Assistant Venue Manager

Big Belly Bar & Comedy Club, Southbank, London

Salary: £48-£50k per year£40,000 Basic, plus bonuses and tips (£48‑50K OTE)

Hours: 45 hours per week, including evenings and weekends

Big Belly is an award winning independent bar, comedy and events venue on London’s Southbank. We operate seven days a week, with live comedy, private and corporate events, karaoke, brunches, DJs and late night events across multiple spaces.

We are looking for an Assistant Venue Manager who enjoys being on the floor, leading a team and making sure a busy venue runs properly.

This role would suit a strong assistant manager or experienced duty manager ready to take on more responsibility across a busy venue.

THE ROLE

You will help run the whole venue, making sure the team is prepared, events are properly delivered and customers receive great service from arrival to closing.

As Assistant Venue Manager, you will support the management team with day to day venue operations and performance against agreed targets, taking charge of the shifts and areas delegated to you.

The role involves practical leadership, clear communication and working closely with the management team.

BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

• Work with the management team on sales targets, staffing budgets and plans to improve venue performance.
• Plan staffing around bookings and expected trade, keeping labour costs within agreed budgets.
• Monitor sales, staffing levels and service throughout the shift, making sensible adjustments when needed.
• Work with the management team on stock control, wastage and stock variances, following up recurring problems with clear actions and training.
• Complete accurate end of shift reports covering sales, staffing, incidents, customer feedback and outstanding issues.
• Contribute to weekly management reviews with practical ideas to improve sales, control costs and develop the team.

PEOPLE AND DAILY OPERATIONS

• Lead shift briefings so everyone knows their responsibilities, the bookings and what is happening across the venue.
• Coordinate front of house and bar teams, stepping in to help wherever service needs support.
• Keep opening, closing, cleaning and daily and weekly checklists up to date and make sure jobs are completed properly.
• Help recruit, onboard and train staff, giving regular feedback and dealing with performance concerns through the appropriate management process.
• Prepare or support rotas, record staff hours accurately and manage absence in line with company procedures.
• Work with the management team to keep stock and consumables available and the venue ready for service.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, presentation, cash handling and customer service.

BOOKINGS AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

• Coordinate with the management team so enquiries, private hires and group bookings are followed through from initial requirements to delivery.
• Make sure booking details, timings, layouts and customer expectations are clearly communicated to the team.
• Handle customer complaints calmly and professionally, resolving issues where possible and escalating when needed.
• Follow up customer feedback and online reviews in line with the venue’s approach.

EVENTS AND PRODUCTION

• Review the event sheet before each shift and check timings, attendance, room layouts, staffing and equipment requirements.
• Confirm who is responsible for sound and production, including whether an engineer or external supplier is booked.
• Flag any gaps in technical cover or equipment early so they can be resolved before the event starts.
• Coordinate room setups, changeovers and guest arrival with the relevant teams.
• Keep service running smoothly when comedy shows, private events and other activity overlap.

SAFETY AND STANDARDS

• Uphold licensing, health and safety, fire safety and food hygiene procedures.
• Make sure staff receive the required training and understand venue policies and emergency procedures.
• Keep required checks, incident records and operational documentation accurate and up to date.
• Report maintenance and equipment problems promptly and follow through on outstanding issues.
• Support the management team in ensuring staff paperwork, handbooks and policies are properly issued and followed.

THE PERSON

We are looking for somebody who is reliable, organised and comfortable taking responsibility during a busy service.

You should have:

• Experience as a venue manager, assistant manager or duty manager in a busy hospitality or entertainment setting.
• Confidence leading teams, giving clear instructions and maintaining standards under pressure.
• An understanding of rotas, labour costs, sales performance and stock control.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to resolve problems professionally.
• Good attention to detail when preparing bookings, events and shift plans.
• A practical approach: noticing what needs doing and following it through.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends.
• Experience in comedy, live entertainment, private events, nightlife or a busy independent venue would be useful.

WHAT WE OFFER

• £40,000 per year, plus bonuses and tips. (£48-50K OTE)
• Staff discounts on drinks.
• Free comedy tickets and meals
• Access to events and shows at Big Belly.
• The chance to contribute ideas and see the impact of your work.
• Opportunities to develop within a growing independent venue.

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