Student Placement

The Role

Come and join us at The Headland Hotel to complete your 12-month placement as part of your university degree. During your time with us, you will fully participate in day-to-day operations delivered to five-star standards. This fixed-term placement starts in October 2025. Your rotation will be set either every three months across four departments, or as two six-month rotations across two departments. The departments included in your rotation plan will be discussed during the interview stage. An example rotation is outlined below.

Food & Beverage Service Rotation

You will participate in one of the following services: RenMor (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner) or The Deck (bar service, casual dining, poolside service).

• Welcome guests to the restaurant.
• Prepare and set up the restaurant prior to service.
• Develop strong food and beverage product knowledge.
• Deliver friendly service that exceeds guests’ expectations.
• Upsell additional food and beverage items.
• Manage allergens and special requests.

Front of House Rotation

Ensure all guests receive a true Headland welcome and are treated individually with the utmost care and attention.

• Assist the Concierge team with guest requests.
• Support the Reception team with check-ins, check-outs, and general queries.
• Assist the Guest Host team with arrival tours and rooming, plus luggage handling procedures.
• Participate in guest relations, learning about praise and complaint handling.
• Learn how to set up rooms for events and understand function sheets.
• Build knowledge of how the whole hotel operates as a single operation made up of multiple departments.

Housekeeping and/or Maintenance Rotation

Learn the absolute attention to detail required when preparing guest bedrooms and cottages, alongside front-of-house areas in the hotel and spa. Gain a basic understanding of essential maintenance to keep the operation running smoothly.

• Clean and prepare hotel bedrooms and cottages to five-star standards.
• Manage guest amenities stock control.
• Complete housekeeping PMS reporting.
• Understand and apply COSHH standards.
• Perform evening turndown service.
• Contribute to rota setting in a busy, seven-days-per-week, 14-hours-per-day department.
• Carry out basic maintenance tasks (e.g., stopping a tap from dripping, resetting a fuse, changing a lightbulb).

Kitchen Rotation

Put your culinary skills to the test across a variety of services in our three kitchens.

• Support the pastry team to prepare for Afternoon Tea service.
• Gain an overview of kitchen policies, standards, and procedures.
• Develop an understanding of kitchen operations.
• Gain experience supporting different styles of service and holding a section as a Commis Chef.
• Develop skills in stock management and understand allergens and food safety.

In All Rotations You Will

• Deliver genuine care and attention to internal and external guests.
• Complete all required training.
• Comply with dress and grooming standards.
• Participate in team and departmental meetings as required.
• Actively care for the well-being of colleagues and guests.
• Stay up to date with the regulatory environment of The Headland.
• Ensure all sensitive personal data is kept secure and processed in line with GDPR.
• Understand your responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act and meet all health & safety procedures, including twice-yearly refresher training.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties as required by the business.

Salary and Contract

• 12-month student placement.
• 40 hours per week, five days out of seven, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
• In line with UK immigration and employment law, only applicants eligible to live and work in the UK should apply. Proof of ID will be required (Passport, National Identity Card, or Birth Certificate).

Perks

• Complimentary stay after 1 year’s service.
• 50% off hotel stays.
• 40% off spa products.
• 25% off spa treatments.
• One complimentary meal in each of our restaurants per year.
• Gym access and a weekly swim session.
• Special rate for Pride of Britain Hotels.
• Discounted surf lessons.
• On-site parking.

Awards and Recognition

• Bi-monthly recognition awards.
• Annual festive awards event.
• Long service awards dinner.