Sessional Venue Staff (bars and cloakroom) in London

Islington Assembly Hall (IAH) is a venue managed by Islington Council. For over 10 years, IAH has operated as a live music venue in the heart of the borough, bringing huge names to the community including Skepta, Ed Sheeran, Jack White, and Ezra Collective.

As Sessional Venue Staff, you will join our bars and cloakroom team. We host around 150 live music events per year. Some experience working within a live music venue would be beneficial. This position is primarily for weekend staff, with the opportunity to work weekday events; however, the role is mainly focused on weekend availability.

Please note: the responsibilities in the job description cover all available roles within Sessional Venue Staff. You would not be expected to take on every role. You can let us know which roles interest you in your application or at interview.

We are looking for someone with the drive to progress, with opportunities to become Bar Supervisor and Senior Bar Supervisor.

You will:

• Have excellent customer service skills
• Have experience in a similar role
• Have an interest in music and events
• Have a hands-on, proactive attitude
• Thrive in a fast-moving environment
• Be looking for sessional evening work and be available March–June and Sept–Dec, especially on weekends

We will:

• Pay a minimum of London Living Wage (£14.80)
• Be busy in March, April, May, June, October, November and December, with approximately 10–20 six-hour shifts per month
• Usually open 7–11pm for gigs; bar shifts typically run 6pm–12am, and box office 6pm–10pm
• Be quieter in January, February, July and August with around 3–10 six-hour shifts per month
• Pay wages monthly (first wage received in your second month of work)

The role requires late nights, weekend work, and the possibility of some early mornings. If this sounds like it’s for you, please read the notes below before filling in the application form.

Please note that the council only accepts online applications; no CVs or alternative application formats can be accepted.

Ready to apply? Here’s what to do:

• Fill out all necessary parts of the application form. If a section does not apply to you (e.g. membership of professional bodies), write N/A. You will not be judged for this.

What happens next? If your application is successful, you will be notified by email and invited for an interview at Islington Assembly Hall. This normally takes place about a week after the application deadline.

Starting work with us: You'll begin working with us after all references and pre-employment/right to work checks have been completed. Our new recruitment system allows you to enter and contact your referees during the offer process, so please make sure they are prepared and expecting to hear from us. Once contacted, referees must respond within two working days. Our aim is to go from interview to start date within 14 days, depending on how quickly references are returned.

Your interview panel will be:

• Sammy Winters (Bars and Duty Manager)
• Ali McCreadie (Assistant Bars and Duty Manager)
• Bianca Cordeiro (Assistant Bars and Duty Manager)

If you’d like to talk to us informally about the role, feel free to email: Ali McCreadie and Bianca Cordeiro Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

About You: Working for the team, service and our organisation. Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council, our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers, we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future. We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.

Our offer to you: We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers, we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement: We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.

We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Disability Confident Scheme: Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.