Assistant Banqueting Manager
Location: Highclere Castle
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: £29,000 - £32,000 per annum
Essential Requirements
Before applying, please ensure you meet the following criteria:
- Previous experience within a hotel, restaurant, bar, café, events, or hospitality environment is essential.
- Passion for delivering exceptional customer service and creating memorable guest experiences.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a confident and friendly approach.
- Ability to work flexibly, including Sundays throughout the public open season and additional weekend shifts when required.
- Strong attention to detail and pride in maintaining high service standards.
- Basic understanding of food safety, hygiene, and environmental health procedures.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a fast-paced team in a high-volume visitor environment.
About Highclere Castle
Highclere Castle is one of the world's most recognised heritage attractions and the real-life home of the internationally acclaimed television series Downton Abbey. Welcoming thousands of visitors each year, the Castle offers exceptional hospitality experiences across fine dining, afternoon tea, visitor catering, special events, and seasonal food and beverage operations.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, outgoing, and customer-focused Front of House Assistant to support our Head Butler and Front of House Manager across a variety of hospitality settings within the estate.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to develop their hospitality career while gaining experience in fine dining, afternoon tea service, cocktail operations, banqueting, and large-scale visitor catering within a prestigious and historic venue.
The Opportunity
You will gain valuable experience across a range of hospitality operations, including:
- Fine dining events for family and corporate occasions within the Castle.
- Traditional Afternoon Tea service featuring premium sandwiches, cakes, and teas.
- Busy visitor tea rooms serving up to 1,200 guests per day during peak periods.
- Summer cocktail and snack bars.
- Supporting the promotion and service of Highclere Castle Gin and other beverages.
- Private events, banquets, and exclusive hospitality experiences.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver outstanding customer service to all visitors and guests.
- Assist with food and beverage service across multiple outlets and events.
- Support the setup, operation, and closing of dining rooms, bars, tea rooms, and event spaces.
- Ensure food and drinks are presented and served to the highest standards.
- Maintain a welcoming, professional, and efficient service environment.
- Assist with stock presentation and service preparation.
- Follow food safety, hygiene, health and safety, and environmental health procedures at all times.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
- Represent Highclere Castle professionally and positively at all times.
Skills & ExperienceEssential
- Experience within a hospitality, food service, restaurant, hotel, café, or bar environment.
- Strong customer service skills with a genuine passion for hospitality.
- Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Ability to work calmly and efficiently in a busy environment.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Understanding of food safety and hygiene standards.
- Team-focused attitude with a willingness to support colleagues when needed.
Desirable
- Experience within fine dining, banqueting, hotel, or event service operations.
- Knowledge of banqueting and event hospitality.
- Basic cocktail preparation or bar service experience.
- Culinary knowledge or food service experience.
- Leadership potential and the ability to support and motivate team members.
- Basic numeracy skills for order processing and cash handling.
Working Hours
This role requires flexibility to support the operational needs of the Castle throughout the visitor and events season.
- Sunday working is required during the public open season.
- Additional weekend working, including Saturdays and occasional extra Sundays, may be required.
- Hours will vary depending on visitor numbers, events, and seasonal demand.
Why Join Highclere Castle?
- Work at one of the world's most famous heritage destinations.
- Gain experience across fine dining, banqueting, afternoon tea, cocktail service, and visitor hospitality.
- Develop valuable hospitality and food & beverage skills in a unique environment.
- Be part of a supportive and professional team.
- Contribute to creating exceptional experiences for visitors from around the world.
- Opportunities for career development within the hospitality industry.
Apply Today
If you are enthusiastic about hospitality, enjoy working with people, and take pride in delivering exceptional service, we would love to hear from you.
Join the team at Highclere Castle and help create unforgettable experiences in one of the most iconic heritage venues in the world.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £29,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Newbury RG20 9RN: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- Hospitality: 1 year (required)
- Bartending/food delivery: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
