Senior Head Chef

Interview Dates: 5th April 2023 for round one interview, successful candidates from round one will be invited back on 12th April 2023
The University  

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.   

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.   

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here  
 
The Role and the Department  
“Passionately delivering an outstanding experience” 

We are a team of over 500, providing fresh and exciting catering throughout Durham University. This includes college dining halls, college bars, college cafés, visitor attractions and branded retail catering outlets. 

Our students are extremely important to us, but we also provide catering to University colleagues, commercial guests, and VIPs including royalty. 

 The Senior Head Chef will be responsible for supervising a large kitchen team. The post holder will be responsible for catering for high profile clientele, private dining external functions and banqueting. The Senior Head Chef must be able to develop existing teams to ensure that consistently exceptional standard of food and service is delivered. The Senior Head Chef will also assist the Community Executive Chefs with menu development, production, and implementation. The post holder will also assist with day-to-day cleaning of kitchen and catering equipment, receipt and storage of goods, checking and signing for deliveries 

 Catering team members will be expected to adopt and promote a flexible approach to working, and to undertake any or all the tasks outlined below regardless of their designated shift. 

Successful candidates are expected to always promote a positive image of University Catering and Durham University. 

 
Working at Durham  

 
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:   
 
•    27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year.  
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.  
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.  
•    On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays. 
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).  
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.   
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community  
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.   
•    We offer generous pension schemes.   

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion 

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.   As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It is important to us that all our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.  
 
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. 

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
 
Your application should cover the following criteria:  
 

Essential Criteria 

1.    Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. 

2.    Strong digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, with knowledge of online procurement systems, digital event booking system, project planning, financial systems.   

3.    Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience).    

4.    Experience of supervising / managing a team and/or a line management qualification. 

5.    Relevant industry and professional recognition and certification of achievement of skills and knowledge.  

6.    Experience of managing at senior level food production within a modern high volume catering environment, including high-profile functions. 

7.    Evidence of personal development to maintain skills. 

8.    Experienced service provider with knowledge and expertise used to contribute to the delivery and development of services, events and activities within the organisation. 

9.    Demonstrable ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues. 

10.    Experience of implementing policy and procedures and involvement with future changes for a service area. 

11.    Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes.   

12.    Ability to contribute to planning at operational level. 

13.    Experience of working to a given budget.

Desirable Criteria 

1.    Working knowledge of a computerised event booking system. 

How to apply  
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above.  Where there are desirable criteria, we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please do not forget to check if there are any weighted criteria (see above).  
 
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  
 
Submitting your application   
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails   
   
What you are required to submit:  
•    A CV   
•    A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all the criteria within the Person Specification    
   
 

Contact details   
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Dave Walker would be happy to speak to you. [email protected]  
 
Typical Role Requirements  

 
Service Delivery 
•    Responsible for organising and overseeing all day-to-day aspects of defined area of operational service delivery.  
•    Reactive and proactive service provision with others to deliver an excellent stakeholder experience.  
•    Implement and monitor protocols, procedures, processes, and regulations.  
•    Monitor and report incidents.  
•    Implement and monitor recognised procedures to ensure compliance and meet University values of inclusion, diversity, and participation.  
•    Responsible for keeping financial and budget records and reconciling consumable expenditure queries.  
•    Involved in the purchase and return of goods and services.  
•    Manage frontline stakeholder services in a variety of different buildings and environments and outlets across the University.  
•    Responsible for curating the set-up, order, display, and information pertinent to the service area and / or activity.  
•    Ensure the safety and security of service and public areas, responding to incidents and providing reports.  
•    A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values. 

•    Maintain wash up and food production areas and equipment to an exceptional standard of cleanliness.  

Planning and Organising 
•    Develop, plan, and deliver events and activities for students, staff, and visitors.  
•    Gather, record, and analyse customer feedback from all service users.  
•    Identify potential service improvements, make recommendations.  

Teamwork and Team Development 
•    Supervisory responsibilities for services, resources, and people.  
•    Provide induction and ongoing development support and training to team members.  
•    Contribute to the ADR (Annual Development Review) process, assisting with the identification of development needs where appropriate.  
•    Plan and organise own workload and allocate and monitor work activities for others.  
•    Act as first point of contact for HR issues when supervising a team.  
•    Train team members to develop skills to achieve excellence in the student/customer service experience.  
•    Coordinate and supervise team members with the delivery of service events and activities. 

Communication/Networking/Stakeholders 
•    Relationship building, network participation internally and externally to build and update knowledge and skills.  
•    Contribute to business meetings, working groups and committees to help shape service delivery and stakeholder expectations.  
•    Act as a recognised point of contact between the University and key internal and external stakeholders, including donors and employers.  
•    Contribute to internal and external presentations and public relations events promoting the Durham reputation and encouraging participation and income generation.  
•    Work with other functional areas and families across the University to ensure the most diverse and accessible promotion of services, events, and activities.  

•    Any other reasonable duties.  

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.  

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.