Hall Assistant (Food and Beverage) in Oxford

Application Deadline: 8 July 2026

Department: Buttery

Employment Type: Permanent – Full Time

Location: Brasenose College

Reporting To: Head of Food and Beverages

Compensation: £29,086 per year

Description

1. The College

Brasenose College is one of the older Colleges in Oxford and is still thriving five centuries later. Brasenose has 370 undergraduates and 210 graduate students and 115 support staff making it one of the medium‑size Oxford colleges, with a friendly atmosphere. Outside of the three 10‑week terms the College is exceptionally busy hosting international conferences and Bed and Breakfast guests. For further information please visit https://www.bnc.ox.ac.uk/.

2. Department and Job Purpose

Hall Assistants are responsible, under the supervision of the Head of Food & Beverages and Assistant Stewards (Supervisors), to perform duties connected to the efficient provision of the meal service for Fellows, staff and students and to provide the highest standard of catering service, cleanliness and hygiene across all catering service areas in the College. The post holder is responsible for providing first‑class service to all who dine in College and external guests who use the College catering facilities.

Applicants must be 18 or over to comply with working time legislation.

Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities

• To clean and tidy all areas associated with the Hall to the highest standard.
• Attendance in Main Hall and other function areas during meal service to assist with serving food and wine and table clearing in a courteous, friendly and professional manner.
• Assistance with any special preparations for College Functions.
• Laying up of tables in Main Hall or function rooms.
• Assisting with wine deliveries.
• Maintaining visual checks within work area identifying possible hazards and rectify or report to the Steward or Assistant Stewards.
• To undertake inventory checks of items as required.
• Adhere to the correct procedures according to COSHH regulations when using approved chemicals.
• Work safely and comply with all Health and Safety regulations and COSHH.
• Comply with the Food Safety Act and General Food Hygiene Regulations.
• Ensure that silver and cutlery is checked and returned after use.
• To supervise staff when directed to do so.
• Ensure the security of the department and associated areas during and after service, liaising with the Head Porter and Porters where appropriate.

Cleaning duties

• Daily cleaning of work area.
• Cleaning of silver, glasses and cutlery prior to table being laid.
• Assistance with washing glasses either by hand or by machine.

General

• To participate in training designed to minimise occupational risks.
• To wear protective clothing supplied and follow directions on safe working methods.
• To work flexibly within the team, providing support to colleagues and liaising with colleagues in other departments as required.
• Working a two week shift rota including split shifts on alternate weekends in order to meet the operational requirements of the College.

General Duties

• The post holder will be required to be familiar with, and work in accordance with, all College’s policies and procedures.
• To participate in training and development required by the College.
• To be willing to work on bank holidays when the College is open and any reasonable request for overtime as to meet the needs of the College.
• To be willing and prepared to undertake any other duties as directed by the Head of Food and Beverages or Assistant Stewards. The job description may be subject to review in consultation with the postholder.
• To be vigilant and take responsibility for ensuring the Buttery and College property and equipment is kept safe at all times.
• To ensure all personal data relating to individuals is kept confidential in accordance with College policies and relevant data protection regulations.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

Desirable

• Experience of similar work in a catering/hospitality environment.

Essential

• Experience of a previous customer service based role and understanding of the importance of this.
• Ability to work to the required standards (care in service delivery, professionalism and presentation).
• Capable and willing to work using own initiative.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Able to work flexible hours (if required).
• Interest in food and wine service.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Reliable with good timekeeping.
• Clean and tidy appearance.
• A high standard of spoken and written English.

Physical Qualities

Essential

• Capable of fulfilling the requirements of the role which involves standing, carrying and lifting.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Appointment

This is a full‑time position. There will be an initial probationary period of three months. We may, at our discretion, extend the probationary period. The appointment will be conditional on verification of the successful candidate’s ‘Right to Work’ checks, in advance of employment, and subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and medical clearance from University Occupational Health. Applicants must be 18 or over to comply with working time legislation.

Salary

College Grade 2 currently £29,086 per annum, depending on previous related experience.

Hours of Working

Full time 40 hours per week averaged over a two‑week rota. Working 5 out of 7 days with one day off each week, every other weekend off and a 30 minute unpaid meal break where the shift is longer than 6 hours.

Week 1

• Monday 11:30am – 7:30pm
• Tuesday 7:30am – 3:30pm
• Wednesday Off
• Thursday 7:30am – 3:30pm
• Friday 11:30am – 9:30pm
• Saturday 10:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
• Sunday 10:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 9:30pm

Week 2

• Monday Off
• Tuesday 7:30am – 3:30pm
• Wednesday 11:30am – 7:30pm
• Thursday 7:30am – 3:30pm
• Friday 11:30am – 9:30pm
• Saturday Off
• Sunday Off

Flexibility in the team is required with no regular set day off each week. The post holder will be required to work the hours necessary to fulfil the job requirements and subject to operational needs. The shift pattern is currently under review.

Benefits

• Pension: Eligibility to Brasenose College's pension schemes. Dependent on role, this may be NEST, OSPS (Oxford Staff Pension Scheme) or USS (University Superannuation Scheme). The successful candidate will be entered into this scheme automatically on joining, but ongoing membership of the scheme is optional.
• Salary Exchange Scheme: Staff who are eligible for OSPS or USS, and who join our pension scheme will be enrolled into the Salary Exchange Pension Contributions Scheme on or around three months after joining Brasenose. This scheme is financially advantageous both to the employee, and the College as the employer.
• Meals: Employees are entitled to take lunch free of charge in Hall each day they work when the kitchen is open.
• Annual Leave Entitlement: The paid holiday entitlement for an equivalent full‑time contract for a year is six working weeks (30 days) of annual leave (5 days to be taken over Christmas break when College is closed) plus 8 Statutory Bank Holidays. Annual leave shall be taken at mutually convenient times agreed in advance with the Head of Food & Beverages. Bank Holidays which fall within the full terms of the University of Oxford are normally worked, for which compensatory time‑off in lieu will be given. The holiday year begins on 1 January and ends 31 December. For part years of service, the entitlement will be calculated as 1/12th of the annual entitlement for each completed month.
• Welfare Support – Employee Assistance Programme – a free confidential telephone helpline and online medical guidance.
• Free annual flu jab.
• Travel Pass Loan – a discounted travel scheme is available with monthly deductions from salary.
• Cycle to Work Scheme / Bike Loan – monthly deductions from salary.
• Sports Facilities – Access to the University Sports club.
• University Card – for discounts in shops, cafes and restaurants and University leisure facilities.

Other Information

No smoking is allowed in any part of the College, except the designated smoking area.