📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Account Director
🔹 Company: Aramark
🔹 Location: Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Hospitality & Catering
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-04
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading operational and financial performance of catering services
- Implementing strategic initiatives for business improvements
- Engaging and communicating effectively with teams and stakeholders
- Collaborating with senior leadership to develop market propositions
- Ensuring compliance with HR laws, hygiene, safety, and food safety requirements
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a dynamic leader with strong experience in a multi-site environment, excellent communication skills, and a keen eye for detail.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the operational and financial performance of the university's catering services
✅ Implement strategic initiatives to drive business improvements
✅ Engage, market, and communicate effectively with teams and stakeholders
✅ Collaborate with senior leadership to develop propositions for the higher education market
✅ Ensure compliance with all HR laws, hygiene, safety, and food safety requirements
✅ Conduct regular client reviews and support new business and retention activities
✅ Lead contract negotiations and identify opportunities for growth
✅ Maintain and develop strong client relationships
✅ Demonstrate strong commercial acumen in creating and managing operating models
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of strategic planning, client management, and operational oversight.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Not specified
Experience: A minimum of 3 years' management experience in a complex multi-campus environment
Required Skills:
- Proven track record in delivering budgeted profit levels
- Ability to demonstrate leadership and success
- Strong commercial acumen
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong business acumen and strategic planning skills
Preferred Skills:
- Previous experience in the Higher Education and/or retail industry
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in multi-site management, with a focus on operational excellence and financial performance.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £60,000 per year
Benefits:
- Generous annual leave that increases in line with service, with the opportunity to buy extra
- Contribution pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Employee benefit scheme
- Employee assistance programme
- Access to a network of trained mental health champions
- Opportunities for in-house events
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is competitive for the industry and role, and benefits are comprehensive and generous.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Hospitality & Catering, specifically focused on the Higher Education sector
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Enterprise-level)
Founded: 1936 (Aramark Corporation), with a significant presence in the UK since the 1980s
Company Description:
- Aramark UK is a leading provider of food, facilities, and uniform services to businesses and institutions across the UK
- The company serves a wide range of industries, including education, healthcare, business, and leisure
- Aramark UK is committed to creating moments that matter through exceptional hospitality experiences
Company Specialties:
- Patient & Retail Food Services
- Facility Services
- Environmental Services
- Asset Solutions
- Uniforms
Company Website: healthcareinsights.aramark.com/healthcareplus
ASSUMPTION: Aramark UK is a large, established company with a diverse range of services and a strong focus on customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Management
Reporting Structure: The Account Director reports directly to the Regional Director or a similar role within the organization
Work Arrangement: On-site, with potential for occasional travel to other sites within the region
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Regional Director or similar role within the organization
- Expansion of responsibilities within the current role as the business grows
- Opportunities to gain experience in different sectors or service lines within Aramark UK
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant potential for career growth and development within a large, established organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Multi-campus university environment, with the main office located in Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Office Location(s): Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- Hatfield is a town in the Hertfordshire district of England, located approximately 20 miles north of London
- The University of Hertfordshire, where this role is based, is a large, multi-campus institution with over 25,000 students
- The area offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with easy access to London and other major cities
Work Schedule: Full-time, with potential for occasional overtime or flexible working hours to meet business needs
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a strong focus on operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
- Final round interview with the Regional Director or a similar role within the organization
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Leadership and management skills
- Strategic planning and business acumen
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Industry-specific knowledge and experience
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral-based interview questions that focus on your leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills
- Research the company and the higher education sector to demonstrate your industry knowledge and enthusiasm for the role
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with multi-site management, budget management, and client relationship management
ATS Keywords: Account Director, Hospitality, Catering, Multi-Site Management, Budget Management, Client Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, Business Improvement, Higher Education, Leadership, Management
ASSUMPTION: The application process is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and experience throughout the interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics)
- Project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello)
- Budgeting and financial management software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets)
- Industry-specific software (e.g., catering management systems, point-of-sale systems)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant software and tools is essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer focus
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Results-driven
- Team-oriented
- Adaptable and resilient
- Customer-focused
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, multi-campus environment?
- Are you comfortable managing a large team and multiple sites?
- Can you balance strategic planning with day-to-day operational management?
- Do you have strong communication and interpersonal skills?
- Are you comfortable working with diverse stakeholders, including clients, team members, and senior leadership?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong fit with Aramark UK's company values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large, multi-campus operation with varying demands and priorities
- Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational management
- Dealing with diverse stakeholders, including clients, team members, and senior leadership
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Adapting to changes in the higher education sector and the broader hospitality industry
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong leadership, adaptability, and strategic planning skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Account Director (Hospitality & Catering) vs. Regional Manager (Food & Beverage): Both roles involve leading multi-site operations, but the Account Director role focuses more on strategic planning and client relationship management, while the Regional Manager role has a stronger emphasis on day-to-day operations and team management.
- Account Director (Hospitality & Catering) vs. Business Development Manager (Higher Education): Both roles require strong business acumen and strategic planning skills, but the Account Director role is more focused on operational excellence and client relationship management, while the Business Development Manager role is centered around new business development and market expansion.
- Account Director (Hospitality & Catering) vs. Operations Manager (Retail): Both roles involve managing multi-site operations, but the Account Director role requires a broader range of skills, including strategic planning, client relationship management, and business improvement, while the Operations Manager role is more focused on day-to-day operations, team management, and inventory management.
ASSUMPTION: While these roles share some similarities, the Account Director role in Hospitality & Catering is unique in its focus on strategic planning, client relationship management, and operational excellence.
📝 Sample Projects
- Implementing a new catering management system to improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction
- Developing and executing a strategic plan to increase revenue and market share within the higher education sector
- Conducting a comprehensive review of the catering services offered at a multi-campus university and recommending improvements to enhance the student experience and drive business growth
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic, operational, and customer-focused aspects of the Account Director role in Hospitality & Catering.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the organization's long-term growth plans for the higher education sector?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the catering services at this university, and how can this role address them?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how are they measured and tracked?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role, the organization, and the higher education sector, and helps you better understand the expectations and requirements of the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral-based interview questions that focus on your leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills
- Research the company and the higher education sector to demonstrate your industry knowledge and enthusiasm for the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
