Observatory Manager

Hastings Hotels is a family owned, luxury hotel group based in Northern Ireland.

We value our people. It's our people who provide the excellent experience we offer to all our guests. When we work together we can do amazing things.

Are you a motivated, proactive person who cares deeply about creating exceptional experiences for your guests? Do you take personal pride in delivering 5 star, luxury service? If so, we would welcome you to apply for the position of Beverage Manager at the exclusive Grand Central Hotel.

Supported by our inspiring General Manager, Jake McHugh, you will provide leadership to our Observatory team, ensuring the smooth day-to-day management of our busy Food and Beverage department. We want to help you to develop your skills and offer an extensive range of learning and development opportunities.

The successful candidate will have worked in a similar Bar environment and be able to lead, motivate and support team members to achieve success. You can expect to work 45 hours per week (excluding breaks), five shifts out seven including weekends. As Beverage Manager you will have a fully flexible approach as working patterns will include days, evenings and weekends as required. Find out more about why our people love working for Hastings Hotels here.

The salary for this full time position is £35,500 per annum.

In addition to a competitive salary, aligned to your experience, Hastings Hotels offer a range of benefits including free staff meals, employee discounts, cash and credit card tips, an excellent service charge shared across the team, 29 days holiday plus your birthday and opportunities for career progression and development.

The company reserves the right to apply enhanced short-listing criteria.

To find out more about Hastings Hotels and what our company offers please visit

Hastings Hotels is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

About The Role

To be responsible for the management of the Bars for the greatest enjoyment of the guests and maximum profit contribution to the hotel.

1. To manage and motivate employees through effective communication, training and development, in accordance with company policies and relevant employment legislation, ensuring HR procedures are followed.

2. To ensure bar stocks are fully maintained and that goods and products are properly displayed to a high standard.

3. To prepare and dispense drinks as requested by guests, maintaining high standards of presentation

4. To ensure the team are knowledgeable about the facilities and services within the hotel and are proactive in the sale of these to guests.

5. To ensure you and the team assist guests with any reasonable request for hotel services.

6. To ensure you and the team respond to complaints and find the appropriate solution.

7. To ensure that the bar, customer areas and equipment are maintained in a clean and tidy manner in accordance with Hastings standards.

8. To receive payments for beverages sold and record drinks and goods sold to guests in residence, in accordance with operating procedures.

9. To use equipment and bar pumps efficiently, to maintain proper measures and ensure minimum wastage.

10. To work effectively with colleagues to ensure a harmonious working environment where all employees are treated with respect and dignity

11. To promote and contribute to a harmonious working environment where all staff are treated with respect and dignity.

12. To contribute to and agree annual budgets, putting in place appropriate mechanisms to effectively manage costs and all factors relating to the profitable performance of the bar, ensuring appropriate plans are created, agreed, communicated, implemented and reviewed.

13. To ensure Hastings quality standards and procedures are fully understood, implemented and regularly reviewed, and that formal and informal feedback is used to ensure continual improvement.

14. To ensure company policies relating to cash handling, stock control and stock ordering are implemented and monitored, taking appropriate action to resolve problems.

15. To ensure the team receive appropriate training, coaching and development to provide effective and efficient service in line with Hastings standards.

16. To maintain the security of stock areas at all times, immediately reporting any breaches.

17. To comply with all health, safety, hygiene and licensing policies and procedures.

18. To maintain effective communication and relationships with other hotel departments, suppliers and agencies to maintain an effective operation and ensure guest satisfaction.

19. To ensure the bar area, fixtures and equipment are properly maintained and presented to Hastings standards.

20. To ensure a safe environment is maintained in compliance with health, safety, fire, hygiene and security legislation and company policies and procedures.

21. To seek and continuously develop knowledge relating to the industry sector and competitor activity, to provide input into future plans and activities, and so maintain and enhance market position.

22. To assist with the recruitment, selection and utilisation of bar employees to achieve the optimum use of employee resource in line with business peaks and troughs.

23. To ensure the hotel's compliance with all matters relating to licensing laws, Customs and Excise Regulations and all other relevant legislation.

24. To carry out Duty Manager duties as required.

25. Any other duties as required by Management.

About You

We would love you to be a passionate, inspiring leader, with similar previous experience gained within a quality catering establishment

Required Criteria

• Right to Work in the United Kingdom
• Must have experience in preparing rosters and wage forecasting
• Must have strong operational and bar management experience along with a good awareness of cash handling, stock control, stock ordering and budgeting
• Excellent communication and good numeracy skills
• Educated to GCSE standard or the equivalent with grades A-C in English and Maths
• Have excellent customer care and organisational skills, with all round experience in food and beverage.
• Previous experience of managing a team in a similar operation

Desired Criteria

• Educated to third level standard
• Previous bar management experience gained in a hotel

Skills Needed

Bar Skills, Bar Service, Menu/Product Knowledge, Exceptional Customer Service Skills, Supervisory Skills

About The Company

For more than 60 years, we have built a reputation for placing quality at the heart of everything we do. Our properties boast exceptional interior design and are meticulously maintained, while we source local food and drink to provide our guests with an unparalleled dining experience. At Hastings Hotels, we understand that our guests remember the small details, such an open fire in the front hall, supremely comfortable beds, and fabulous breakfast. That’s why we place a great emphasis on recruitment, induction, and integrating our staff into their department, hotel, and the Group. We believe that the right behaviours and attitudes are more critical than every last qualification, and we can help you attain that. We’re committed to working with you to help develop your career with us, and we promise to do everything we can to support you on that journey.

Company Culture

At Hastings Hotels, we know that great hospitality starts with great people. We have been proud to operate as a business grounded in care, respect, and opportunity, where every team member is valued, supported, and celebrated for who they are and what they contribute. To support your employee journey and your skills development, we provide comprehensive on-the-job training and personalised career development programs, ensuring a fulfilling career with us. This commitment to diversity and inclusion has been recognised by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI), and we are proud to be recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s top employers. From physical and mental wellbeing to learning, inclusion, and personal growth, our people are at the heart of everything we do.

Company Benefits

We offer a range of benefits including free staff meals, cash and credit card tips, employee discounts, 29 days holiday plus your birthday, and opportunities for career progression and development.

Vacation, Paid time off, Retirement plan and/or pension, Employee development programs, Employee discounts, Competitive salary, Preferential room rates, Family and friends rates, Discount on meals purchased , Discount on spa treatments or products, Free meals during shifts, Free parking or Discounted parking , Employee Assistance Scheme, Wellbeing Scheme, Employee Recognition Scheme, On the job learning, Access to Health & Wellbeing app, Long service awards, Staff celebration events, Company employee App

Salary

£35,500.00 per year