Job Description

Department/Team: Backstage Operations

Hours: 24 hrs weekly contract (working flexibly across evening, weekend, and Bank Holidays; in line with performance schedules and according to business needs).

Location: The Old Vic, The Cut, London, SE1 8NB

Salary: £16.31 per hour

Responsible to: Backstage General Manager

Backstage

Backstage is a project for the future – a six-storey space for creativity, education and community right next door to our historic building. Together with award-winning architects Haworth Tompkins, we have built a low-carbon building that includes:

• A welcoming public café and workspace during the day, which evolves into a vibrant bar and restaurant at night
• A Clore Learning Centre for our award-winning outreach work
• A Writers’ Room where creatives can work
• A free to use Script Library
• A modern and flexible rehearsal room which can transform into a Studio theatre
• An event space and terrace

We believe Backstage creates a stronger The Old Vic for the future, providing a welcoming space for our generation and the next.

Within Backstage, the F&B offer is primarily centred around the ground floor and first-floor café and bar space – but also extends to event catering provision and a grab-and-go offer for the theatre. The daytime artisanal café will serve the very best coffee, coupled with delicious baked goods. A comfortable place where culture meets great coffee in a vibrant and dynamic space. This same space then seamlessly transitions into an enticing evening bar – a destination. A socially inspired bar/dining offer; celebrating cultural diversity, vibe and buzz in a stylish and comfortable environment coupled with a strong ‘sense of place’ as an intrinsic part of The Old Vic as a whole.

The Team

The Backstage F&B team is responsible for all Food & Beverage related activities within Backstage and The Old Vic theatre itself. The team includes the Operations Director, Backstage General Manager, Head of FOH Operations, Head of Customer Experience, Backstage Chef, Chef de Partie, KPs, Backstage Duty Managers, and Backstage FOH Crew (Bartenders, Baristas and Waiting staff).

The post holder reports to the Backstage General Manager. By the nature of the post, they will work with all departments of The Old Vic Group.

Role summary

The role of the Backstage Duty Manager is to manage the Backstage Operations, including all relevant staff for designated service and events, as specified by the Backstage General Manager. Always ensuring the comfort and safety of The Old Vic’s audience.

Areas of responsibility

Operational responsibilities

• Operate the EPOS/till systems and accurately process all transactions.
• Solve EPOS/till systems problems and challenges if required.
• Carry out opening and closing duties, according to the rota.
• Assist with stock rotation, stock counts and stocktake as required.
• Report maintenance, health & safety, or customer service issues to management.
• Support events, private hires, and theatre hospitality functions as necessary.
• Keep up to date with knowledge of products, menus, wines, beers and any ‘specials’.
• Support Backstage General Manager with staff training and product knowledge.
• Carry out closing the Backstage building and set alarm system.

Management

• Acting as the primary point of contact for staff and guests.
• Representing The Old Vic values and mission to staff, company, customers and clients.
• Leading on fire evacuation to ensure the safety of guest and staff.
• Liaising with staff and management in events of emergency and evacuation.
• Managing the daily Headline Security Team, to ensure that the building and patrons are safe and secure, following procedures and protocols.
• Ensure H&S is always adjured to staff and audience.

Shift Responsibilities & Logistics

• Create a daily briefing sheet for Backstage team, to ensure staff are informed about space and service movements.
• Ensure table bookings are set for service.
• Liaise with Chefs regarding out-of-stock food and record on tills for staff knowledge and service.
• Liaising with the Security Team and staff for any requirements and responsibilities for service and space.
• Point of contact for staff, company, and guests throughout the service.
• Responder for first aid and evacuation.
• Writing daily End of Night Reports.

General

• Promoting and complying with current legislation and The Old Vic policies on Diversity, Sustainability, and Health & Safety both in the delivery of services and the treatment of others.
• Undertaking any other reasonable duties, commensurate with the level of the post to ensure the smooth running of Backstage.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and the Theatre's management may, at any time, allocate other tasks which are of a similar nature or level.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The post holder must be able to demonstrate the following:

Essential

• Proven experience of working as a Duty Manager or Supervisor in a comparable space or venue.
• Proven experience of leading a team in an on-the-ground capacity.
• A proven ability to provide a high level of customer service in an often highly pressurised environment.
• Highly motivated with a positive and flexible approach to work and ability to adapt quickly to new information and procedures.
• IT literacy, with good experience of the Microsoft Office suite and Excel in particular.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent literacy and numeracy.
• A proven ability to work as both part of a team and independently.
• Good timekeeping.

How to apply

We understand that everyone is different and we want you to apply in whichever way you feel best shows your skills and experience. There are a range of ways that you can apply with us:

1. Sending a short video file of yourself (no longer than two minutes in length), detailing your experience, why you are applying for the role and what about working at The Old Vic interests you (have a look at the person specification in the job description).
2. Sending a short audio file of yourself (no longer than two minutes in length), detailing your experience, why you are applying for the role and what about working at The Old Vic interests you.
3. Completing our application form.
4. Uploading your CV and covering letter, explaining why you are interested in the role and working at The Old Vic.

As a Disability Confident employer, The Old Vic has made a commitment that all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for this job will be invited to interview. However in the event that we have a high volume of applications all of whom meet the criteria and identify as disabled, meaning it is not practicable to interview everyone, we may apply a weighting to the shortlisting criteria, or add an additional shortlisting stage before any interviews take place. In all cases we will take care to ensure that any criteria or weightings do not disadvantage disabled applicants.

All appointments are made subject to satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

The Process

Applications will close on Friday 2 October at 11:59pm

The recruitment process for this role will be on the week commencing Monday 12 October 2026:

• 1st stage in person conversation
• 2nd stage in person two hour trial shift

Equal Opportunities

We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people of the global majority, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse and disabled candidates.

We may take positive action, in cases where candidates are equally qualified, to increase the employment of under-represented groups at The Old Vic.

In the event that we ask you to attend the theatre for a conversation and are facing financial barriers, we may be able to reimburse you for any reasonable travel costs.

We partner with a range of inclusive organisations, to find out more please read our FAQs.

FAQs

Read our recruitment and selection and equal opportunities FAQs here.