Barista and Hospitality Assistant


Company:	University of Southampton Students' Union
Salary:	£13.28
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Southampton, SO17 1BJ
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	21 Aug 2026
Closing date:	4 Sept 2026

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Summary

The Role

Are you passionate about great coffee, delicious food and creating welcoming experiences for students? 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).

About You

To thrive as a Barista & Hospitality Assistant, you will be approachable and enjoy working with people. You will have a genuine passion for delivering excellent customer service and take pride in producing high-quality food and drinks.

You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. You will be able to remain calm under pressure and work effectively as part of a team, particularly during busy trading periods.

You will have a basic understanding of food hygiene and be committed to following food safety, health and safety and environmental procedures.

Previous café or hospitality experience, barista experience and experience preparing simple café food would be desirable. A Food Safety Level 2 qualification would also be desirable, as would experience serving alcohol in a licensed premises and knowledge of Challenge 25 and responsible alcohol retailing.

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.

As part of our team, you'll enjoy:

• £13.28 per hour

• Annual leave entitlement will be accrued at a rate of 12.07% of your working hours

• Discounted UniLink and Blue Star bus passes

Apply Now

You can easily apply using your CV and covering letter by clicking on 'Apply Now'.

For any queries before submitting your application please contact Gary Smith (Head of Social Enterprise), gaz.smith@soton.ac.uk or Ines Del Hoyo (Deputy Venues Manager), I.Del-Hoyo@soton.ac.uk

Please note, applications will be reviewed throughout the advert posting and you may be contacted for interview prior to the closing date.

Please note feedback will not be provided if you are not shortlisted for interview.

SUSU is an equal opportunities employer that values a diverse workforce, and we want to reflect the student body that we represent. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination, and will ensure that our recruitment activities are mindful of equality and diversity matters.

Cover Letter

Please use your covering letter to tell us:

Why you are interested in the Barista & Hospitality Assistant role at SUSU.

What skills, qualities and experience you would bring to the role.

An example of when you have delivered excellent customer service and/or worked effectively as part of a team.

Any relevant experience you have in a café, hospitality, barista, catering, food preparation or licensed premises environment.

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