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Duty Manager – Theatre Bars & Cafés | National Theatre. The National Theatre is one of the world’s leading cultural venues, presenting bold and inspiring theatre on multiple stages in London and beyond. Our Theatre Bars and Cafés are central to the visitor experience – lively, welcoming spaces where audiences can enjoy great food, drinks, and atmosphere before, during, and after performances. We pride ourselves on creating exceptional hospitality experiences that match the creativity and quality of the shows on our stages. Purpose: As Duty Manager, you’ll be at the heart of the action, leading, motivating, and supporting our team to deliver world-class service in our Theatre Bars and Cafés. You’ll oversee daily operations, support Team Leaders, and ensure seamless coordination with the wider National Theatre venue. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, love hospitality, and want to be part of an iconic cultural institution, we want to hear from you!
Job Responsibility:
Lead & Inspire: Brief, motivate, and guide Team Leaders and Front of House staff to achieve daily targets, KPIs, and uphold exceptional service standards
Deliver an Outstanding Guest Experience: Ensure every visitor enjoys a memorable experience, responding to feedback and anticipating needs
Maintain Excellence in Operations: Oversee food and drink service, stock levels, presentation, and quality. Ensure systems and equipment are operational and maintained
Optimize Performance & Efficiency: Monitor operational performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and maintain smooth day-to-day running of bars and cafés
Drive Team Growth: Support staff development through inductions, training, and 1-2-1 meetings, empowering the team to succeed
Ensure Compliance & Safety: Uphold food safety, health & safety, and incident reporting procedures, creating a safe environment for staff and visitors
Requirements:
A natural leader – you lead by example and are always present on the floor
Passion for exceptional service – you’ll make every visitor feel welcome
Flexibility – evenings, weekends, and bank holidays are integral to the role
At least 2 years’ experience in a similar hospitality or leisure setting
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
Experience in high-volume, multi-service environments
Nice to have:
Knowledge of EPOS and procurement systems (desirable)
Awareness of COSHH & Level 3 Food Hygiene (desirable)
Personal Licence (desirable)
What we offer:
Healthcare & Wellbeing: Medicash health benefits (dental, mental health & optical for you and up to 4 children), free annual health check with Aviva Digicare, discounts at Nuffield Health & Pure Gym, and Employee Assistance Programme
Exclusive Perks & Discounts: 15% off National Theatre bars and cafés, 25% off Bookshop, complimentary show tickets, VIP last-minute O2 show tickets, and discounted onsite parking (£4/day)
Workplace Benefits: Meals on duty, pension scheme, life assurance, professional subscriptions paid
Leave & Family Support: 23 days annual leave + bank holidays, birthday off, additional maternity return leave, a day off for your baby’s 1st birthday, and holiday purchase scheme
Career & Financial Support: Ongoing training & development, career pathways, financial wellbeing programme, and preferred rates on salary finance products