The Soho Theatre Bar Team are often the first people to greet our audiences and guests. You’ll see them working away with customers as you head in for food and drinks, and they’re here to ensure your comfort and safety when visiting us.
We’re looking for friendly and approachable people with great communications skills who enjoy working with the general public and our artists. You’ll be great at getting people served quickly and efficiently and able to answer their questions. If you’re able to multi-task, think on your feet, do it all with a cheerful smile and maintain eye contact, you’re just the kind of person we’re looking for.
This role is a casual, zero hour contract, and is based at Soho Theatre Walthamstow, 186 Hoe Street, London, E17 4QH.
Job Outline
Customer Service
- Provide excellent customer service in line with the values of Soho Theatre Bar
- Maintain a visible profile during service, being proactive, polite and helpful
- Ensure quick, accurate service
- Maintain high standards of personal appearance and hygiene
- Respond to any drinks/menu queries with knowledgeable answers
Reception Duties (when working in day times)
- Act as the first point of contact for all visitors to the building, taking on the role of reception for artists and other building users and accepting deliveries for the theatre
- Confidently use the radio as a means of contact with the theatre, liaising with the Duty Manager to assist with arrivals to the building
- Maintain an awareness of daily building activity and the associated arrivals, departures and deliveries
- Always be a welcoming, knowledgeable and confident presence in the Bar
Operational
- Take and process orders, ensuring clear payments for customers
- Be conversant with the till software and card payment devices
- Ensure all required procedures are adhered to prior to starting a shift
- Ensure all food and beverage preparations have been completed prior to service
- Maintain the bar and associated areas so that they are clean, presentable and safe, and all tables are laid in accordance with procedure
- Ensure all stocks are brought from cellars in an appropriate manner and time and that stock is rotated in date order correctly
- Take instruction from senior staff members, be proficient in anticipating their requirements
- React promptly and deal with any issues, complaints, breakages, spillages etc.
- Communicate issues to a senior member of the team
- Maintain a consistently positive attitude when working with other staff members
- On leaving a shift, ensure bar is re-stocked for the next shift, waste is removed, areas are left clean and tidy and any outstanding issues are reported to the manager
General
- Support the aims and objectives of Soho Theatre both internally and externally
- Be familiar with Soho Theatre’s programme (and on occasion attend Soho Theatre shows if possible, in order to converse with customers in an informed and confident manner)
- Maintain excellent levels of customer service
- Keep up to date with licensing legislation and awareness of legal responsibility for the premises, and inform others if needed
- Comply with and enforce health and safety rules and food hygiene regulations, supporting the team to deliver high standards
- Attend Company meetings and other internal meetings as required
- Uphold the theatre’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Health & Safety Policy at all times
- Communicate efficiently with the rest of the department to ensure the smooth and efficient running of communications activities
- Any other duties as may be reasonably required
Person Specification
Qualities
- A professional, efficient and friendly approach to work
- Excellent communicator with the ability to engage with a wide range of personalities
- A flexible approach – able to work evenings, weekends, late nights and public holidays
- Motivated and committed when at work; happy to take initiative to solve problems
- Comfortable learning new systems and teaching others to use them, often being the first port of call for problems that arise
- Approach all tasks with enthusiasm and seize opportunities to learn new skills or knowledge
- Comfortable working in a fast paced, energetic and demanding environment
Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Effectively working within a team
- Ability to multi-task and prioritise during busy times
- Time management skills (it’s crucial staff arrive on time and prepared for work)
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to demonstrate good attention to detail
- Ability to be flexible, responding quickly and positively to changing requirements.
- Ability to maintain a high team focus by showing co-operation and support to colleagues
- Keeping working areas clean, tidy and safe
Experience
- Experience in a customer service position
- Experience of dealing directly with the public
- Experience of multi-tasking
Desirable Experience
- Direct experience of bar work, ideally in a busy environment
- An interest in/knowledge of Soho Theatre
- First Aid training
- Experience of adhering to health and safety guidelines in a hospitality environment
How to apply
We prefer our application form to CVs. Please send us your application form outlining your suitability for the role, experience to date and enthusiasm for working at Soho Theatre. We will shortlist for the position based on how you respond to the job description. If you wish to attach a covering letter, please ensure there are no more than two sides of A4.
Submitting an application
We prefer applications to be sent by email. Please send your completed forms to jobs@sohotheatre.com with STWBA25 in the subject line.
If you would like to submit your application in another format, or you have any queries about this role, please contact our People Coordinator at jobs@sohotheatre.com to discuss alternatives.