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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant café, ensuring top-notch service and a fantastic visitor experience.
- Company: Join Hampshire Cultural Trust, a leader in enriching cultural experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, generous pay, and perks like free tea and discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing food and beverage teams and strong customer service skills.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 28500 - 32500 ÂŁ per year.
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 Milestone’s 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 www.hampshireculture.org.uk and https://careers.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/.
Cafe Manager in Basingstoke employer: Hct
Contact Detail:
Hct 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 your area! Visit local cafés, chat with managers, and understand what makes them tick. This will give you insights into what works and what doesn’t, plus it shows your passion for the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend local events or workshops related to food and beverage management. Meeting people in the industry can lead to job opportunities and valuable connections that might just help you land that Café Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! When you get the chance, share examples of how you've motivated teams or improved customer experiences in past roles. This is key for a Café Manager position, so make sure they see your potential!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Hampshire Cultural Trust.
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 showcase your previous experience in managing food and beverage teams. We’re keen to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on sharing specific examples of your successes!
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, keep your answers clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Café Manager position.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about us there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hct
✨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
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've motivated your team in the past. Think about specific situations where your coaching and communication skills made a difference, as this will resonate well with their focus on people leadership.
✨Demonstrate Customer Service Excellence
Be ready to share stories that illustrate your commitment to exceptional customer service. Discuss how you've handled challenging situations or improved the customer experience, as this aligns perfectly with their goal of enhancing visitor experiences.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Values
Take some time to understand Hampshire Cultural Trust's mission and values, especially around equity, inclusion, and diversity. During the interview, mention how your own values align with theirs, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also for the culture.