At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to create unforgettable dining experiences at The Old Vic.
- Company: Be part of the vibrant Backstage F&B team at a historic London theatre.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and perks like free therapy and staff discounts.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Work in a dynamic environment where your customer service skills shine and grow.
- Qualifications: Previous experience in hospitality and a passion for excellent service are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 28800 £ per year.
Please note that this is a rolling job posting and we may not have live roles available when you submit your application.
Department/Team: Backstage F&B
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time or Part time contracts available, with a minimum of 4 days per week (although a job share may be considered). Hours scheduled on a shift basis across Monday-Sunday (Monday to Saturday initially, but we may open on Sundays as the operation develops), between the hours of 7.30am and 3am. Shift lengths will be between 5-8 hours.
Location: Backstage, The Old Vic, The Cut, London, SE1 8NB
Salary: £14.45 per hour, plus Tronc
Benefits:
- 28 days holiday including bank holidays
- Access to interest free travel schemes including Cycle 2 work and Season Ticket loans after your probation period
- Free therapy from our therapy partner SelfSpace
- Mental health support via our in house Mental Health Champions
- Two complimentary tickets to a preview performance per production
- Pension scheme with The People’s Pension
- Enhanced sick pay
- All staff social events
- Staff discount in Backstage and The Old Vic bars as well as discounts in local bars and restaurants
- Opportunities to get involved with staff clubs and working groups such as the Inclusion Working Group
- Commitment to learning, education and development
The Team: The Backstage F&B team is responsible for all Food & Beverage related activity within Backstage and The Old Vic theatre itself. The team includes the Operations Director, Head of Food & Beverage Operations, Deputy Head of Food and Beverage Operations, Head Chef, Sous Chef, Chef de Parties, KPs, F&B Duty Managers, Front of House Crew (Bartenders, Baristas and Waiting staff).
Role summary: The Waiting team will be responsible for ensuring exceptional dining experience by providing friendly and tailored service, maintaining a welcoming atmosphere as well as taking orders and delivering food and drinks.
Areas of responsibility:
- Waiting: Welcoming customers to Backstage and seat them at tables. Having an advanced knowledge of the menu, explaining specials, and answering questions, paying special attention to customer allergies, and being able to offer solutions and alternatives. Upselling to customers when appropriate, including suggesting wine and food pairings and matching drinks to customer tastes. Maintaining a high level of energy and enthusiasm at all times. Taking accurate food and beverage orders and relaying them to the kitchen and bar, ensuring good communication and smooth service between the kitchen bar and tables. Serving food and drinks in a timely and courteous manner. Monitoring tables and anticipating customers’ needs throughout their meal. Maintaining cleanliness and organisation of the café, including workstations, seating areas, and loos. Handling cash and card transactions accurately using Point One. Restocking supplies and ingredients as needed throughout the shift.
- Customer Service: Acting as an ambassador for the Backstage. Actively engaging our customers, and building rapport, to deliver quality experiences. Always delivering the highest possible level of customer service, ensuring a friendly, safe and secure environment in which the public can enjoy their visit to Backstage. Receiving all comments raised by the public and following them with immediate action or passing on to the Deputy Head of Food and Beverage Operations to investigate.
- Teamwork: Collaborating with team members to ensure smooth daily operations. Acting as a welcoming and approachable point of contact for staff and customers. Representing Backstage/The Old Vic values and mission to customers. Liaising with Backstage and building management in the event of emergency and evacuation. Ensuring all Health and Safety procedures are adhered to. Ensuring the highest quality and consistency with all Food and Beverage processes, reporting any issues with delivering this immediately to senior management. Assisting with bartending whenever required, and during busy periods in particular.
- General: Promoting and complying with current legislation and Backstage/The Old Vic policies on Diversity, Sustainability, Culture and Health & Safety - both in the delivery of services and the treatment of others. Assisting the Backstage F&B team in relation to continuous improvement within the venue. Undertaking any other reasonable duties, commensurate with the level of the post to ensure the smooth running of Backstage. This is not an exhaustive list of duties and Backstage management may, at any time, allocate other tasks which are of a similar nature or level.
Person Specification:
Essential:
- Previous experience as chosen role
- A proven ability to provide a high level of customer service in an often fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to multitask effectively
- Flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
- Ability to perform manual handling tasks (e.g. lifting trays, dishes, stock and other items as required)
- Knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards (e.g. allergen awareness and Food Safety Level 2)
- Highly motivated with a positive and flexible approach to work and ability to adapt quickly to new information and procedures
- A proven ability to work as both part of a team and independently
- Well organised
Equal Opportunities: We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people of the global majority, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse and disabled candidates. We may take positive action, in cases where candidates are equally qualified, to increase the employment of under-represented groups at The Old Vic. In the event that we ask you to attend the theatre for a conversation and you are struggling financially, we may be able to reimburse you for any reasonable travel costs. We partner with a range of inclusive organisations, to find out more please read our FAQs.
Backstage Wait Staff – Rolling Advert in London employer: Old Vic Theatre
At Backstage, The Old Vic, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values our staff's well-being and professional growth. With a commitment to mental health support, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for involvement in staff clubs, we foster a vibrant work culture that encourages collaboration and inclusivity. Located in the heart of London, our team enjoys unique perks such as complimentary theatre tickets and discounts at local venues, making every shift a rewarding experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Backstage Wait Staff – Rolling Advert in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, take a trip to The Old Vic and Backstage. Familiarise yourself with the atmosphere, the menu, and the vibe. This will not only help you feel more confident but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Think of scenarios where you might need to handle tricky situations or upsell items. Role-play with a friend or family member to get comfortable with the kind of interactions you'll have as part of the waiting team.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on social media platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for standing out during the hiring process. Plus, it’s a great way to get insider info!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, keep an eye on our rolling job postings; you never know when the perfect opportunity might pop up!
We think you need these skills to ace Backstage Wait Staff – Rolling Advert in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for the role and the team.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Mention specific examples from your past roles that align with what we’re looking for in the Backstage Wait Staff position.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!:Before hitting send, give your application a good once-over. Typos and errors can make a bad impression, so take the time to ensure everything is polished and professional.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and helps us keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Old Vic Theatre
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the menu and specials. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your enthusiasm for the role. Practice explaining dishes and suggesting pairings, as this is key to providing that exceptional dining experience.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you delivered outstanding customer service. Think about how you built rapport with customers or handled difficult situations. This will demonstrate your ability to create a welcoming atmosphere and act as an ambassador for Backstage.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Be ready to discuss how you work well in a team. Share stories that highlight your collaboration skills and how you contribute to a positive working environment. The interviewers will be looking for someone who can seamlessly integrate into their existing team.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since the role requires working various shifts, be prepared to talk about your availability and willingness to adapt. Highlight any previous experience in fast-paced environments where you had to juggle multiple tasks, as this will show you're ready for the dynamic nature of the job.
