As Assistant Manager, you'll be the General Manager's right hand and a visible presence on the floor. You'll lead shifts, look after our team and our guests, and help drive the standards, sales and atmosphere that make The Mermaid the place to be in Burford.
This is a hands-on role for someone who genuinely enjoys hospitality — pulling the perfect pint, recommending a wine, knowing the regulars by name, and stepping up to run the pub when the GM is off.
About Us
The Mermaid is a much-loved community pub at the heart of Burford, one of the prettiest market towns in the Cotswolds. We're a wet-led pub with a strong focus on great cask ales, a thoughtfully curated wine list and a warm, genuine welcome for locals and visitors alike.
We're part of The Warm Welcome group, which also operates The Chequers in Chipping Norton. We believe pubs are the beating heart of their community, and we're looking for someone who shares that belief and wants to help us build something special in Burford.
What you'll be doing
- Running shifts confidently from open to close, including duty management responsibility
- Leading from the front behind the bar — serving customers, mixing drinks and keeping standards high
- Supporting the GM with rotas, ordering, stock control and supplier deliveries
- Coaching and developing our front-of-house team, including training new starters
- Cashing up, banking and basic financial admin at the end of trade
- Owning cellar management — line cleaning, beer quality, gas changes and stock rotation
- Helping to build the pub's reputation through events, social media content and community engagement
- Making sure we're fully compliant with licensing, health & safety, food hygiene and allergen requirements
- Stepping up as the senior person on site whenever the GM is away
Who we're looking for
- At least 2 years' experience in a supervisory or assistant management role in a pub, bar or restaurant
- Genuine passion for hospitality and a love of pubs done well
- Confident running a busy shift and making decisions on your feet
- Strong cellar skills and a real interest in cask ale and wine
- Calm, friendly leadership style — people enjoy working for you
- Comfortable with EPOS systems, basic spreadsheets and end-of-day cash procedures
- Living within a sensible commute of Burford, or willing to relocate
Nice to have
- WSET Level 2 or equivalent wine knowledge
- Cask Marque or comparable cellar training
- Previous experience in a tied tenancy or independent pub
- Local knowledge of the Cotswolds and Burford area
What we offer
- Competitive salary plus a share of tronc
- 28 days' holiday including bank holidays, rising with service
- Discounted food and drink accross both our pubs
- Genuine career development — we're growing, and we promote from within
- Funded training, including personal licence, cellar courses and WSET where relevant
- Workplace pension
- Being part of a small, ambitious independent group
- A proper say in how the pub is run
Pay: From £38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
