Barista and Hospitality Assistant

About the role

Join our team at SUSU Venues, where our cafés and hospitality spaces are more than somewhere to grab food and drink—they are places where students meet friends, study, relax, and feel part of the University community. As a Barista & Hospitality Assistant, you will play a key role in creating that experience by providing outstanding customer service, preparing consistently excellent coffee, serving fresh café food, and helping to ensure every customer leaves with a positive experience.

The role combines hospitality, barista skills, food preparation, and customer service, with a strong focus on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where students feel comfortable and valued. The role may also involve serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during evening trading and private events.

Please note that this role is 22.5 hours per week, 34 weeks per year (term-time only).

Responsibilities

• Provide outstanding customer service in a busy café environment.
• Prepare and serve high-quality coffee and other beverages.
• Serve fresh café food and assist with simple food preparation.
• Create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for students and guests.
• Serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during evening trading and private events, adhering to responsible alcohol retailing practices.
• Follow food safety, health and safety, and environmental procedures.
• Work effectively as part of a team, particularly during busy periods.

Requirements

• Approachable with a genuine passion for delivering excellent customer service.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and work effectively as part of a team.
• Basic understanding of food hygiene and commitment to following food safety procedures.

Qualifications & Experience

• Previous café or hospitality experience is desirable.
• Barista experience and experience preparing simple café food would be advantageous.
• A Food Safety Level 2 qualification is desirable.
• Experience serving alcohol in a licensed premises and knowledge of Challenge 25 and responsible alcohol retailing is desirable.

About Us

We are the University of Southampton Students' Union (SUSU)—independent from the University and run by students, for students. Our vision is simple: SUSU is here to enrich the life of every student. We are a workplace that’s buzzing with life, ideas, and opportunities—where your work directly shapes the student experience.

Benefits

• £13.28 per hour.
• Annual leave entitlement accrued at a rate of 12.07% of your working hours.
• Discounted UniLink and Blue Star bus passes.