Head of business development jobs in north west london, greater london

About Katherine Low Settlement  

Katherine Low Settlement is a busy, local charity that has been serving Battersea and the wider Wandsworth community since 1924. We are dedicated to building stronger communities and enable people to challenge and find ways out of poverty and isolation.

We run a range of our own community services to support local older people and children, young people, and their families from refugee communities. We campaign for social change. We incubate and support other charities and social businesses to thrive. Each week we work with 30+ charities and community groups supporting more than 1,000 people.

Katherine Low Settlement’s work with older people 

Katherine Low Settlement has worked with older people since its conception in 1924.They are a core part of the community that we continue to work with. We provide, often in partnership, a range of projects and activities for older people including health and wellbeing; creative arts; intergenerational work; connecting people and trips/outings. 

Our services include Battersea Bites, Age Well and Core social activities and digital inclusion.

We work with people 50+ to: 

• Encourage active and independent living 

• Reduce isolation and loneliness 

• Improve well-being and prevent ill-health 

• Engage members to be dynamic and contributing members of the Wandsworth community.

Key Objectives for this Role 

Oversee the day-to-day running of our Battersea Bites Programme that includes a lunch club for people 50+ that runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and a healthy eating session on Mondays. This includes leading in the planning, shopping and preparation and provision of meals, the responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen including overseeing a team of volunteers and ensuring compliance with relevant Health & Safety and Food Hygiene requirements. 

Roles & Responsibilities 

Planning 

• Plan and develop a monthly lunch service menu, a month in advance, using creative license to provide nutritious, varied, and satisfying meals that meet diverse dietary requirements (e.g., allergies, cultural needs, vegetarian/vegan options) while strictly adhering to Health & Safety and food hygiene regulations. 

• Develop ideas for Battersea Bites Healthy cook and eat/ other sessions with the Age Well Team.

• Handle purchases and expense tracking using the Soldo card, ensuring full compliance with the bank card usage policy, and submitting all receipts and records promptly and accurately for financial oversight and reporting, for which training can be provided.

• Create several themed menus throughout the year which will engage members. For example, a Summer Lunch, an Afternoon Tea, etc.

• Support the planning of the older people’s lunch club with older people themselves

• Support the Elders team to welcome and support new members to feel part of the programme. 

Delivery 

• Complete a weekly food shop either online (we currently use Asda delivery service) or locally, buying fresh ingredients weekly which fall within the financial budget. 

• Prepare, cook and serve healthy meals, ensuring dietary needs are met 

• Undertake stock control such as stock rotation, ensuring all food items are labelled with expiry dates and disposed of when necessary. 

• Ensure all equipment is ready and set up for the lunch club service. 

• Ensure the security of the kitchen and store cupboards to provide a safe working environment. (Our cupboards are locked.)

• To ensure routine day-to-day as well as specialised cleaning of kitchen equipment, work surfaces, kitchen floors and storage areas. 

• Keep accurate and up-to-date records, including the health and safety folder containing opening and closing checks. Training can be provided.

• Ensure your hygiene and cleanliness are of the highest standard, and those of anyone entering the kitchen, including volunteers, are suitably dressed and uphold the same standards 

• Be part of and work closely with the Elders Team at KLS 

• Support elders who attend the club so that the sessions are safe and enjoyable for them.

• Inform the Manager (or in their absence the Head of Service) of any concerning incidents, compliments, complaints or accidents (including safeguarding issues).

• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills by quickly and calmly addressing kitchen challenges and ensuring smooth meal preparation under pressure.

• Take part in the monitoring and evaluation of the programme under the guidance of the Managers of the 50+ programme

• Coordinate with staff and volunteers to ensure efficient meal service.

• To attend any relevant training sessions to ensure that you are fully equipped to perform your role effectively

• To actively assist in the continuation of our high food hygiene rating

• Have acquired or are willing to Level 2 and Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

• Actively participate in meetings such as supervision and appraisals, and staff meetings. The manager reviews progress, reflects on goals, and completes agreed actions and tasks within set deadlines to support ongoing development and programme success.

Coordination of Battersea Bites Volunteers 

• Form and build positive working relationships with volunteers who work within Battersea Bites. 

• Take responsibility for coordinating individual volunteers and respond effectively to their feedback, and report any concerns to the Core Manager.

Undertake Other Duties

• To comply with any reasonable request from KLS Management to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

Person Specification 

Essential Experience & Skills

• Track record of catering and basic cooking
• Proven experience of working or volunteering with older and/or vulnerable people in community settings
• Strong communication skills – both verbal and written
• Understanding of healthy eating and nutrition
• Full understanding of health & safety, including food hygiene (though training is also provided)
• Personal attributes to include being caring and compassionate / hard working / organised / creative / take initiative / reliable / ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work as part of a small team, whilst also working independently
• Committed to KLS’s mission, vision and values

Desirable Experience & Skills

• Experience of overseeing volunteers
• Knowledge of Battersea / Wandsworth

Further Information 

•  Katherine Low Settlement is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
• All offers to work at Katherine Low Settlement are subject to satisfactory references, which is standard KLS policy applicable to all roles. KLS also ask for an enhanced DBS (formerly known as CRB) check 
•  You will adhere to matters of confidentiality concerning this role and the KLS team

The above job description reflects the position at the time of writing; it is not intended to be a task list but indicates the general level of work involved. It is expected that duties will be reviewed and revised as required.