Venues Manager

University of Essex; Colchester; On-site; GBP 29,588 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Student discount

Wellbeing benefits

Team events & socials

Pension scheme

Job summary

Essex Students' Union is seeking an Assistant Manager (Venues) to lead shifts and day-to-day operations across the SU’s licensed venues, including clubs and student bars. You’ll be a people person, strong on communication, and adept at promoting a positive culture while supporting staff and customer service excellence.

You will work regular late nights and weekends, supervise staff, manage rostas and payroll, and ensure safety, licensing, and financial targets are met across all venues on campus.

Qualifications

• Experience managing staff in busy venues.
• Proven ability to deliver high customer service standards.
• Ability to manage cash handling and shift operations.
• Familiarity with health and safety and licensing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Run shifts and day-to-day operations of the venues.
• Promote great culture and manage staff performance.
• Ensure venues meet standards and customer needs are met.
• Lead training programmes for student staff across venues.
• Prepare venues for opening and complete safety checks.
• Manage rosters, leave, and payroll submissions.
• Monitor costs and report monthly financials.
• Ensure compliance with licensing and safety regulations.
• Support events to drive sales and student engagement.
• Collaborate with marketing to boost footfall and revenue.
• Maintain records for licensing, training, and stock management.

Skills

People management

Communication

Venue operations

Customer service

Staff training

Administrative processes

Budget awareness

GDPR compliance

Tools

MS Office

Stock management systems

Job description

Assistant Manager (Venues)

Job details

• Salary: £29,588 per annum
• Region: SU - Venues
• Package: Full-time, permanent
• Job reference: R0472
• Contract term: Permanent
• Hours: 35 hours per week, including late nights and weekends

We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive enough applications.

Job Description

Reporting to the Head of Venues, Bars and Catering, you will be responsible for running shifts and the day-to-day operation of any of the SU’s licensed venues including our nightclub and student bars. We are looking for a real people’s person, someone who is a strong communicator and is a natural at promoting great culture and managing staff.

You will be ensuring that standards are maintained and that customer needs are met.

You will be expected to work regular late nights and weekends in line with venue opening times.

Responsibilities

• Ensure excellent customer service and quality standards are delivered and maintained throughout all Students' Union venues.
• Deliver a Net Promoter Score (NPS) in line with Union targets and develop action plans to achieve world-class customer satisfaction.
• Ensure all venues are maintained to a high standard, creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all members and visitors.
• Continue to meet and exceed membership and visitor expectations by regularly reviewing customer feedback and implementing service improvements.
• Work with the HR department to develop and deliver consistent training programmes for all student staff across the venues.
• Prepare venues for daily opening, ensuring all operational, safety, and cleanliness checks are completed.
• Complete end-of-day closing procedures, including cash handling, till reconciliation, and secure banking processes.
• Supervise the responsible sale of alcohol, ensuring compliance with licensing legislation and Challenge 25 procedures.
• Manage staff rotas, annual leave, absence, and weekly payroll submissions in line with staffing budgets.
• Monitor labour costs and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while maintaining service standards.
• Ensure financial targets are achieved by monitoring sales performance, controlling expenditure, and producing monthly financial reports.
• Work closely with the Cellar and Stock Controller to carry out regular stock takes, line cleaning, stock ordering, wastage control, and inventory management.
• Monitor gross profit margins and implement pricing, purchasing, and waste reduction initiatives to maximise profitability.
• Work alongside chefs and kitchen teams to maintain food quality, hygiene standards, and compliance with food safety legislation.
• Ensure all Health & Safety, Food Safety, Fire Safety, and licensing regulations are fully complied with, recording and investigating accidents and incidents where required.
• Conduct regular venue audits and risk assessments, ensuring corrective actions are implemented promptly.
• Recruit, induct, train, coach, and develop permanent and student staff, conducting regular one-to-ones, appraisals, and performance reviews.
• Lead by example during busy service periods, providing visible leadership and supporting the team to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
• Mentor and support Duty Managers, Supervisors, and Team Leaders, providing coaching and operational guidance.
• Manage employee relations issues in line with Union policies, including disciplinary, grievance, attendance, and performance management processes.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver events that drive sales and student engagement, including themed nights, live entertainment, club events, and promotional campaigns.
• Work with the Marketing team to develop promotional plans, social media campaigns, and venue communications to increase footfall and revenue.
• Analyse sales data and customer trends to identify opportunities for business growth and service improvements.
• Build strong relationships with Students' Union departments, student groups, suppliers, and external partners to support venue success.
• Manage supplier relationships, placing orders and ensuring best value for money while maintaining product quality.
• Ensure all equipment is maintained and report maintenance issues promptly to minimise operational disruption.
• Maintain accurate operational records, including licensing documentation, training records, cleaning schedules, stock records, and compliance documentation.
• Support sustainability initiatives by reducing waste, improving recycling practices, and promoting environmentally responsible operations.
• Respond professionally to customer complaints and feedback, ensuring issues are resolved quickly and effectively.
• Support the delivery of Union-wide projects, including Freshers' Week, elections, open days, graduation events, and major campus activities.
• Undertake additional duties and projects as required to support the wider Commercial Services and Students' Union objectives.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

• Strong people management skills
• Evidence of previous experience working in a related field
• Experience of administrative processes and systems management
• Able to evidence delivery of an excellent customer service to a wide range of stakeholders
• Ability to display tact and diplomacy
• Ability to work proactively to meet organisational targets
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of MS Office
• Ensure all data and information is managed in line with GDPR Regulations
• Holds a personal license (or can undertake and pass)
• Experience of stock management including use of back-office stock management programs
• Experience of producing a staff rota in line with budgets
• Demonstrate shift management experience in a busy licensed venue
• Experience of supervising, motivating, and developing staff teams
• Excellent communication skills, with emphasis on face-to-face communication
• Experience of delivering excellent customer service, including resolving complaints
• Ability to work as part of a team, supporting the work of colleagues and supervising student staff
• Basic IT Skills, i.e. Microsoft Office, and Email communication
• Ability to build effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Knowledge of risk assessments, health and safety and child protections considerations in relation to relevant activities

Perks

Student discount

As a member of the Essex SU Team, you’ll get access to local (20% off at selected SU Venues) and national student discounts with brands like Student Beans and UniDays.

Wellbeing

From staff 5-aside football, run club, onsite gym and staff wellbeing walks on our stunning Colchester campus getting your wellbeing and work-life balance is important to us.

Work hard, play hard

Enjoy a Christmas-to-new-year shutdown (no extra holiday days required), the ability to purchase extra annual leave, a bonus day off for your birthday, and the opportunity to get involved in our volunteering scheme.

Company get togethers

Every Monday, we review the past week, discuss the upcoming one, and celebrate milestones, birthdays, and special occasions. We also host a Christmas staff day and SU Staff Awards in the summer to honour achievements.

People First Policies

We also have a variety of inclusive policies to support our staff, from enhanced maternity leave to pet bereavement leave.

Equality & diversity

We are committed to equality and diversity, being the first SU in the country awarded the investors in people mark.

Pension and Pay

With a generous pension scheme, we’ll invest in your future as well as your present.