Assistant Manager

BAO; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% off food and drink across BAO

School of BAO access

BAOcoin rewards

Referral bonus

Job summary

BAO Soho is seeking an Assistant Manager to lead a friendly front-of-house team in a fast-paced, quality-driven setting. You’ll work closely with the General Manager to ensure warm, joyful service and smooth daily operations.

You’ll train staff, manage floor plans, and support guest experiences with energy and care. A people-first mindset, clear communication, and pride in service will help you thrive and grow with BAO.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Supervisor or Assistant Manager in a fast-paced, quality-driven restaurant.
• People-first approach with friendly, professional communication.
• Strong eye for detail and pride in delivering great service.
• Desire to grow and learn with support from BAO.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the management team in running daily service, keeping things flowing with energy and care
• Leading sections and supporting the FOH team during busy shifts
• Training new team members and giving regular feedback and encouragement
• Assisting with floor plans, guest bookings, and team rotas
• Ensuring every guest has a brilliant experience
• Being a supportive and reliable leader on the floor

Skills

Supervisor / Assistant Manager exp

People-first approach

Strong communication

Detail-oriented

Job description

BAO Soho is looking for an Assistant Manager to join the team and help deliver warm, joyful service every day. We’re looking for someone who brings positive energy to the floor, supports their team with care, and takes pride in creating great guest experiences. This is a hands‑on role in a fast‑paced restaurant. Ideal for someone ready to take the next step in their hospitality journey.

The Restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Soho, our original BAO site opened in 2015 and quickly became a cult favourite - earning critical acclaim and holding onto a Michelin Bib Gourmand for an impressive nine years running. Inspired by the lively Xiao Chi houses of Taiwan, BAO Soho is where the journey began: serving up fluffy signature BAOs and bold Taiwanese small eats in a buzzing, intimate space.

At BAO, no two restaurants are the same. Each one is a creative chapter in our story " shaped by the founders’ memories, travels across Asia, and a deep love for storytelling through food. Soho is where it all started, and it continues to set the tone for our mission: to bring new and exciting dining experiences to life, one BAO at a time.

The Position

At BAO, we care about doing things properly - from how we greet our guests to how we support each other behind the scenes. As Assistant Manager, you’ll be a key part of the leadership team, working closely with the General Manager to ensure smooth daily operations, high service standards, and a happy, motivated front of house team.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who leads by example, brings a calm and confident presence to service, and is passionate about delivering joyful experiences for guests and teams alike.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting the management team in running daily service, keeping things flowing with energy and care
• Leading sections and supporting the FOH team during busy shifts
• Helping to train new team members and giving regular feedback and encouragement
• Assisting with floor plans, guest bookings, and team rotas
• Making sure every guest has a brilliant experience
• Being a supportive and reliable leader on the floor

What we’re looking for:

• Experience as a Supervisor or Assistant Manager in a fast‑paced, quality-driven restaurant
• Someone who’s confident running a section and helping lead a team
• A people‑first approach - friendly, professional, and great at communicating
• A strong eye for detail and pride in delivering great service
• A desire to grow and learn - we’ll support you every step of the way

The Benefits

We want working at BAO to feel like stepping into a warm, fluffy bao - soft, supportive, and full of good stuff. Here’s what you'll get as part of the team:

Work-Life Balance

• 6 shifts across 5 days, with a maximum of one double shift
• Paid overtime
• Rotas released two weeks in advance so you can plan ahead

Growth & Development

• Personalised development plans tailored to your goals
• Access to School of BAO, a series of talks, workshops and fieldtrips
• Up to 50% off food and drink across all BAO restaurants and discounts across friends in the industry
• Access to curated wine and meat suppliers at trade prices

Rewards & Recognition

• BAOcoin - earn rewards for living BAO values, then spend them in the BAOshop
• BAO Pyramid Scheme - earn up to £500 for referring someone to join the team

Milestones

• Extra holiday and perks to celebrate work anniversaries and milestones

The Group

BAO quite literally means steamed bun. But BAO means so much more than that, a cult brand with a cult following that aims to inspire with design through food. Founded in 2013 by family trio, Erchen Chang, Shing Tat Chung and Wai Ting Chung in a carpark in East London to now spanning 7 restaurants across London, where each has its own story of Taiwanese Culture with unique experience, narrative and menu.

At BAO we seek people who warm our souls through cooking and hospitality. We strive to cultivate an environment where our design is inspiring, where our unconventional way of thinking bring humour and innovation; our detail challenges you to do your best.