Backstage is a project for the future – a six-storey space for creativity, education and community right next door to our historic building.
Together with award-winning architects Haworth Tompkins, we have built a low-carbon building that includes:
- A welcoming public café and workspace during the day, which evolves into a vibrant bar and restaurant at night
- A Clore Learning Centre for our award-winning outreach work
- A Writers’ Room where creatives can work
- A free to use Script Library
- A modern and flexible rehearsal room which can transform into a studio theatre
- An event space and terrace
We believe Backstage creates a stronger Old Vic for the future, providing a welcoming space for our generation and the next.
Within Backstage, the F&B offer is primarily centred around the ground floor and first-floor café and bar space – but also extends to event catering provision and a grab-and-go offer for the theatre.
With an overall capacity of 181 (61 covers) across the two floors, Backstage will be open from early until late, Monday to Saturday.
The daytime artisanal café will serve the very best coffee, coupled with delicious baked goods. A comfortable place where culture meets great coffee in a vibrant and dynamic space.
This same space then seamlessly transitions into an enticing evening bar – a destination. A socially inspired bar/dining offer; celebrating cultural diversity, vibe and buzz in a stylish and comfortable environment coupled with a strong ‘sense of place’ as an intrinsic part of The Old Vic as a whole.
The food offer will be based on conviviality and sharing – built around the concept of small plates.
The Team
The Backstage F&B team is responsible for all Food & Beverage related activity within Backstage and The Old Vic theatre itself. The team includes the Operations Director, Head of Food & Beverage Operations, Deputy Head of Food & Beverage, Head Chef, Sous Chef, Chef de Parties, KPs, Duty Managers, Bartenders and Waiting Staff.
Role summary
The role of the Head of Food and Beverage Operations is to have full responsibility for all food and beverage provision across The Old Vic – including management of the Backstage catering and bars operation and the teams that work within it, with support from a Deputy Head of F&B. The Head of F&B will ensure high standards of customer service, driving growth and managing the F&B team.
How to Apply
We understand that everyone is different and we want you to apply in whichever way you feel best shows your skills and experience. There are a range of ways that you can apply with us:
1. Sending a short video file of yourself (no longer than two minutes in length), detailing your experience, why you are applying for the role and what about working at The Old Vic interests you (have a look at the person specification in the job description).
2. Sending a short audio file of yourself (no longer than two minutes in length), detailing your experience, why you are applying for the role and what about working at The Old Vic interests you.
3. Completing our application form.
4. Uploading your CV and covering letter, explaining why you are interested in the role and working at the Old Vic.
As a Disability Confident employer, The Old Vic has made a commitment that all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for this job will be invited to interview. However in the event that we have a high volume of applications all of whom meet the criteria and identify as disabled, meaning it is not practicable to interview everyone, we may apply a weighting to the shortlisting criteria, or add an additional shortlisting stage before any interviews take place. In all cases we will take care to ensure that any criteria or weightings do not disadvantage disabled applicants.
All appointments are made subject to satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
The Process
The recruitment process for this role will be two stages:
- 1st stage virtual conversation
- 2nd stage in person conversation
- You may be asked to complete a work based skills assessment or challenge.
The closing date for this role is 29 July 2025. First Conversations are likely to take place 1 August 2025.