Job Title
Butler’s Assistant
Department
Senior Common Room
Grade
N/A
Reports to
College Butlers
Coordination with
Catering manager, Kitchen, Buttery, Fellows and guests
Responsible for (staff)
Location
The Queen’s College, Oxford
The College
Founded in 1341, Queen’s 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.
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 past decade has witnessed a very substantial programme of refurbishment and construction, including the building of a new kitchen and a new auditorium on the main site, and a new underground extension to the Library.
The College Catering Department, Butler and Buttery teams have a long history of providing a very high standard of food and service to its many students, Fellows, staff and guests throughout the year. There are regular formal dinners or banquets in Hall where students and Fellows come together to dine in term time, as well as dinners or events in the New Dining Room, Memorial Room, Magrath Room and other locations throughout the year.
Purpose of the role
The Butlers and their team look after the Senior Common Room, the rooms used by the Fellows of the College. The Butlers and the team are responsible for the provision of excellent services and presentation to members and guests using the Senior Common Rooms. They also are involved in the management of Queen’s fine wine cellar and they assist in choosing wines for events and dining. The Butlers’ Assistant can expect to learn a great deal about fine wines in this role.
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
Are you passionate about delivering the best possible food and beverage service? We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable person with a flexible approach to work. Previous experience of dealing with the public in a customer service role would be advantageous. You will be trained in serving silver-service meals and drinks, including fine-dining dinners, taking charge of small events and cleaning and setting up food and beverage areas and meeting rooms in the College. There may be an opportunity to take a wines and spirits course to further your learning and role.
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Good standard of general education:
· Good communication skills – written and verbal. Fluency and accuracy in written and spoken English is required in order to read menus and safely advise and serve correct meals to customers with dietary requirements
· Good level of numeracy
· Able to use a computer/IT systems (Microsoft word, excel, etc) to a reasonable standard
X
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK and information to confirm status will be requested at interview
Experience and Knowledge
Experience in a food service environment
Level 2 in food safety in catering
Experience in food allergen and special dietary requirements
Ability to achieve and maintain required service levels and standards of hygiene
Holds a wine and spirit training certificate
Experience of Health and Safety in a food setting
Possess relevant skills and experience
Proven customer service experience
Personal Attributes
Enthusiastic, and ability and willingness to learn new skills
Willing to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, bank holidays as the business requires
Ability to cope under pressure in a calm manner to meet deadlines
Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision
Adaptability and flexibility to manage a variable workload; able to prioritise and undertake tasks in a logical and methodical manner
Physically fit and able to stand for prolonged periods of time
Good standard of personal presentation
Good communication skills with ability to relate to senior staff members, staff, students
Attention to detail
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
£22,133 per annum which calculates to £11.35 per hour.
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. Ideally, the postholder will commence as soon as possible following a successful interview.
Hours of work
This is a full-time post of 37.5 hours per week including weekends and evenings, on a rota basis 5 out of 7 days.
Probationary and notice periods
The post is subject to six-month probationary period. The appointment may be terminated by either side giving one week’s written notice during the first six months, and one month thereafter.
Benefits include:
Appointment Procedure
Referees will be contacted before appointment is made. If you are called to interview you will be asked to bring documentation to prove your right to work in the UK.
Ideally, the appointee will take up the post as soon as possible.
HOW TO APPLY
Click ‘Apply online’ at the foot of this web page and complete the application form - which must include the contact details of two referees - and the Supporting Statement section stating why you are interested in the post and how your qualifications and experience match our essential and desired requirements. Please study the job description and person specification and explain what skills and personal qualities you would bring to the College, how they relate to the post you have applied for and demonstrate your ability to undertake the duties of the post.
The appointment will be subject to proof of the right to work in the UK, acceptable references, proof of any required qualifications and the satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire.
Any enquiries about the application process should be emailed to HR@queens.ox.ac.uk
Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled, and interviews will be held as soon as suitable applications are received.
Data protectionAll 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/sites/www.queens.ox.ac.uk/files/Applicants-for-office.pdf
All data supplied to us 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.
For more information, visit https://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/equality-information
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/sites/www.queens.ox.ac.uk/files/Equal-Opportunities-Policy-%28May%202020%29.pdf