Front of House Assistant

Are you a self-motivated individual with a passion for delivering outstanding customer service? Do you thrive in a varied role where no two days are the same?

We are looking for a warm and friendly Partners to provide consistently outstanding customer service.

The role requires excelling in both bar and restaurant operations, and flexibly supporting other hotel departments to ensure an unrivalled guest experience. The goal is to contribute to the profitable running of your hotel in order to achieve business and personal objectives, along with those of your team and the hotel.

We are committed to being the most inclusive business in the UK, representing and connecting with all the different communities we serve.

In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £3.50 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

Location:

If you are looking for a country club hotel with something different and some history to work in, then The Odney Hotel, our Place by the River, could be for you. This is a beautiful and unique John Lewis Partnership-owned hotel, set on 130 acres by the River Thames in Cookham, Berkshire. It offers both character and charm to our guests.

The guests can stay in one of 5 beautiful houses on the site, or one of Airbnb’s each maintaining the period look of its time with access to the picturesque grounds including a private stretch of river, water gardens, a pool, and sports facilities. The main house, Lullebrook Manor and its grounds are thought to have been the inspiration for the classic novel The Wind in The Willows bringing history along with relaxation.

Relaxation can be further achieved with a visit to our Wellbeing suite, offering beauty treatments and massages or afternoon tea on the terrace, a drink in the bar or a meal overlooking the river.

Pay Rate - £12.40 per hour

Contract type - Fixed term temporary contract commencing June 2026

Location - Odney 

Hours - Various contracts working 22.5 hours, 30 hours and 37.5 hours a week across seven days to include early starts, late finishes, evenings and weekends between the hours of 07:00 - 22:00 with occasional 00:30 finishes.

What you’ll be doing:

• Interacting with guests, sharing product knowledge on drinks and food.

• Taking orders, checking back, and assisting with queries.

• Liaising with the kitchen team to fully understand the menu.

• Clearing down and setting tables.

• Working behind the bar, serving drinks and taking orders for food.

Required essential experience skills and qualifications:

• Self-motivated/ Industrious

• Basic knowledge of IT & POS systems and able to use standard software.

• Excellent communication skills

• Proven experience of the hospitality industry is desirable.

Desirable experience skills and qualifications:

• Level 2 Food Safety

Benefits of the Partnership and the role:

• Full-time working holiday entitlement 22 days holiday, plus public and bank holidays (this is prorated for part time hours).

• Free meals whilst on duty, for Live Out roles.

• Free meals for Live In roles

• You’ll get Partnership discount in store and online once you complete your Earning Membership period. That’s 25% off in John Lewis (12% off electrical products, some exclusions apply) and 20% in Waitrose (some exclusions apply) You’ll also be able to nominate someone you live with to share your discount.

• Excellent work life balance, including focus on well being and flexible working and our marketing leading equal parenthood leave Policy

Next Steps:

• The application form consists of a CV upload followed by application questions. For internal applications - Check your Workday inbox notifications and see further guidance on the PDW under "Internal application process". When your application is complete, you'll receive a notification or email saying 'we have received your application'.

• You'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you. 

• Please note that should we receive a high volume of applicants we reserve the right to close the role early

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.  

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview. 

Attachment: Download Job Attachment