Assistant Manager
| Posting date: | 27 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £22,500 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 September 2025 |
| Location: | The Owl Tree Childrens Cafe, NE3 3XH |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Owl Tree Children's Cafe |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Location: The Owl Tree Children’s Café, Newcastle upon Tyne
Hours: 32 hours per week (4 days), including 1 in 4 Saturdays (rota)
Salary: £28,000 FTE (£22,400 pro rata)
Contract: Fixed Term – 2 years (6-month probation)
Reports to: Café Manager
About The Owl Tree Children’s Café & Community Nest
The Owl Tree Children’s Café is a friendly, family-focused community café in Newcastle
upon Tyne. We’re more than just a café, we’re a welcoming hub where parents, carers,
children, and community members connect over great coffee, healthy food, and
conversation. Our café is designed for families, with a safe, child-friendly environment and
affordable menu, making it a much-loved local meeting place.
Following a period of growth, we’ve expanded from a small part-time café in a local football
club to our own dedicated venue, now open six days a week, 9am–5pm. Our team has
grown to include 11 part-time café staff, plus dedicated volunteers, a Café Manager, an
Admin & Finance Officer, and a Community Engagement Coordinator.
We are now looking for a proactive, people-focused Assistant Manager to help lead our
day-to-day café operations, support our team, and ensure our customers, especially families
with young children, have a warm and memorable experience.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee the smooth running of the café, ensuring excellent customer service and a
welcoming atmosphere for families.
Supervise and support café staff and volunteers, creating a positive, inclusive
working environment.
Open and close the café on working days, following all operational and safety
procedures.
Assist with staff training and volunteer onboarding.
Manage stock control and share responsibility for food shopping on working days.
Coordinate staff rotas in collaboration with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Engage with parents, carers, and community members to foster social connections.
Communicate regularly with the Café Manager including weekly catch-ups, sharing
updates, feedback, and any operational needs.
Support special community events and activities in the café.
Attend relevant training to support personal and professional development.
Work 1 in every 4 Saturdays as part of the rota.
Person Specification
Essential:
Proven experience supervising or coordinating a team in a café, hospitality, or
community setting.
Strong customer service skills, with a friendly, approachable manner.
Excellent organisational skills and ability to work independently.
Passion for community building, family-friendly spaces, and social connection.
Flexible, reliable, punctual and proactive with a positive “can-do” attitude.
Willingness to undertake relevant training.
Commitment to the values of the Community Nest including, inclusivity, compassion,
and respect.
Desirable:
Experience working in a children’s café, play café, or family-focused hospitality
environment.
Background in community projects or charitable organisations.
Basic safeguarding knowledge (training can be provided).
Confident in handling food safely and maintaining hygiene standards (Food Hygiene
certification desirable but this training can be provided as part of the role)
First Aid certification.
Driving licence and access to own vehicle.
Why Join Us?
At The Owl Tree Children’s Café, you’ll be part of a supportive, passionate team making a
real difference in the local community. You’ll help create a safe, welcoming space where
families can relax, children can play, and friendships can grow. If you love hospitality, thrive
in a busy environment, and value community connection, this is the role for you.
How to Apply:
Please send your CV and a short cover letter explaining why you’d be a great fit for the role
to: inbox.owltreenest@outlook.com
Hours: 32 hours per week (4 days), including 1 in 4 Saturdays (rota)
Salary: £28,000 FTE (£22,400 pro rata)
Contract: Fixed Term – 2 years (6-month probation)
Reports to: Café Manager
About The Owl Tree Children’s Café & Community Nest
The Owl Tree Children’s Café is a friendly, family-focused community café in Newcastle
upon Tyne. We’re more than just a café, we’re a welcoming hub where parents, carers,
children, and community members connect over great coffee, healthy food, and
conversation. Our café is designed for families, with a safe, child-friendly environment and
affordable menu, making it a much-loved local meeting place.
Following a period of growth, we’ve expanded from a small part-time café in a local football
club to our own dedicated venue, now open six days a week, 9am–5pm. Our team has
grown to include 11 part-time café staff, plus dedicated volunteers, a Café Manager, an
Admin & Finance Officer, and a Community Engagement Coordinator.
We are now looking for a proactive, people-focused Assistant Manager to help lead our
day-to-day café operations, support our team, and ensure our customers, especially families
with young children, have a warm and memorable experience.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee the smooth running of the café, ensuring excellent customer service and a
welcoming atmosphere for families.
Supervise and support café staff and volunteers, creating a positive, inclusive
working environment.
Open and close the café on working days, following all operational and safety
procedures.
Assist with staff training and volunteer onboarding.
Manage stock control and share responsibility for food shopping on working days.
Coordinate staff rotas in collaboration with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Engage with parents, carers, and community members to foster social connections.
Communicate regularly with the Café Manager including weekly catch-ups, sharing
updates, feedback, and any operational needs.
Support special community events and activities in the café.
Attend relevant training to support personal and professional development.
Work 1 in every 4 Saturdays as part of the rota.
Person Specification
Essential:
Proven experience supervising or coordinating a team in a café, hospitality, or
community setting.
Strong customer service skills, with a friendly, approachable manner.
Excellent organisational skills and ability to work independently.
Passion for community building, family-friendly spaces, and social connection.
Flexible, reliable, punctual and proactive with a positive “can-do” attitude.
Willingness to undertake relevant training.
Commitment to the values of the Community Nest including, inclusivity, compassion,
and respect.
Desirable:
Experience working in a children’s café, play café, or family-focused hospitality
environment.
Background in community projects or charitable organisations.
Basic safeguarding knowledge (training can be provided).
Confident in handling food safely and maintaining hygiene standards (Food Hygiene
certification desirable but this training can be provided as part of the role)
First Aid certification.
Driving licence and access to own vehicle.
Why Join Us?
At The Owl Tree Children’s Café, you’ll be part of a supportive, passionate team making a
real difference in the local community. You’ll help create a safe, welcoming space where
families can relax, children can play, and friendships can grow. If you love hospitality, thrive
in a busy environment, and value community connection, this is the role for you.
How to Apply:
Please send your CV and a short cover letter explaining why you’d be a great fit for the role
to: inbox.owltreenest@outlook.com