At a Glance
- Tasks: Support catering and hospitality, ensuring visitors have a fantastic experience in our venues.
- Company: Join Southampton City Council's Culture and Tourism Division, celebrating art and heritage.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, health support, and training opportunities.
- Other info: 3 flexible posts available, averaging 15.5 hours across a 2-week rota.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team making a real impact on community experiences.
- Qualifications: Friendly, reliable, with strong customer care skills and an interest in hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 28207 - 28207 £ per year.
The Museums, Art Gallery and Heritage Service sits within Southampton City Council’s Culture and Tourism Division and plays a vital role in sharing, celebrating and caring for Southampton’s rich art, history and heritage. Through Southampton City Art Gallery, SeaCity Museum, Tudor House & Garden and the city’s collections, we create opportunities for people to explore stories, ideas and experiences that connect communities, visitors and future generations.
We are a public-facing, people-centred service that brings together collections, exhibitions, learning, engagement, volunteering, commercial activity and venue operations. Our teams work collaboratively to provide welcoming, inclusive, safe and inspiring experiences for residents, schools, families, partners, communities and visitors to the city.
Joining the service means being part of a creative, supportive and ambitious team that is committed to excellent visitor experience, meaningful community connection and responsible care of the city’s heritage assets.
The Role
As Visitor Experience Assistant (Catering), you will support the catering and hospitality offer across our venues, helping visitors, customers, volunteers and colleagues enjoy a positive experience in our cafés and hospitality spaces. You will provide customer service, prepare and serve food and drinks, use tills, take payments, support stock control, reduce waste, keep café and kitchen areas clean and well presented, follow food hygiene and health and safety requirements, and assist with hospitality, venue hire and wider front of house activity when required.
We are looking for someone friendly, reliable and practical, with strong customer care skills and an interest in café or hospitality operations. You will need to communicate clearly, work well in a team, follow procedures carefully and help maintain welcoming, inclusive and high-quality catering spaces.
We have 3 posts available each averaging 15.5hrs across a 2 week rota.
Working pattern hours are:
- Post 1 Week 1 Monday-Wednesday & Saturday 11:30-15:30 and Sunday 12:00-15:00. Week 2 Monday-Wednesday 11:30-15:30.
- Post 2 Week 1 Thursday-Friday 10:30-15:30 & Saturday-Sunday 10:30-16:00. Week 2 Thursday-Friday 10:30-15:30.
- Post 3 Week 1 Monday-Tuesday 10:30-15:30. Week 2 Monday-Tuesday 10:30-15:30 & Saturday-Sunday 10:30-16:00.
If you are successful in being invited to interview, you may be asked to complete one or more interactive tasks on the day as part of the selection process. Interview date will be on 10th September.
What We Can Offer You
Salary: The salary band for this role is £26,402 - £28,207 per annum (pro rata). The starting salary is £26,402 with annual progression through the salary bands.
Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below:
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
- Flexible working options (role-dependent)
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
Contact Details For Informal Discussion
For further information on our benefits package please visit: For further information and details regarding the role, please contact the Museums Duty Manager at Email Recruitment contact details: Tel: 023 8083 4033
For More Information About SCC Please Visit Follow us on social media for regular updates on our featured jobs and latest news.
Visitor Experience Assistant (Catering) in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Join our vibrant partnership of six schools in Southampton and the New Forest, where we prioritise a rich learning experience for every child. As a Classroom Play Assistant, you will be part of a collaborative and supportive team dedicated to nurturing confident learners and responsible citizens. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to safeguarding, we offer a fulfilling work culture that values diversity and encourages personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Visitor Experience Assistant (Catering) in Southampton
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Southampton City Council and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Experience Assistant (Catering) in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Southampton City Council that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Southampton City Council.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Southampton City Council get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southampton City Council
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Southampton City Council and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
