Bar Manager

About The Courtyard Theatre

The Courtyard Theatre is one of London’s most vibrant theatres and live music venues. It presents an intimate space for established performers and endeavours to discover the best new playwrights, directors and companies from a wide range of backgrounds. The theatre provides a venue to nurture, support, and mentor talent whilst their careers are in the early stages of development. From theatre to comedy, music, art, film and poetry, anything creatives dare to imagine, The Courtyard Theatre strives to offer an exciting and varied programme that puts it at the forefront of entertainment and keeps people coming back for more.

The Courtyard Theatre is housed within the Grade II-listed former public library in Pitfield Street, Hoxton. It has a 150-seat main house theatre, an 80-seat studio theatre, 220 capacity music venue, bar and multiple rehearsal spaces.

Overview

The Bar Manager is responsible for the smooth and efficient day-to-day running of The Courtyard Theatre and its and bar and front-of-house operations. The post holder will take responsibility for facilities and building management to ensure The Courtyard Theatre is at all times fit for purpose and up to date with Health & Safety and licensing legislation. The post holder will be responsible for the identification and implementation of new strategies for effective front-of-house and facilities management.

Key Responsibilities

Bar Management

• To lead the operational management of the Bar to ensure a smooth running of operations and customer service to visitors
• To implement a bar stock system to ensure that the bar is well stocked at all times and maintain fortnightly stock takes to ensure the ability to report as accurately as possible
• To ensure that bar procedures are adhered to by bar staff including cleanliness and hygiene of bars and stock and cash control
• To assist the Head of Programming to increase general bar sales by encouraging new private party bookings, repeat business and alternative bar activities that do not interfere with events taking place in the theatre spaces.

Front of House Operations

• To be responsible for the day-to-day management of all aspects of bar and front-of-house operations
• To deliver exemplary customer service by providing a friendly, welcoming, professional and efficient service to all clients and visitors
• To liaise with production staff to ensure performances are carried out to the satisfaction of all involved in a smooth and timely manner
• To produce and distribute daily event operational reports
• To ensure that bar and front-of-house expenditure is controlled effectively during your shift
• To ensure that all visitors, including those with special needs or access requirements are catered for appropriately
• To implement and maintain accurate cashing up procedures and reconciliation of all Box Office reports
• To work closely with the Head of Programming to develop long-term strategies for front-of-house management development

Facilities and Health & Safety

• To be responsible for the exemplary presentation and safety of the building, including conducting checks to ensure that it is clean and safe prior to the start of a shift, between performances and post-shows
• To carry out regular checks of the building, ensuring that all fittings, equipment and resources are well maintained, and in good working order and to take appropriate action when they are not and to ensure standards are upheld in accordance with Health & Safety and licensing legislation and records are kept up to date
• To assist the Technical Manager in the completion of periodic checks and Health & Safety reports
• To be responsible for the wellbeing of the audience and visitors and to be a qualified first aider (training will be given if necessary) and thereby be actively available to provide first aid and management of any accident incidents at the venue including reporting
• Ensure that all bar and front-of-house staff comply with emergency and safety procedures including the building’s fire evacuation procedures and that staff receive regular fire awareness training and participate in fire drill practice
• To act as a Fire Marshall which includes the evacuation of the building if deemed necessary and subsequent liaison with the fire brigade, ambulance service and/or police in the event of an emergency
• To act as a key-holder; ensuring that procedures for security are followed at all times

Staff Management

• To lead the bar/ front of house team positively and maturely by example; communicating effectively to ensure the smooth running of the front-of-house operations with a motivated team
• Ensure that the highest standards of customer care and professionalism are upheld at all times by bar and front-of-house staff
• To be responsible for the recruitment, induction, development, supervision and line management of bar and front-of-house staff
• Ensure that all bar and front-of-house staff have adequate and appropriate training to carry out responsibilities
• To be responsible for drawing up staff rotas, ensuring that the bar is adequately staffed at all times

Other Duties

• Ensure that promotional materials are current and regularly refreshed
• To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible, without jeopardising the quality of the work or the reputation of The Courtyard Theatre
• To become knowledgeable of the artistic programme to promote events to visitors

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience in leading and managing a hospitality team
• Excellent and proactive customer service skills
• Experience managing a bar
• Ability to work independently, exercise initiative and work effectively under pressure
• A positive, mature and professional attitude towards work
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal and good written communication skills
• Good level of IT literacy
• Strong administrative, organisational, time management and prioritisation abilities to maintain systems, records and rotas
• Flexibility about duties and working hours which will include evenings and weekends
• An interest in the arts and entertainment industry

Desirable

• Knowledge of Health & Safety and licensing laws and regulations with experience of implementing and monitoring safe working practices
• Qualifications/certificates in Health & Safety, fire safety and/or first aid
• An understanding of access and disability issues

The above is not intended to be exhaustive; this job description will be subject to periodic review and the postholder may be required to undertake additional duties as reasonably requested by the Artistic Director or Head of Programming.

The Courtyard Theatre operates an equal opportunities policy and candidates will not be disadvantaged in the selection process on grounds such as age, race, religion, gender, disability, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sex, sexual orientation, social class or any other irrelevant distinction.

Please send your CV and a covering letter (of no more than 2 pages highlighting your relevant skills against the person's specification). Closing date for applications is midnight of 17th of March 2024

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £13.50 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40 per week

Language:

• English (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 17/03/2024