Hospitality Assistant
Cambridge CB2 1RF
Hospitality Assistant Catering Department
Welcome to Pembroke
Thank you for your interest in the position of Hospitality Assistant at Pembroke College.
I hope that this information pack will encourage your interest in the position within a committed, supportive network of colleagues who will share your determination to engage wide and diverse audiences in our work.
Important Dates
Closing Date for Applications: Ongoing
We reserve the right to close this post earlier if we receive sufficient applications.
About Our College
Pembroke College, founded in 1347 by Marie de St Pol, Countess of Pembroke, is proud of its traditions. The third oldest of the Cambridge colleges, it was the first to have its own chapel. Located in the heart of the University city, Pembroke is set within an impressive environment with varied architectural styles framing beautiful gardens and open courts. It’s the perfect place to encourage creativity and innovation.
The College today is an intimate yet diverse community, committed to welcoming students of exceptional talent regardless of their social, cultural or educational background and giving them the benefit of contact with a large and distinguished Fellowship. It is equally committed to attracting early-career academics and staff of exceptional promise, as well as those with established careers, and ensuring that Pembroke provides a culture and a community where every member is able to flourish.
Pembroke thrives on conversations - between generations and disciplines, between undergraduates, graduates, senior Members and professional colleagues, between current students and our alumni, and between the academy and the wider world. It is an exceptionally friendly college full of talented individuals. We take our responsibilities of working at the highest level seriously and support each other to achieve this.
Since 2020, the number of applications to Pembroke has grown by over 12%, rising from 891 in 2020 to 1006 in 2024. This has largely comprised increased applications from those from the state school sector, with this demographic seeing a 9.3 percentage point increase in applications. Pembroke is routinely one of the most competitive colleges to apply to, and our students do well when they are here. In 2024, Pembroke ranked fourth out of 29 colleges that admit undergraduates when it came to exam performance.
Pembroke is also increasingly diverse and takes seriously its commitment to achieving the University's widening participation targets. Since 2022 the College has seen a 5 percentage point increase in admittances from those living in the two most deprived quintiles of the UK, according to the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD); in 2024 these students comprised 19.3% of home entrants.
The admissions work is supported by the outreach and recruitment work that the admission office also undertakes; between 2017 and 2024, this involved working with over 26,000 students from over 1,890 schools.
The Department
From a business meeting, to a celebratory dinner or wedding reception, Pembroke College’s Catering Team are experienced and well-trained in providing excellent food, facilities and service. When combined with our quintessentially English gardens and historic buildings, Pembroke College offers a rare and unique venue for hosting your important events. We cater for weddings exclusively for alumni and College members, reserving Saturdays throughout the long vacation for these unique events.
The Role and its Purpose
To assist in the smooth running of the food and beverage service for all internal and external functions including cafeteria lunches, fine dining, College feasts, buffet service, student café and bar; to actively engage with our customers, exceeding their expectations and ensuring all aspects of service provided are effectively delivered.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
• Assist in the preparation and service of all meals to both College and commercial customers as per Food Service Department procedures.
• Ensure agreed standards of service are maintained in all areas and customers are treated respectfully and any requests are dealt with in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
• Ensure all areas where food and beverages are served are kept clean, tidy and hygienic.
• Laying and clearing of tables as appropriate to the particular service within the standards established. Learn the correct procedure for setting various buffets, lunches and dinners.
• Assist with the setting up and clearing of food and beverages from conference and meeting rooms, to include all buffets, lunches and dinners.
• Ensure correct charges for food are made; monitor portion sizes.
• To adhere to reasonable instructions issued by members of the Catering management team
• Learn to correctly use the Monika HACCP system and ensure all required checks are completed correctly, notifying the supervisor where areas require further cleaning or maintenance.
• Correctly use the till system following guidelines for cashing up after service, raising change requisitions and storing money in the safe.
• Help to delegate, train and supervise casual members of staff to ensure work is done correctly.
Skills:
• Good organisational skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven customer service skills.
• Friendly, co-operative, helpful and approachable.
• Responsible and trustworthy.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Flexible approach and accepting of change.
Ability to communicate effectively to colleagues and other senior management personnel.
Work Experience: Experience of University and/or College environment would be an advantage.
Person Specification
Essential:
Qualifications/academic achievements/education Educated to High School level or equivalent. Skills/knowledge/training
• Good organisational skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills. Customer service skills.
• IT skills.
• Experience of working in a restaurant or hotel serving customers.
• Experience in a public/customer related environment. Friendly, co-operative and helpful/ approachable. Responsible and trustworthy.
• Ability to lead from the front.
Ability to work as part of a team.
• Flexible approach and accepting of change.
Ability to communicate effectively to colleagues and other senior management personnel.
• Able to work weekend shift patterns.
• Confidentiality Can demonstrate ability to work confidentially.
Desirable:
Qualifications/academic achievements/education NVQ Hospitality & Catering.
• Experience in a College environment.
Pembroke Benefits
Annual staff outing
Annual Leave Purchase Scheme
Christmas gift for staff
Cycle to work and ‘Buy a bike’ schemes
Death in service benefit
Discounts on Dell products
Employee Assistance Programme
Free meal whilst on duty when the servery is open
Use of free passes to the Botanical Gardens
Local discounts with University Card
Medicash
NOW pension scheme
On site gym
Subsidised health care
and more.......
Some benefits are non-contractual and may be withdrawn.
Some benefits may be subject to a qualifying period and/or subject to terms.
Department Structure
Catering & Event Manger
Frount of House Manager
Senior Hospitality Assistant
Hospitality Assistant
195 Staff
73 Fellows
440 Undergraduates
300 Postgraduates
How to applyHow to apply:
If you would like to have an
• a covering letter outlining your ininformal conversation about
and your suitability for this rolethe post, please contact James
• a full CVAnderson at
james.anderson@pem.cam.ac
.uk
The closing date for applicaPlease complete an Monday 23 June 2025.Application Form and Rehabilitation of Offenders Form (compulsory), and an Equal Opportunities Form.
Completed application forms together with a covering letter can be emailed to:
hr@pem.cam.ac.uk or
alternatively posted to The HR Office, Pembroke College,
Trumpington Street, CB2 1RF. Please do not include separate CVs.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Privacy Statement
Further information
Job title: Hospitality Assistant
Location: Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RF
Reports to: Senior Hospitality Assistant and Front of House Manager
Salary: £26,320 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week on a shift system covering seven days, including evenings and weekends.
Health and Safety:
Persons engaged in work for Pembroke College must adopt a responsible attitude towards
health and safety and comply with any
procedures as required by the College in order to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of
themselves, their colleagues and any other
persons that may be affected by their actions. They must be prepared to undertake any
training required in relation to health and safety or which is identified as necessary in relation to their work.
The College operates a non-smoking policy; smoking is only permitted in the designated smoking areas.
Safer Recruitment:
As part of our safer recruitment practices posts will be subject to the relevant compliance checks including an enhanced DBS check where this is appropriate.
Equality Statement:
We are committed to creating an environment where people of all backgrounds can thrive and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, identity, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.