Conference and Banqueting Manager

Job Title: Conference and Banqeting Manager

Location: Ashridge House, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1NS

Reports to: Food and Beverage Director

Shifts: 40 hours per week, shifts from Monday-Sunday on a rota basis, shift times vary from 6:30am-1am

The Opportunity

If you love giving great customer service and want to lead a dynamic team where no two days are the same, then this is the opportunity for you. You will be responsible for leading and developing our fantastic team of F&B Assistants and our multiple outlets. We run a multi-outlet business which includes our Bakehouse Café and The Vault Bar alongside our weddings, conferences, and private functions.

We want to bring a passionate, experienced individual who can drive and support our team in providing the highest level of service and in the next steps of their career. This opportunity will allow you to grow your skillset, find your strengths and your areas for development which we can work with you on

If you are a hospitality professional looking for their next challenge – we want to hear from you

What You'll Do

Lead and Inspire: Manage and motivate our front-of-house team to deliver exceptional service across all outlets.

Deliver Excellence: Ensure every guest enjoys a seamless and memorable experience, addressing and resolving any customer concerns.

Team Development: Provide ongoing training to nurture talent and foster a culture of excellence.

Operations Oversight: Plan daily operations, staff allocations, and guest requirements while managing the team through a variety of services.

Event Coordination: Collaborate with event organizers to exceed client expectations at conferences, weddings, and private functions.

Maintain Standards: Oversee health, safety, and hygiene practices, ensuring compliance at all times.

Stock & Systems Management: Manage stock levels, cellar operations, and ensure effective use of POS and other systems.

Who are you?

Essential

· Proven experience in multi-outlet F&B operations.

· Background in high-volume conference and banqueting environments.

· Skilled in team leading and maintaining service standards under pressure.

· Proven experience of people management and engaging a team.

· Professional and customer-focused with a high standard of personal presentation.

· Able to commute by car to Ashridge House.

Desirable

· Barista experience

· Personal licence holder

· IT skills – POS, Opera and Symphony.

Employee Benefits/Perks

· 25 days paid holiday each year plus bank holidays.

· Continuous career development

· Staff meals whilst on duty

· Free access to onsite gym and pool

· Access to the company pension scheme and healthcare schemes

About Ashridge

Ashridge House is an award-winning Grade 1 listed neo-gothic mansion with extensive meeting and event facilities comprising 190 bedrooms, over 30 meeting rooms, 55 syndicate rooms, 7 function rooms and 190 acres of historic parkland and gardens. Delivering the highest standard of service to everyone who visits, dines, and stays with us is a fundamental part of our ethos and key to growing the business.

When you join Ashridge House, you join a community from unique backgrounds, all united by pursuing excellence in service and hospitality. Whoever you are, whatever you are passionate about—we welcome you and want you to bring that to work every day. Ashridge House is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, caste, parental status, disability, identity, experience, and everything else that makes you unique.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Referral programme

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Berkhamsted HP4 1NS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Experience:

• Catering: 3 years (preferred)
• Hospitality: 3 years (preferred)
• Management: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person