Assistant Hospitality & Events Bar Manager

Eastlands Venue Services Limited; Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance (Vitality)

Group Life Assurance

Birthday Day Off

Complimentary Meals on Shift

Employee Assistance Programme & Wellbe

Company Pension Scheme

Generous Holiday Allowance

Career Development Opportunities

Job summary

Eastlands Venue Services Limited at Etihad Campus is seeking an Assistant Hospitality & Events Bar Manager to lead bar operations across match days, concerts, conferences and other events. You will work closely with Hospitality, Cellars, Shared Services and Event Operations to deliver exceptional guest experiences while maintaining high standards and strong commercial performance.

The role involves planning, auditing, developing bar teams, managing stock, EPOS, and vendor training, with

Qualifications

• Experience managing bar operations in hospitality, stadia, arenas, hotels or large events.
• Strong knowledge of beverage operations, stock control and cellar management.
• Experience leading and developing teams within a fast-paced hospitality environment.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise multiple events simultaneously.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience analysing sales and operational performance.
• Confident using Microsoft Office and hospitality systems.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and event days.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of hospitality bar operations across match days, concerts and non-match day events.
• Work with Cellars and Shared Services to ensure all bars are fully stocked, operationally ready and presented to the highest standard.
• Coordinate bar set-ups, menus and EPOS requirements ahead of events.
• Conduct regular operational audits across hospitality bars, identifying opportunities to improve service, standards and guest experience.
• Analyse sales trends and beverage performance to support commercial decision-making.
• Maintain accurate stock control processes, ordering and inventory management.
• Liaise with suppliers to coordinate product training, tastings and new product launches.
• Support the planning and delivery of drinks pairings, cocktail development and premium beverage experiences.
• Work closely with the People Team to support recruitment, onboarding and deployment of casual bar teams.
• Coach and develop Bar Supervisors and Team Leaders, ensuring consistent service standards.
• Monitor labour deployment and support efficient staffing across events.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, licensing, health & safety and company policies.
• Build strong working relationships across Hospitality, Culinary, Cellars, Retail and Event Operations.
• Support wider Hospitality projects and operational initiatives as required.

Skills

Bar Operations

Team Leadership

Stock Control

Event Hospitality

Budget Awareness

Microsoft Office

Stakeholder Management

Flexibility

Tools

EPOS Systems

Job description

Assistant Hospitality & Events Bar Manager

Department: Hospitality

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Etihad Stadium

Reporting To: Fiona Hardman

Description

The Hospitality & Events Bar Manager is responsible for delivering exceptional bar operations across match days, concerts, conferences and special events at the Etihad Campus. Working closely with Hospitality, Cellars, Shared Services and Event Operations, you'll ensure every guest receives an outstanding experience whilst maintaining high operational standards, stock control and commercial performance.

You'll play a key role in continuously improving our hospitality bar operation through planning, auditing, analysing performance and developing our bar teams.

Day to Day Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of hospitality bar operations across match days, concerts and non-match day events.
• Work with Cellars and Shared Services to ensure all bars are fully stocked, operationally ready and presented to the highest standard.
• Coordinate bar set-ups, menus and EPOS requirements ahead of events.
• Conduct regular operational audits across hospitality bars, identifying opportunities to improve service, standards and guest experience.
• Analyse sales trends and beverage performance to support commercial decision-making.
• Maintain accurate stock control processes, ordering and inventory management.
• Liaise with suppliers to coordinate product training, tastings and new product launches.
• Support the planning and delivery of drinks pairings, cocktail development and premium beverage experiences.
• Work closely with the People Team to support recruitment, onboarding and deployment of casual bar teams.
• Coach and develop Bar Supervisors and Team Leaders, ensuring consistent service standards.
• Monitor labour deployment and support efficient staffing across events.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, licensing, health & safety and company policies.
• Build strong working relationships across Hospitality, Culinary, Cellars, Retail and Event Operations.
• Support wider Hospitality projects and operational initiatives as required.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Essential

• Previous experience managing bar operations within hospitality, stadia, arenas, hotels or large-scale events.
• Strong knowledge of beverage operations, stock control and cellar management.
• Experience leading and developing teams within a fast-paced hospitality environment.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise multiple events simultaneously.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience analysing sales and operational performance.
• Confident using Microsoft Office and hospitality systems.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and event days.

Desirable

• Experience within premium hospitality or event operations.
• Knowledge of EPOS systems and hospitality reporting.
• Personal Licence holder.
• WSET or equivalent beverage qualification.

Why Join Us?

• Private Medical Insurance (Vitality) – including Virtual GP access and rewards
• Group Life Assurance – 4x salary paid to your nominated beneficiary
• Birthday Day Off – an extra day to celebrate
• Complimentary Meals on Shift – breakfast, lunch, fruit and hot drinks
• Employee Assistance Programme & Wellbeing Platform – including counselling support
• Company Pension Scheme
• Generous Holiday Allowance – plus bank holidays
• Career Development Opportunities – with progression across the campus