Head of Hospitality & Lifestyle - #2195350

Head of Hospitality & Lifestyle - St Mary's Care Homes

St Mary's Care Homes is committed to providing high-quality, person-centred care, where residents feel valued, comfortable and at home.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Head of Hospitality & Lifestyle to lead and develop hospitality, catering and lifestyle standards across our care homes.

This is an influential role, focused on enhancing the everyday experience of our residents through excellent food, welcoming environments, high standards of service and meaningful activities that promote wellbeing, choice and quality of life.

The Role

Reporting to the senior leadership team, you will provide specialist guidance, leadership and oversight across hospitality, catering, housekeeping and lifestyle services.

Working closely with Home Managers and wider teams, you will establish consistent standards, share best practice and support our homes to continually improve the experience they provide for residents.

This is a specialist leadership role rather than a direct management position, requiring someone who can influence, support and inspire teams across multiple homes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop hospitality, catering, housekeeping and lifestyle standards across St Mary's Care Homes.
• Enhance the resident experience through excellent food, dining, service and welcoming environments.
• Ensure menus meet residents' nutritional requirements, individual preferences and assessed needs.
• Oversee IDDSI compliance, ensuring the safe and consistent delivery of modified diets and fluids.
• Support Home Managers and teams to deliver engaging lifestyle programmes and meaningful daily experiences.
• Source and manage suppliers, ensuring quality, value for money and reliable service.
• Develop preferred supplier arrangements and improve consistency across the homes.
• Monitor audits, feedback, complaints and incidents relating to hospitality, nutrition and lifestyle, identifying and addressing areas for improvement.
• Support regulatory compliance and inspection readiness.
• Work collaboratively with Home Managers and Clinical, Quality, Operations and Estates teams.
• Share best practice, develop standards and drive continuous improvement across the homes.

About You

You will be an experienced hospitality professional with a strong leadership presence and a genuine passion for improving the lives of older people living in care.

Essential:

• Senior experience in hospitality, catering or lifestyle leadership, ideally across multiple sites.
• Chef qualification with strong knowledge of food standards, preparation and nutrition.
• Proven experience managing IDDSI requirements and nutritional compliance.
• Strong commercial awareness, including supplier relationships, purchasing and cost management.
• The ability to influence, support and develop teams across multiple locations.
• Excellent communication, organisational and relationship-building skills.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel regularly across our care homes.

Desirable:

• Experience within care homes, healthcare or other regulated environments.
• Qualification in hospitality management, leadership or health and social care.
• A track record of improving service standards, dining experiences and resident wellbeing.

What We Offer

• An influential senior role with the opportunity to shape hospitality and lifestyle services across St Mary's Care Homes.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to residents' daily lives and experiences.
• A supportive senior leadership team and collaborative working environment.
• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.

If you are passionate about hospitality, food and creating exceptional experiences for older people, we would love to hear from you.