What does it take to succeed as an Assistant Manager?

What does it take to succeed as an Assistant Manager?

Emily Smith our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 03/12/2021

What does it take to be an Assistant Manager? There's a lot more to the job than meets the eye. The good news is, you won’t be going it alone. Not only will you have a brilliant team behind you, but you'll also have a General Manager and Area Manager who will help you along your way.

A lot of responsibility comes with an Assistant Manager job, meaning it can be an extremely rewarding career. So here's what you need to succeed:

Passion for your industry

No matter what industry you take your Assistant Manager career to, you need be passionate. Take hospitality, for example. If you're thinking about becoming an Assistant Manager of a pub, bar or restaurant, ask yourself if the thought about working in these environments gets you excited. If it does, great! If you're undecided, learn about a day in the life of an Assistant Manager to hear why our Assistant Managers couldn't see themselves doing any other job.

One of the best things about an Assistant Manager career is that you'll pick up so many transferable skills, making a career move between industries all the more straightforward. And, did you know that one in three people in the UK are considering a career change? While it might be straightforward, you will need a good dose of passion for the industry you're hoping to transfer to.

Cooperation

There will be many days when a General Manager won't be around to make decisions, and it will be down to the Assistant Manager to keep things running smoothly. Their ability to think on their feet is just one of the many reasons why Assistant Managers are the definition of 'not all heroes wear capes'.

On the other hand, another part of an Assistant Manager's duties is to support the General Manager. This essentially means being their running buddy and making sure the team has everything they need to do their best. In a pub, bar, or restaurant, your responsibilities will include: managing stock queries, taking part in management meetings, motivating the team to hit their goals, and above all else, making sure every guest has an experience they'll remember for all the right reasons.

Ambition

What's one thing that successful Assistant Managers have in common? Ambition. If you set out every day, hoping to make your team better, little by little, this won't go unnoticed by your managers. It's exactly what they'll be looking for when filling a General Manager position.

The career progression opportunities are a perfect example of the top reasons to love being an Assistant Manager, and here at M&B, we love nothing more than helping our ambitious Assistant Managers develop their hospitality careers.

A can-do attitude

It takes a certain type of person to be able to take on an Assistant Manager role and do a good job. It comes down to your attitude, not just experience. Take Danny Meyer, one of the most successful restauranteurs in New York, explains, "A great restaurant doesn't distinguish itself by how few mistakes it makes but by how well they handle those mistakes." Great Assistant Managers won't get distracted by what's gone wrong, they'll focus on fixing the problem, moving on and then putting a plan in place to avoid the problem happening again.

Explore our variety of Assistant Manager roles

So, have we sold you on the idea of being an Assistant Manager? Great! With so many paths to follow, you can take your career in the direction that's right for you. If you decide that you're made for a career in hospitality, then we want to hear from you.

We have Assistant Manager roles open across a number of businesses, and with 13 brands in total - including Miller & Carter, All Bar One, Toby Carvery and Nicholson's - you're sure to find a role that is right up your street. Don't take our word for it! Check out our current Assistant Manager roles to explore all the locations that we can offer you a job in.

List #1

Some articles you might like

rising star - general managers at M&B
Essential skills for becoming a successful General Manager at M&B

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/04/2024

Summary

Thinking about becoming a General Manager? Here’s what you’ll need to succeed The path to becoming a General Manager is as rewarding as it is challenging, but success doesn’t happen by chance.  I

Teaser

Find out more
Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

General Manager of the year awards - three people smiling on stage
Celebrating M&B’s General Managers of the Year: Inspiring Stories of Growth and Success

Teaser

Culture

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/04/2024

Summary

At Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), our General Managers are the heartbeat of our business, driving excellence in hospitality and creating unforgettable guest experiences.  We believe in celebrating su

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Christian from Stonehouse
Can you go from Chef to General Manager? Yes, you can!

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/06/2024

Summary

At Mitchells & Butlers, we pride ourselves on the growth and development opportunities we provide to our employees.  We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Christian, General Manager of th

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

live in job - two people smiling at the pub
5 unmissable perks of our live-in jobs you need to know!

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/14/2024

Summary

A live-in job, you say? Right, well, before we go any further, let’s break down the basics: What is a live-in job? Simply put, it’s a job that includes live-in accommodation as part of the benefi

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

susan and chris with their family at bassets pole, harvester
Celebrating 25 years of dedication: Susan & Chris at Bassetts Pole, Harvester

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

09/30/2024

Summary

In a world where career longevity is becoming a rare feat, Susan and Chris celebrate a remarkable milestone: 25 years as General Managers at Bassetts Pole, Harvester.  Susan and Chris first joine

Teaser

Find out more
Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

chater siblings at m&b
Celebrating National Sisters Day: Stories of sibling bonding at M&B

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/05/2024

Summary

What is National Sister Day? National Sisters Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate that special bond with your sister, whether she's your best friend, your biggest rival, or a bit of both!  Thi

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

A man standing behind a bar, pulling a pint of beer for a woman.
Is running a pub hard work?

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/30/2024

Summary

We’ll get straight to the point - running a pub can be hard. Whether it’s a fast-paced environment, regulations, cracking customer service, or working on the grind, you’ll have a lot to keep you busy

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

group of people sat in an office at a long desk
Area manager interview questions and how to answer them

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

03/18/2024

Summary

So you’re eyeing up area manager jobs? Firstly, a big congratulations to you! Reaching this point in your management career is no mean feat. You’ve dedicated time, weathered storms and basked in suns

Teaser

We've put together a list of top area manager interview questions, along with tips to help you dazzle.

Find out more
Amandeep Chahal

by

Amandeep Chahal

Amandeep Chahal

by

Amandeep Chahal

How a part time Assistant Manager role has offered Mary a better work life balance

Teaser

Company update

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/07/2023

Summary

Are you searching for a job that you can fit around other commitments in your life? If your answer is yes, then you are not alone. In a recent survey, four out of five British workers expressed

Teaser

Assistant Manager Mary has worked her way up through M&B and following the birth of her son she now works as a part time Assistant Manager, which allows her a positive work life balance.

Find out more
Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

Smiling bar staff pouring a pint, working in hospitality
Jobs in the hospitality industry: is a pub job for you?

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/25/2023

Summary

'Food and Beverage' is the largest of the four sectors in the UK hospitality industry. That’s everything from that sizzling steak you order at Miller and Carter to the refreshing drink you enjoy at

Teaser

Searching for jobs in the hopsitality industry? Choosing the right pub or restaurant job can feel like a puzzle. We’ve got the know-how to help you find success

Find out more
Jess Birch

by

Jess Birch

Jess Birch

by

Jess Birch

Jobs

Jobs you might like...

Assistant Manager

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Toby Carvery - Buckhurst Hill, Buckhurst Hill, IG9 5HT

Departments

Assistant Manager

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Toby Carvery

Location

Buckhurst Hill

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As Assistant Manag

Reference

2344649

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Assistant Manager

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Harvester - Blacksmiths Arms, Handy Cross, HP10 9QD

Departments

Assistant Manager

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Harvester

Location

Handy Cross

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As Assistant Manag

Reference

2345050

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Assistant Manager

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Harvester - Beech Hurst, Haywards Heath, RH16 4BB

Departments

Assistant Manager

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Harvester

Location

Haywards Heath

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As Assistant Manag

Reference

2344001

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
 

job search