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- Tasks: Lead the café operations and create outstanding visitor experiences at a cultural venue.
- Company: Join Hampshire Cultural Trust, promoting culture and community engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, generous pay, and health perks like free eye tests.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vibrant environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing food and beverage teams in busy settings is essential.
The predicted salary is between 28500 - 32500 £ per year.
Salary: £28,500 to £32,500 per annum dependent on skills and experience
Location: Milestones Museum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Type of Contract: Permanent
Do you have the passion and leadership skills to deliver outstanding café experiences at one of Hampshire's flagship cultural venues? As Café Manager you'll lead the day-to-day operation of Milestones on-site café, tea tent and historic pub, as well as the seasonal café at Basing House, ensuring a consistently high-quality offer that enhances every visitor's experience.
You’ll set and maintain exceptional standards of customer service and presentation, manage and develop a dedicated kitchen and front of house team, and play a key role in driving commercial performance.
A bit about you
You’ll bring solid experience managing a high-performing food and beverage team within a busy, customer-focused environment. You’ll have a strong understanding of commercial café operations, from stock management and food safety to cost control and delivering against targets, and you're confident working with budgets and KPIs. A natural people leader, you're visible on the floor, supportive, and skilled at motivating staff through coaching, clear communication, and a collaborative, inclusive approach. You thrive in fast-paced settings, stay calm under pressure, and take pride in creating a welcoming, safe, and efficient operation. You’ll also bring strong IT skills, excellent organisational ability, and the drive to continuously review and improve the customer experience.
What it's like to work for us
At Hampshire Cultural Trust we have a vision to create inspirational culture experiences that enrich and transform lives. We manage and support 19+ attractions across Hampshire and deliver county-wide outreach programmes that bring great culture to local communities. We also deliver a diverse range of wider social impact initiatives targeted at those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged and who would not usually have access to arts and culture. We are committed to promoting equity, inclusion and diversity and a culture that actively values difference. We recognise that people from different backgrounds and experiences can enhance the way we perform and work. We aim to be inclusive, valuing, and respectful of diversity, developing the ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve and seeks to engage.
The benefits of working for us
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro-rated for part time working)
- 7.5% Employer pension contributions
- Generous occupational maternity, adoption and paternity pay
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Emergency leave scheme
- Life assurance scheme (x3 annual salary)
- Industry leading Employee Assistance Programme
- Interest-free Season ticket loans and travel loans from first day of employment
- Charity Worker Discounts Scheme (savings on retail, leisure, groceries, travel etc.)
- Access to same day GP appointments for employees and their immediate family
- Access to free eye tests and vouchers towards glasses for VDU use
- Free flu vaccination vouchers
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Health Cash Plan (cashback on dental, optical, medical for monthly subscription cost)
- Opportunities to learn, develop and progress
- Free tea and coffee in all our venues
- Team Card - Free access to our fee paying venues and discounts across café and retail.
To apply please fill in the application form with an up-to-date CV. We do not require covering letters for this position however would be grateful to receive context to your application.
Closing date for applications: 5 April 2026
To find out more about us visit our website.
Cafe Manager in Basingstoke employer: Hampshire Cultural Trust
Contact Detail:
Hampshire Cultural Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cafe Manager in Basingstoke
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the café scene in Hampshire! Visit local cafés, chat with managers, and understand what makes them tick. This will not only give you insights but also help you build connections that could be useful when applying.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share stories about how you've motivated teams and improved customer experiences. Real-life examples can make a huge impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply; engage! Use our website to connect with us and ask questions about the role or the company culture. Showing genuine interest can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of stock management and food safety. Be ready to discuss how you’ve handled budgets and KPIs in the past. Confidence in these areas will show you’re the right fit for the job!
We think you need these skills to ace Cafe Manager in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for café management shine through in your application. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about creating outstanding experiences for our visitors.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to detail your previous experience managing food and beverage teams. We’re keen to know how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements in similar environments.
Be Clear and Concise: While we don’t require a covering letter, providing context to your application is important. Keep it straightforward and relevant, focusing on what makes you a great fit for the Café Manager position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way to ensure your details reach us directly, and you’ll find all the info you need about the role there too!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hampshire Cultural Trust
✨Know Your Café Operations
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of café operations, from stock management to food safety. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed these aspects in previous roles, as this will show your understanding of what it takes to run a high-performing café.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Café Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and motivate a team. Prepare examples of how you've coached staff, improved team performance, and created a positive work environment. This will highlight your people skills and collaborative approach.
✨Prepare for Customer Service Scenarios
Expect questions about handling difficult customer situations or improving the customer experience. Think of specific instances where you've gone above and beyond for customers, as this will illustrate your commitment to exceptional service.
✨Understand the Cultural Context
Familiarise yourself with Hampshire Cultural Trust and its mission. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to creating inspirational cultural experiences. This shows that you're not just looking for any job, but that you're genuinely interested in their vision.