Castle Bromwich Hall and Gardens Trust – Front of House Manager
We’re looking for an experienced Front of House, Cafe and Shop Manager to lead and develop our historic Gardens vibrant Visitor Experience and to take the operations to the next stage.
Job Description: Front of House, Café & Shop Manager
Organisation: Castle Bromwich Hall and Gardens Trust
Location: Birmingham/Solihull
Employment Type: Full-Time, Fixed Term (12 months), with permanent potential
Salary: £25,123 to £29,621 (dependent on experience)
Reports to: CEO/General Manager
How to Apply:
Please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience in small site hospitality management and sustainability to castlebromparklandteam@gmail.com
Closing Date: Thursday 2nd April 2026
NB We will be in direct contact with those who we wish to call to interview soon after the closing date.
Interviews likely W/C 13th April
The Opportunity: Leading a Vibrant Visitor Experience
Are you a hospitality leader who knows how to balance a warm welcome with a sharp eye for the bottom line? Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens is seeking a dynamic Front of House (FOH) Manager to spearhead our commercial operations. You will oversee our café, shop and visitor services, ensuring operational excellence, high standards, and a “green‑conscious” approach that respects our heritage.
Key Responsibilities
* Profitability & Commercial Growth
o Drive sales in the café and shop through proactive upselling, seasonal promotions, and attractive merchandising.
o Manage margins, reduce waste, and monitor stock levels to ensure commercial viability of all FOH departments.
o Build strong relationships with local suppliers for high‑quality, ethical produce at competitive prices.
* Team Leadership & Building
o Recruit, train, and inspire paid staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of mutual respect and high performance.
o Act as the vital link between the FOH team and senior management, ensuring clear information flow regarding events, targets, and daily priorities.
o Collaborate with the wider Trust team to align café and shop offerings with the Gardens’ seasonal calendar.
* The Visitor Experience & Atmosphere
o Ensure the café and shop are welcoming, clean, and vibrant spaces that reflect the beauty of our historic setting.
o Lead by example in delivering a “Gold Standard” welcome, ensuring visitors feel valued from the moment they arrive at admissions.
o Maintain impeccable presentation standards across all visitor‑facing areas.
* Operational Excellence & Safety
o Maintain rigorous HCAAP records, allergen files, COSHH documentation, and up‑to‑date Risk Assessments for the café and shop.
o Manage staff and volunteer rotas efficiently to ensure smooth operations during peak seasonal periods.
o Implement sensible, “green‑first” initiatives such as composting and plastic reduction.
About You (Person Specification)
* Commercial Acumen: Proven track record of running a profitable café or retail outlet, ideally within the charity, heritage, or leisure sector.
* Exceptional Communicator: Ability to engage with everyone from first‑time visitors to long‑standing volunteers warmly and clearly.
* Team Builder: Experience managing and motivating a diverse team, including volunteers.
* Standard‑Driven: Eye for detail and a notice of the small things that make a big difference to the visitor experience.
* Problem Solver: Can think on your feet in a fast‑paced, seasonal environment, finding cost‑effective solutions.
* Flexibility: Willingness to work weekends and bank holidays as required.
Our Commitment
* Excellence: Providing a high‑quality sanctuary for our local community.
* Heritage: Protecting and celebrating a unique piece of Birmingham’s history.
* Sustainability: Working towards a greener future through sensible, impactful choices.
About our Café and Shop
We operate out of two connected wooden cabins in the atmospheric walled courtyard. The space offers both challenges and benefits that require creative thinking and innovation to ensure success. We’re at the start of a development project which will begin with a wood‑fire heated Yurt at the end of 2026 and will lead to a fully functioning indoor café and visitor centre over the next five years.
Opening Times (seasonal)
* Spring and Summer:
• Term Time – Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30–16.30
• Half Terms & Holidays – Monday to Sunday, 10.30–16.30
* Autumn and Winter:
• Term Times – Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30–15.30
• Half Terms (up to the end of October) – Monday to Sunday, 10.30–15.30
We are currently closed to the public over the month of January and run a reduced opening schedule over November and December. With the Yurt side of the project in place, we intend to increase opening times.
#J-18808-Ljbffr