Job Title
Deputy Butler
Department
SCR
Salary
£29,000 per annum.
Reports to
SCR Butlers and Catering Manager
Coordination with
Kitchen, Buttery, SCR and College Staff
Responsible for (staff)
N/A
Location
Queen’s College, Oxford
The College and the Role
Founded in 1341, The Queen’s College has a strong commitment to academic values, whilst preserving an informal and friendly atmosphere and is one of the oldest constituent Colleges in the University of Oxford. Its membership comprises around 330 undergraduates, 160 graduates, and around 45 Fellows. The Provost is head of the College, and serves as Chair of the Governing Body. There are about 100 support staff working in roles such as administration, housekeeping, catering and maintenance. In addition to rooms for students and Fellows, the College maintains extensive library facilities, seminar and meeting rooms, music rooms, common rooms, and many other facilities to support its academic and cultural life. The College is a lively multi-disciplinary and international community. Further information on the College can be found on its website at www.queens.ox.ac.uk
Purpose of the role
The Senior Common Room (SCR) describes both a community of academic and senior staff, and the various rooms designated for their use. The role of Deputy Butler is a newly created role within the College and it is integral to the developing strength of this small but dynamic SCR team. The purpose of role is to provide the highest level of service to senior members of the College and their guests. Under the guidance of the two Butlers, and in collaboration with the Catering Manager, you will ensure the effective and efficient operation of the SCR, including the supervision and training of more junior members of the catering team. The Butlers and Deputy Butler play a key role within the Catering Department, ensuring that the preparation and presentation of all activities within the SCR meet the College’s highest standards. You will strive to continually improve to meet these high standards in hospitality. Responsibilities of the Deputy Butler shall also include the security and maintenance of equipment and assets, and assisting the Butlers with the management of the wine cellars. The Catering Manager, who oversees both the SCR and Buttery operations, will provide guidance and support for the SCR team, assisting them in achieving and maintaining a superior service and presentation; this includes the smooth running and appropriate management of all food service areas and service quality, personnel and budgetary matters, and Health and Safety and hygiene standards. The Deputy Butler, alongside the Butlers, will manage routine matters in the SCR, exercised within the context of agreed working practices and established budgets. The Butlers are responsible for the line management of the Deputy Butler and it is expected that the Deputy Butler will be competent to run the SCR in the absence of the Butlers. The SCR team will also advise and support with food service for other high-profile College events when requested, and where possible, provide support during other peak times, as the College requires.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are not shown in order of priority or frequency, nor is the list exhaustive, but rather an indication of the type and level of duties expected of the post-holder.
Person Specification
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications:
· Good standard of general education
· Fluency and accuracy in written and spoken English
· Good level of numeracy
X
· Food Hygiene Certificate CIEH level 1 or equivalent
· Food Allergen Certificate
· WSET Level 1 Wine and Spirts Certificate
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK and information to confirm status will be requested at interview
· Experience:
Experience of working in a busy catering operation
Excellent customer care and service skills
Shows a good level of spoken and written English
Experience of working in a similar collegiate environment
Knowledge:
Can demonstrate high levels of service and table set up presentation
Has a basic level for food allergen awareness
Shows good knowledge of wines and spirits
Understands COSHH
Understands stock rotation, food labelling, storage and the basic principles of HACCP
Ability to work within a company food safety policy
Basic knowledge of Microsoft, Outlook, and other booking systems
Skills and Attributes:
Ability to work quickly, calmly and effectively under pressure
Has an eye for detail professionally
Has a high level of personal hygiene and a professional appearance
Is self-motivate and pro-active
Has the ability to use their own initiative
Adaptability and flexibility to manage a variable workload; able to prioritise and undertake tasks in a logical and methodical manner
Is friendly and personable when communicating with others
Flexible attitude to work
Ability to work under instruction and in harmony with colleagues
Willingness to support colleagues
Capable of carrying out work that may involve standing for long periods, lifting and carrying
SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Full terms and conditions of employment will be provided in writing to the successful candidate.
The information below is for guidance only and does not constitute the contract of employment.
Salary: £29,000 per Annum
Oxford Living Wage:
The College has paid the Oxford Living Wage (OLW) since 2022; this rate of pay is linked to the Living Wage Foundation’s Real Living Wage and ensures that wages do not fall below a level of liveable earnings. Increases in the OLW are not determined by the College. Staff paid marginally above the OLW may therefore find, over time, that their rate of pay is matched or overtaken by the OLW. From that point onwards they will be paid the OLW.
Contract /Duration:
This is a permanent full-time position. There will be an initial probationary period of six months. Only after successfully completing this probationary period will the appointment be confirmed.
Hours of Work:
Normal hours of work will be 37.5 hours per week. You will be required to work a mixture of single and split shifts, across 5 out of 7 days, Monday to Sunday. An example of the working hours are as follows:
Early Shift: 07.30 – 3.30pm
Late Shift: 12.00 – 8.30pm or 2.00pm – 10.00pm
Split Shift: 07.30 – 2.00pm/6.00pm – 9.00pm
Working patterns, and an example of the rota will be discussed at interview.
You will normally be advised of the rota two weeks in advance and your line manager will accommodate, as far as possible, your requirements for flexibility.
Breaks are in line with current Working Time Regulations and are unpaid. You may be required to work additional hours when authorised and as necessitated by the needs of the business. Flexibility in work patterns will be needed when the requirements of the role demand this – such as special events.
Probationary and notice periods:
The post is subject to six-month probationary period. The following notice periods are required from you or the College to terminate your employment:
Training will be available where required or where reasonably requested.
Benefits include:
HOW TO APPLY
The appointment will be subject to proof of the right to work in the UK, acceptable references, proof of qualifications, and the satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire.
Any enquiries about the application process should be emailed to HR@queens.ox.ac.uk
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 25th February 2024
Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. We aim to hold interviews in the week commencing 4th March 2024
Data protection
All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post and will be held in accordance with the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation 2018.
Privacy Policy
The College Privacy Policy can be viewed here:
https://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Applicants-for-office.pdf
All data supplied during the application process will be processed and stored in accordance with this policy.
Diversity and Equal Opportunity at Queen’s College
The Queen’s College is an equal opportunities employer and a living wage employer.
Entry into employment with the College and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Applications are particularly welcome from underrepresented groups. We are committed to the principles of equal opportunities and respect for individuals in creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value and celebrate diversity and feel that is critical to achieving our strategic aims and long-term success. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
The College also shares the university’s commitment ‘to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected.’ The university’s full policy is available at https://edu.admin.ox.ac.uk/equality-policy
The College invites all applicants to familiarise themselves with its equal opportunities policy, available at https://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Equal-Opportunities-Policy-May-2020.pdf