Part-Time Pub Duty ManagerGuaranteed Hours, Set Weekly Rota and Genuine Responsibility
The Dun Cow, Hornton, Oxfordshire
£14 per hour
Minimum 15 hours guaranteed every week, with opportunities for up to 25 hours
Permanent, part-time position
Start during August 2026 — no later than 20 August
The Dun Cow is looking for an experienced, confident and dependable person to become our new Part-Time Pub Duty Manager.
This is a genuinely responsible role for someone who enjoys running a pub, knows how to look after customers and can be trusted to take ownership of a shift.
It offers something increasingly difficult to find in hospitality: guaranteed weekly hours, a regular and predictable rota, real independence and the chance to make a visible difference — without the pressure of managing a team.
You will work closely with the owner but will sometimes run the pub independently. You will be trusted to open or close, serve customers, handle payments, maintain standards and make sensible decisions when required.
Alongside the bar work, you will also have the opportunity to contribute to the pub’s events, marketing, stock control and future development.
Regular working pattern
The core working days are:
- Wednesday: 6.00pm until close
- Friday: 4.00pm until close
- Saturday: 4.00pm until close
- Sunday: 4.00pm until close
There may also be occasional optional Thursday shifts when the pub is hosting an event.
Sunday hours may change during the autumn months in response to seasonal trading, but any changes will be discussed and agreed in advance.
The successful applicant will receive a guaranteed minimum of 15 paid hours every week, with opportunities to work up to approximately 20 hours depending on events, seasonal demand and mutual availability.
This makes the role particularly suitable for someone looking for reliable part-time income alongside another job, family responsibilities, study, self-employment or other commitments.
What we offer
- £14 per hour
- At least 15 hours guaranteed every week
- Opportunities for up to approximately 20 hours per week
- A regular rota rather than unpredictable last-minute shifts
- Approximately £210 to £280 per week, depending on hours worked
- A permanent part-time position
- A high level of trust, responsibility and independence
- No responsibility for managing a large staff team
- The chance to influence events, promotions and the direction of the pub
- Direct communication with the owner
- A friendly village pub with regular customers and a strong local identity
- A paid trial shift for successful interview candidates
- The opportunity to start at any suitable point during August
- Additional Thursday shifts may be available for events
This is not a corporate hospitality role. You will not be one of many managers following instructions from a head office.
You will be an important part of a small independent pub where your judgement, reliability and ideas will genuinely matter.
Main responsibilities
Your responsibilities will include:
- Running the pub confidently during your allocated shifts
- Sometimes working independently without another member of staff present
- Opening and closing the premises
- Preparing the bar for service
- Providing warm, friendly and professional customer service
- Serving drinks accurately and responsibly
- Handling cash and card payments
- Completing end-of-shift cashing-up procedures
- Maintaining a clean, welcoming and well-presented pub
- Carrying out stock checks and helping monitor stock levels
- Receiving and checking deliveries where necessary
- Reporting shortages, faults or problems promptly
- Supporting pub events and special evenings
- Helping promote events, offers and activities
- Contributing to social media and local marketing
- Encouraging repeat visits and building positive relationships with customers
- Following licensing, health and safety and responsible-service requirements
- Dealing calmly and professionally with any customer issues
- Keeping the owner properly informed about the business
The role does not involve managing a large team or producing staff rotas.
The emphasis is on confidently running the pub, maintaining standards and taking personal responsibility for your own shifts.
Essential requirements
Applicants must:
- Have previous bar or pub experience
- Be confident serving customers independently
- Be comfortable sometimes running a pub alone
- Be dependable, trustworthy and punctual
- Be able to use initiative and make sensible decisions
- Be comfortable opening and closing licensed premises
- Be available for the regular Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday shifts
- Be willing to work evenings and weekends
- Hold a valid driving licence
- Have reliable access to their own car
- Be able to start by 20 August 2026 at the latest
- Have the right to work in the UK
A car is essential because Hornton has no practical public transport for the required evening finishing times.
Desirable experience
The following would be useful but is not essential:
- Previous duty manager, supervisor, keyholder or shift-leader experience
- A personal licence
- Experience with stocktaking or cellar management
- Experience organising or promoting events
- Confidence using Facebook or other social media for business marketing
- Basic kitchen or food-service experience
- Knowledge of licensing requirements
- Experience cashing up and closing a licensed premises
Applicants with a personal licence are particularly encouraged to apply, although we are happy to consider experienced candidates who do not currently hold one.
Who this role would suit
This position would suit somebody who:
- Enjoys getting to know regular customers
- Takes pride in running a welcoming and well-organised pub
- Wants stable part-time hours rather than casual or unreliable shifts
- Likes having responsibility and being trusted
- Can work without constant supervision
- Notices what needs doing and gets on with it
- Has ideas and enjoys helping a business improve
- Wants a role where their contribution will be recognised
- Prefers working in an independent pub rather than a large chain
We are looking for someone who does more than simply stand behind the bar.
You should be the sort of person who can walk into the pub, take ownership of the shift, make customers feel welcome and leave everything properly organised at the end of the evening.
Application and interview process
We are interviewing immediately and will review applications as soon as they are received.
When applying, please include:
- Your CV or a clear summary of your previous bar and hospitality experience.
- A brief explanation of why this particular role interests you.
- Confirmation that you hold a valid driving licence.
- Confirmation that you have reliable access to your own car.
- Confirmation that you can regularly work Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
- Whether you currently hold a personal licence.
- The earliest date you could start.
- Several possible dates and times when you could attend a face-to-face interview at The Dun Cow in Hornton.
Suitable candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview followed by a trial shift.
We are looking to appoint quickly, and the position may be filled as soon as the right person is found.
Expected start date: during August 2026 and no later than 20 August 2026.
Pay: £14.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Do you own a car and can drive independently?
Work Location: In person
