Duty Manager- Theatre, Bars & Cafes National Theatre

The National Theatre is one of the world’s leading cultural venues, presenting bold and inspiring theatre on multiple stages in London and beyond. Our Theatre Bars and Cafés are central to the visitor experience – lively, welcoming spaces where audiences can enjoy great food, drinks, and atmosphere before, during, and after performances. We pride ourselves on creating exceptional hospitality experiences that match the creativity and quality of the shows on our stages.

Purpose

As Duty Manager, you’ll be at the heart of the action, leading, motivating, and supporting our team to deliver world‑class service in our Theatre Bars and Cafés. You’ll oversee daily operations, support Team Leaders, and ensure seamless coordination with the wider National Theatre venue.

Responsibilities

• Brief, motivate, and guide Team Leaders and Front of House staff to achieve daily targets, KPIs, and uphold exceptional service standards.
• Ensure every visitor enjoys a memorable experience, responding to feedback and anticipating needs.
• Oversee food and drink service, stock levels, presentation, and quality.
• Ensure systems and equipment are operational and maintained.
• Monitor operational performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and maintain smooth day‑to‑day running of bars and cafés.
• Support staff development through inductions, training, and 1-2-1 meetings, empowering the team to succeed.
• Uphold food safety, health & safety, and incident reporting procedures, creating a safe environment for staff and visitors.

Requirements

• A natural leader – you lead by example and are always present on the floor.
• Passion for exceptional service – you’ll make every visitor feel welcome.
• Flexibility – evenings, weekends, and bank holidays are integral to the role.
• At least 2 years’ experience in a similar hospitality or leisure setting.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in high‑volume, multi‑service environments.
• Knowledge of EPOS and procurement systems (desirable).
• Awareness of COSHH & Level 3 Food Hygiene (desirable).
• Personal Licence (desirable).

Benefits

• Healthcare & Wellbeing: Medicash health benefits (dental, mental health & optical for you and up to 4 children), free annual health check with Aviva Digicare, discounts at Nuffield Health & Pure Gym, and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Exclusive Perks & Discounts: 15% off National Theatre bars and cafés, 25% off Bookshop, complimentary show tickets, VIP last‑minute O2 show tickets, and discounted onsite parking (£4/day).
• Workplace Benefits: Meals on duty, pension scheme, life assurance, professional subscriptions paid.
• Leave & Family Support: 23 days annual leave + bank holidays, birthday off, additional maternity return leave, a day off for your baby’s 1st birthday, and holiday purchase scheme.
• Career & Financial Support: Ongoing training & development, career pathways, financial wellbeing programme, and preferred rates on salary finance products.

About Levy

Levy, part of Compass Group, delivers exceptional food, drink, and hospitality at world‑renowned venues including Wimbledon, Twickenham, and Tottenham Hotspur. Sustainability, diversity, and inclusion are core to Levy’s values. The company is committed to Net Zero by 2017 and ensures all team members earn at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.

Why Join Us?

At Levy UK & Ireland, we celebrate diversity and inclusion, valuing every individual’s strengths. Our team fuels creativity, innovation, and success. We promote fairness, ensure all voices are heard, and provide equal opportunities for all. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, equitable workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute. Together, we achieve greatness.