What does it take to succeed as an Assistant Manager?

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.