties
• Ensuring staff breaks, presentation standards and working practices are met
• Acting as a designated signatory for deliveries and reporting issues where required
• Setting up, serving and clearing down dining areas and serveries
• Supporting conference and special event catering
• Taking till transactions and operating a register
• Monitoring cleaning, hygiene and food safety standards, including temperature checks
• Helping maintain efficient, customer‑focused service across all catering outlets

You may also be expected to step up in the absence of managers, providing valuable leadership support.

About you

We’re looking for someone who brings energy, reliability and a strong customer‑focused attitude. You will have:

Essential:

• NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent)
• NVQ Level 3 (or willingness to work towards it)
• A full driving licence
• Experience working in a catering or similar environment
• Great communication skills and the ability to work well within a team
• Strong customer service skills
• The ability to stay calm under pressure
• Good personal hygiene and attention to detail
• Flexibility and a positive, adaptable approach to work

Desirable:

• Waiting‑on experience
• Experience supervising staff
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate