Mobilisation Project Lead
Location: Mundells, Welwyn Garden City, Hybrid
Salary Range: £42,000 - £47,000 per Annum (DOE)
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Reports to: Mobilisation, Training & Improvement Manager
HCL are leading contract caterers with a focus on school feeding. We have a commitment to deliver high-quality, nutritious, and engaging food experiences for children and staff across our primary schools, secondary schools, and commercial sites. We pride ourselves on our dynamic culture and our commitment to excellence. As the organisation expands into larger MATs and multi-site education contracts, the Mobilisation & Project Lead provides hands-on project coordination, administration, and insight across mobilisation activity and improvement initiatives.
The role ensures that larger scale mobilisation work is structured, well-governed, and delivered on time by coordinating teams, maintaining key project controls, and acting as a central point for information, reporting, risks, and operational feedback.
The role offers a unique opportunity to impact the health and well-being of children while championing HCL’s mission to make food a vital part of the educational experience.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Lead End-to-End Mobilisation for MAT and Multi-Site Contracts
Own the planning and execution of mobilisation activity for MATs and multi-site education contracts, ensuring all operational, HR, training, and compliance requirements are delivered on schedule. Conduct or review initial site audits and maintain mobilisation plans, trackers, checklists, and readiness documentation.
Act as the Primary Point of Contact for MAT/Trust Stakeholders
Serve as the central liaison for MAT business managers, trust leads, and school leadership teams building a good working relationship to provide professional, timely communication and ensure high levels of confidence in the mobilisation process.
Coordinate Cross-Functional Stakeholders
Bring together colleagues across Operations, Training, HR, Health & Safety, Food Standards, Equipment, Supply Chain, Finance, and Marketing to ensure activities are sequenced and aligned, supporting smooth delivery of mobilisations.
Manage Mobilisation Readiness for Each Site
Ensure each site is fully prepared for Day 1 delivery, covering equipment, catering, technology, menus, allergen compliance, staffing levels, induction training, kitchen readiness, and stock arrangements. Also to ensure that DBS checks and PORTW compliance are in place.
Provide Project Support through Mobilisation
Assist in structuring, planning, and coordinating improvements, maintaining project documentation, milestones, action logs, and supporting governance reviews. Maintain issue logs, track actions, ensure appropriate escalation, and support the resolution of risks or obstacles affecting mobilisation or project delivery.
Produce Reporting, Trackers, and Governance Packs
Compile accurate weekly and monthly reports covering mobilisation progress, project status, risks, KPIs, and lessons learned. Maintain trackers and provide supporting documentation for governance meetings and audit requirements.
Deliver Post-Mobilisation Review and Handover
Conduct structured reviews after launch within first week ensuring lessons learned, immediate/long term actions documented, performance against KPIs, client feedback, and comprehensive handover to the Operations team is completed effectively.
Support Continuous Improvement in Mobilisation Processes
Evaluate and refine mobilisation frameworks, templates, checklists, and communication tools with key stakeholders to improve efficiency and consistency across all future MAT and multi-site launches.
This list should not be regarded as exhaustive, and the post holder will be expected to deliver other duties relevant and appropriate to this role and department.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Experience & Knowledge
Experience coordinating projects, mobilisations, or business change activity within a structured environment.
Knowledge of TUPE-related processes or experience working alongside HR teams during organisational change is desirable.
Background in hospitality, education catering, or multi-site operations beneficial.
Experience maintaining project documentation, trackers, or reporting dashboards.
Understanding of training coordination, onboarding processes, or capability development pathways.
Familiarity with governance processes, audit requirements, or structured ways of working.
Skills & Competencies
Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to handle multiple workstreams.
Highly competent in administrative accuracy, documentation, and record keeping.
Confident communicator able to work with varied stakeholders across departments.
Analytical and detail-focused, able to track actions, monitor progress, and highlight risks.
Proactive problem-solving mindset with the ability to escalate appropriately.
Strong IT literacy, particularly MS Office, Teams, and spreadsheet-based tracking tools.
Ability to work independently, stay self-motivated, and manage workload under pressure.
Qualifications (Desirable)
Project administration, project management, or business improvement accreditation (e.g., Prince2 Foundation) or willingness to take on the learning.
L2 or L3 certifications in H&S, Food Safety or similar— preferably aligned with education catering environments
Essential
Full clean driving licence for site visits (business insurance required)
Closing Date: 27/02/2026 by 12pm