Café Barista & Bar Assistant
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Location: Central Oxford
Contract: Permanent
Pembroke College is seeking a friendly, enthusiastic, and flexible Café Barista & Bar Assistant to join our busy Café and Bar team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering high-quality food and beverage service across our café, bar, Hall, and a variety of college events.
Why Join Us?
Positive Work Environment
Join a supportive and inclusive front-of-house team where teamwork, professionalism, and excellent customer service are at the heart of everything we do. You will work across a variety of settings, from the lively café and bar to formal College dining and special events.
Varied and Engaging Role
No two days are the same. You’ll gain experience in barista coffee preparation, bar service, and front-of-house operations, while supporting everything from daily service to formal banquets and private functions.
Generous Benefits Package
Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including University pension membership, a generous holiday allowance, complimentary meals on duty, a travel pass and cycle scheme, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
Role Responsibilities
The successful candidate will work closely with the Café & Bar Services Manager and Café Supervisor to deliver a high standard of food and beverage service. Key responsibilities include:
- Preparing and serving a range of hot and cold drinks, including barista-style coffee and bar beverages
- Supporting service in the Farthings Café Bar, Hall, and at College events and functions
- Assisting with the set-up and delivery of meals, banquets, and private dining
- Providing excellent customer service to Fellows, students, staff, and guests
- Operating the till and POS system accurately during service
- Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and presentation across all service areas
- Assisting with food preparation and ensuring compliance with food safety and allergen procedures
- Supporting stock deliveries, storage, and routine operational tasks
About You
You will be a proactive and customer-focused individual with:
- Experience in a busy café, bar, or hospitality environment
- Barista skills and confidence in preparing quality beverages
- Strong communication and customer service skills
- The ability to remain calm under pressure and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
- A flexible approach to working hours, including evenings and weekends
- A commitment to maintaining high standards of hygiene and service
Training will be provided, including food hygiene, health & safety, and customer service.
Working Hours
Full-Time - 40 hours per week, straight shifts over 7 days, including evenings and weekends.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV, together with details of two referees, to recruitment@pmb.ox.ac.uk by 9am on Monday, 13 April 2026
Please note that the College reserves the right to interview on receipt of applications and to appoint prior to the deadline, so early application is recommended.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form - The completion of this form is voluntary, but appreciated.
Policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders
Pembroke College is an equal opportunities employer. It welcomes diversity amongst its staff and students and all reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment process, working arrangements and/or environment to accommodate applicants with any form of disability. If you have a disability, please let us know whether you believe there are any reasonable adjustments we should be making to assist you with your application. Please also let us know of any reasonable adjustments that we would need to make for you if you are invited to attend an interview.
Pembroke College is dedicated to fostering an environmentally sustainable community. We are striving towards achieving net zero carbon emissions and biodiversity net gain and believe that sustainability is a shared responsibility and integral to all roles within the College. By embedding sustainability into our daily operations and decision-making processes, we aim to create a positive impact on our community as well as the wider world.
All data supplied by candidates will be used only for the purpose of determining their suitability for the post, following the principles of the Data Protection Act 2018.