Job Description

Job Title:

Food & Beverage Manager

Band:

6

Reporting to:

Theatre Manager

Responsible for:

Bar Supervisor(s), Front of House Casual Team

Hours:

39 hours per week

The Purpose of this Post

The Food & Beverage Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of outstanding customer service to all our theatre visitors. Using this knowledge, they oversee the recruitment, training, and management of the Front of House Causal Team and Bar Supervisor(s). Working closely with the Theatre Manager, they oversee the daily operations of the food and beverage services, ensuring optimal trading performance and profitability, and contributing to the realisation of the theatre's strategic objectives.

Key Duties & Responsibilities1. Operational

Leading the food and beverage services across the organisation, ensuring seamless service and high customer satisfaction, including regularly delivering Bar Supervisor responsibilities for performances by leading the team with a hands-on approach Competent in the efficient execution of food safety administration, including documentation of food safety and cleaning records in accordance with the Company's Food Safety Management System. Ensure appropriate quality control measures and hygiene practices are at all times implemented and achieved in accordance with health and safety legislation and company policy Managing front of house trading facilities, including staffing, stock and banking arrangements Line managing the Bar Supervisor(s) and Casual Front of House Team, setting clear expectations and fostering a positive, performance-driven work environment. Supporting performance, development, and wellbeing as needed Proactively building, training, and motivating a cohesive team of casual staff to deliver an exceptional visitor experience Taking the lead in achieving food and beverage financial targets, optimising revenue opportunities while maintaining cost control Supporting the Theatre Manager to identify and realise opportunities to increase revenue streams, increase profitability, and support the strategic objectives of the organisation Working with the Theatre Manager to determine appropriate staffing levels, balancing budget considerations with customer service needs Leading on the development and implementation of the food and beverage offer, including daytime service, evening trade, ad-hoc catered hires, and pre-show packages Managing supplier relationships, negotiating competitive deals, and ensuring quality standard Monitoring stock levels and overseeing ordering and storage. Developing initiatives to reduce waste, improve sustainability, and support ethical sourcing within the food and beverage operations Supporting the Assistant Front of House Manager to deliver an effective and profitable kiosk offer Ensuring that ENT complies with its Premises License, Food Hygiene, and Health and Safety standards and to ensure that all Front of House staff are trained and knowledgeable in these areas Programming and managing the EPOS till systems, ensuring all staff are fully trained on using the tills In coordination with the Bar Supervisor, overseeing cash handling procedures, including float checks and adherence to ENT's financial policies Reviewing customer feedback to identify opportunities for enhancing the food and beverage experience Ensuring clear procedures for addressing customer concerns, equipping FOH staff with training in de-escalation and problem resolution
2. General

Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the strategy and business plan of ENT Deputising for the Theatre Manager as appropriate, and playing an active role in the Northcott's Management Team Thinking creatively and strategically about how the Front of House activity contributes to ENT goals and being alert to relevant opportunities Taking an active role in identifying and removing access barriers for anyone with access needs Maintaining a working knowledge of the theatre's programme Attending staff meetings/training as required Adhering to all Exeter Northcott Theatre policies & procedures Always maintaining confidentiality Any other duties which may be reasonably requested by the Theatre Manager
N.B. This job description may develop and evolve with the growth of Exeter Northcott Theatre and is not intended to be read as a complete account of all duties or responsibilities.

Person SpecificationEssential

Experience in recruiting, training, and managing staff, and the ability to motivate and develop teams Experience in hospitality sector and driving revenue Knowledge of health and safety regulations, emergency planning, and first aid provisions in a public-facing environment Understanding of accessibility and inclusivity best practices within a cultural or public venue setting Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and bank holidays as required Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage positively with a wide range of stakeholders Ability to remain calm under pressure and respond effectively to emergencies or unexpected situations Experience working effectively as part of a team Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with a strong attention to detail A warm, enthusiastic and friendly demeanour and a passion for providing excellent customer experiences Good IT skills; experience using Microsoft Office
Desirable

Proven experience in a similar role within a theatre, public venue, or customer service environment Understanding of marketing and audience development strategies in a theatre or cultural setting An interest in theatre and/or the arts
Terms & Conditions

Salary:

32,111 per annum

Contract Type:

Permanent

Working Hours:

Full Time (39 hours per week)

Working Pattern:

Exact days/times will vary depending on the theatre's programme. Regular evening and weekend work required.

Holiday:

32 days per annum (inclusive of bank holidays)

How to apply

As part of our commitment to inclusion we're working to widen the pool of people who hear about vacancies at the theatre and make the process of applying for a job as straightforward as possible.

For this role we're asking all candidates to click on the Apply Now link for this vacancy on our website https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/food-beverage-manager-job-description and submit written and/or video/audio responses to the same three questions so you can tell us about yourself and why you're the right person for this role:

Tell us about yourself and why you want to work at the Northcott Tell us how your professional experience meets the person specification Tell us about what you might need support with if we were to offer you this role And then upload a copy of your latest CV.
Contact us at jobs@exeternorthcott.co.uk if you wish to submit in a different format.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact

Mark Gambrill,

Theatre Manager, m.gambrill@exeter.ac.uk.

Closing Date:

10am, Mon 18 Aug 2025

Interviews:

26 - 27 Aug, Exeter Northcott Theatre

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 32,111.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme Employee discount Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Sick pay
Schedule:

Weekend availability
Experience:

Hospitality management: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 18/08/2025