Assistant Restaurant Manager

Luxury Boutique Hotel | Restaurant, Events & Private Dining

Alfriston, East Sussex

Up to £40,000 Package
40-Hour Week | Paid Overtime | Staff Accommodation Available

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Assistant Restaurant Manager to join the Food & Beverage team at a beautiful luxury boutique hotel in the heart of the East Sussex countryside.

Set within one of the South Downs' most picturesque villages, this highly regarded property combines an elegant restaurant, relaxed bar and lounge dining, boutique bedrooms, private events and beautiful courtyard spaces.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious hospitality professional looking to take on genuine responsibility within a quality-led operation, with the added benefits of a 40-hour contract, paid overtime and a strong service charge bringing the potential overall package towards £40,000.

The Hotel

Part of a small, family-owned collection of distinctive luxury hotels, the property is known for characterful surroundings, warm hospitality and highly personal service.

The food and beverage operation is varied and includes:

Elegant 60-cover restaurant
Bar and lounge dining for approximately 70 guests
Room service across 29 bedrooms
Courtyard dining for up to 100 covers
Private dining, events and banqueting

For an Assistant Restaurant Manager, this provides excellent exposure across a much broader operation than simply managing a single restaurant floor.

The Role

Working closely with the senior Food & Beverage management team, you'll help oversee the day-to-day restaurant and wider F&B operation while remaining very much hands-on and visible throughout service.

Your responsibilities will include:

Supporting the daily management of the restaurant and wider F&B operation
Leading the front-of-house team throughout preparation and service
Maintaining consistently high standards of guest experience
Overseeing restaurant, lounge, courtyard and room service operations
Supporting private dining, functions and events
Training, motivating and developing the front-of-house team
Helping create a positive and professional service culture
Supporting rotas and effective labour management
Assisting with departmental budgets and operational controls
Managing wine, liquor and service-product requisitions
Supporting stock control and purchasing
Maintaining excellent presentation and hygiene standards
Handling guest feedback professionally and proactively
Deputising for senior management when required

About You

We're looking for someone who has:

Previous experience as an Assistant Restaurant Manager, Restaurant Supervisor or similar
Experience within quality restaurants, boutique hotels or luxury hospitality
Strong food and beverage knowledge
Excellent guest-service skills
A warm, polished and professional approach
Confidence leading and motivating a front-of-house team
Strong organisation and attention to detail
An understanding of stock, labour and operational controls
The ability to remain calm and organised during busy services
A hands-on leadership style and willingness to lead from the floor
Genuine ambition to continue developing within hospitality management

Working Pattern

40 contracted hours per week
5 days per week
Weekend working included
Additional hours above the contracted 40 hours are paid
Full-time, permanent position

The Package

Potential overall package up to circa £40,000 including service charge
Equal share of the property's 12.5% service charge
Paid overtime above 40 contracted hours
Staff accommodation may be available for full-time employees
Meals whilst on duty
28 days holiday per year
Holiday entitlement increasing to 30 days after two years
Discounted stays across the hotel collection
Food and beverage discounts across the collection
Employee of the Year programme including a £500 prize plus a complimentary two-night stay
Training and career development within a respected family-owned hotel collection

Why This Role?

This is a particularly attractive opportunity for an Assistant Restaurant Manager looking for the combination of quality hospitality, strong earning potential and a sensible contracted working week.

With a package potentially approaching £40,000, a 40-hour contract with additional hours paid, possible staff accommodation and genuine management exposure across restaurant service, private dining, events, bars and hotel operations, there's considerably more here than a standard Assistant Restaurant Manager position.

For someone looking to strengthen their luxury hospitality experience and continue progressing towards senior restaurant or F&B management, this is an excellent next step.