wine glasses hanging up in restaurant

What are the main responsibilities of an Assistant Manager in a pub or restaurant?

What are the main responsibilities of an Assistant Manager in a pub or restaurant?

Rebecca Skeet our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 07/07/2022

So you want to know what it takes to be an Assistant Manager at a pub or restaurant. With over 1,600 businesses dotted around the UK, and many Assistant Managers helping to run these pubs, bars and restaurants, we can tell you a thing or two about the role. A day in the life of an Assistant Manager might look different from one place to the next, but there are a few things that will always ring true. Above all else, they act as a bridge between team members and managing, so everyone knows exactly how to deliver moments that wow guests.

Here are four of the main responsibilities of an Assistant Manager in a pub or restaurant.

1. Get the team g'd up

The best Assistant Managers have a can-do attitude. But why is this eagerness to get things done so important? It's one of the secrets to motivating your team. If you can show the kitchen team, bar and waiting team and other managers that you can handle whatever comes your way on a shift, this attitude will be infectious.

You might not see 'get the team g'd up' in the job description, but you can be sure that any pub or restaurant hiring manager will be looking for this energy in their future Assistant Manager.

2. Support the wider management team

Speaking of fellow managers, you'll be working closely with a few. You'll report directly to the General Manager and help them with the day-to-day running of the pub or restaurant. From time to time, you might have the opportunity to support an Area Manager and get a glimpse into what their role is like.

Remember that it should be a two-way street. If you needed support, lean on your managers or speak to other Assistant Managers. That's one of the great things about working at M&B - there are so many other managers who have walked in your slip-resistant hospitality shoes. All you need to do is reach out.

3. Deliver moments that wow guests

And if you want to bring the wow factor as an Assistant Manager, always be on the lookout for new and improved ways of running things. Just because things have always been done a certain way, there's nothing to say you can't suggest a different step or process.

You can probably hear your former teacher's voice ringing in your ear, saying, 'Think outside the box'. And they're bang on the money. Creativity, especially around new ideas, is one of the most highly demanded soft skills in hospitality. Assistant Managers that can bring new ideas to the table are hot property because they give the business that competitive edge.

To kick your creative mind into gear, why not visit other pubs and restaurants and see how the management team run the show?

4. Develop the future leaders in your team

Ask any manager and they’ll tell you one of the rewarding parts of the job is developing people. Nothing beats seeing a team member flourish and knowing you had a part to play in their development. Whether it's being patient as they learn how to pour the perfect pint , encouraging them to explore apprenticeships or helping them develop the skills they need for that next promotion, you're in the perfect position to keep the team engaged and help them head in the right direction.

Could an Assistant Manager job at M&B be right for you?

So you know some of the main responsibilities of an Assistant Manager in a pub or restaurant. And, hopefully, we've given you an idea of what you can expect from an Assistant Manager role at M&B. But we bet you'd like a bit more information to feast on. Well, all you need to do is check out our latest Assistant Manager jobs. And if there’s a role that takes your fancy, you can use our easy apply process to send over your details in just a few clicks.

Looking to kickstart a career in hospitality management but have no experience?

At M&B, we love nothing more than helping people develop their career. Our award-winning management apprenticeships let you learn the ins and outs of management, all the while earning a salary.

List #1

Some articles you might like

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

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

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

What to expect when you become a kitchen or pub manager

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/29/2023

Summary

<!-- Hotjar Tracking Code for https://www.mbcareersandjobs.com/ --> (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){ h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)}; h._hjSettings={hjid:2713474,hjsv:6}; a=o.ge

Teaser

With over 1,600 businesses across the UK, a restaurant or pub manager job might change from one place to the next. But here are some things you can expect.

Find out more
Steph  Baker

by

Steph Baker

Steph  Baker

by

Steph Baker

Assistant manager carrying food and drink
4 ways you can bring the wow factor in your new Assistant Manager job

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

02/28/2022

Summary

Assistant Managers at Mitchells and Butlers (M&B) are the bread and butter of hospitality. Guided by General Managers and Area Managers, and supported by a strong team, they help run our pub

Teaser

Here are our top tips to kick off your new Assistant Manager job with a positive impact

Find out more
Nicki Hodson

by

Nicki Hodson

Nicki Hodson

by

Nicki Hodson

Hands holding up flags and LGBTQ+ signs
The power of inclusiveness and Daniel's experience of the LGBTQ+ community at M&B

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

01/27/2022

Summary

This month we caught up with Daniel from All Bar One in Guilford, who decided to return to the M&B family after spending a few years with another company. Having also gained experience withi

Teaser

Daniel tells us why he re-joined M&B because he felt it was somewhere he could feel good about himself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community

Find out more
Emily Smith

by

Emily Smith

Emily Smith

by

Emily Smith

Shane explains the benefits of a live in General Manager job in London

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/07/2021

Summary

Shane has been a part of the M&B family for some time now. So we wanted to catch up with him to learn more about the benefits of a live in job, living in central London, and how he’s been supporte

Teaser

We caught up with Shane to learn more about the benefits of a live in job, living in central London, and how he’s been supported to develop his career at M&B.

Find out more
Emily Smith

by

Emily Smith

Emily Smith

by

Emily Smith

Jobs

Jobs you might like...

Assistant Manager

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Toby Carvery - Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, CH49 5LW

Departments

Assistant Manager

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Toby Carvery

Location

Birkenhead

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

2343742

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Assistant Manager

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

O’Neill’s Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 2SX

Departments

Assistant Manager

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

O'Neill's

Location

Portsmouth

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

2343652

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
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
 

job search