Catering Bar Assistant

Catering Bar Assistant

Location: London - Bedford Square

Department: Catering

Reporting to: Bar Manager

Starting Date: As soon as possible

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours of work: Full-time; 35hours per week. Working 5 days per week (Monday to Saturday) on rota basis. Shifts are typically between 7am to 9pm, or later if required.

The Architectural Association was founded in 1847, opening as a day school in 1901. The AA is committed to public benefit attained by the learning, teaching, discussion and promotion of architecture. The School is recognised as a worldwide leader in architectural education, with graduates that include many of the world's leading architects, scholars, critics and educators. The academic and professional programmes of study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, up to and including doctoral level, are validated by external professional and academic bodies.

The AA campus is located in historic 18th century Bedford Square in London with a 350 acre woodland setting in Hooke Park in Dorset. The AA has an annual revenue of £18 million, a student body of 1000 students, 200 faculty, 90 staff, 6,500 members and thousands of visitors that come to engage with the most relevant debates in architecture today.

Role Overview

This is a customer-facing role within the bar and catering team. You will serve food and drinks, support events across the school and assist in the kitchen when needed.

Main Responsibilities:

• Serve hot and cold drinks, food and alcohol soft cold and hot drinks, food and alcohol
• Provide a friendly and approachable service to students, staff and visitors
• Handle payments accurately
• Prepare coffee using a manual machine, including milk texturing and basic machine maintenance to Standard Operating Procedures.
• Support and restock bar supplies, fridges and shelves.
• Receive and store deliveries correctly across stock rooms
• Keep all food and beverage areas clean, organised and well maintained.
• Support the setup, service and closing down of private functions and school events.
• Assist and support the kitchen team in the dining room when required
• Maintain cleanliness across the bar and service areas including FMB, BMR and Bar
• Follow food safety and health and safety requirements at all times

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

All staff must:

• Comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements (e.g. Finance, HR, Health & Safety)
• Adhere to the requirements set out in the AA Code of Behavioural Expectations and other institutional policies.

Person Specification

Skills:

• Strong customer service and communication skills
• Good numeracy skills for handling payments
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to multitask in a busy environment
• Problem solving and ability to use initiative

Experience:

• Previous experience in a bar, café or customer facing role
• Experience preparing coffee using a manual machine
• Experience handling stock, deliveries or event setup is desirable

Qualifications and training:

• Basic food safety knowledge
• Willing to complete further health and safety training

Attributes:

• Flexible and able to adapt to changing priorities
• Positive and proactive approach to work
• Works well as part of a team and supports colleagues
• Maintains a professional and respectful approach with colleagues, students and visitors
• Communicates clearly and calmly, even under pressure

Creative thinking and problem-solving are essential skills for AA employees. Ideal candidates will be high-energy individuals and team players.

What we offer:

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, including up to 40 days' leave per annum, in addition to Bank Holiday, a defined pension scheme, season ticket loans and access to professional development opportunities.

You will also be able to take part and be involved in a creative and unique teaching environment, where the students display their amazing work with various on-site exhibitions, public programmes and lectures.

Our Bedford Square campus is based just a 5-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road station, right in the heart of Central London.

How to Apply:

Please email the below documents by the closing date of 10th June 2026 stating the job title in the subject heading.

• AA Application Form
• Cover Letter / Email highlighting why you feel you are the right person for the role. This should be no more than two-pages
• Full CV We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. Interviews will be held the week commencing on 15th June 2026.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Please note that it will not be possible for the AA School to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for successful candidates. Therefore, the appointed candidate will need to be eligible to work in the UK for the duration of their employment with the AA School, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

Thank you for your interest in the AA and this role. Please visit the AA website to complete the AA Application Form as part of your application.