Job Introduction
Head Bartender
Location: Birchwood The Conduit
Reporting to: Restaurant Manager
Working Closely With: Head Bartender, Restaurant Manager & General Manager.
About the Concept
Birchwood is a collection of restaurants united by a clear philosophy. Wherever it is found, Birchwood is defined by respect for land, animals and people, bringing the values of independent, ethical farming and season led cooking into both rural and urban settings.
It is built on direct relationships with farmers, growers and producers who share our commitment to animal welfare, slow growth and low intervention. Our own butchery, Block, allows full transparency and whole animal use, ensuring every cut has purpose and value while delivering depth of flavour and integrity on the plate.
Birchwood The Conduit is a collaboration between Birchwood, Levy UK and The Conduit
Purpose
The Head Bartender is responsible for leading the beverage operation, ensuring high-quality drinks, strong service standards and an engaging guest experience across both the bar and coffee offering.
This is a hands-on leadership role, where you will take ownership of the bar during service, support and develop the team, and contribute to a beverage programme that reflects seasonality, creativity, sustainability and low-waste principles.
Alongside strong cocktail and wine knowledge, the role requires oversight of the coffee and barista operation, ensuring consistently high standards in coffee preparation, equipment maintenance and guest experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the bar during service, ensuring smooth, efficient and high-quality delivery
- Maintain exceptional standards in drink preparation, presentation and consistency
- Support the wider front of house team during busy service periods
- Ensure the bar contributes positively to the overall guest experience
- Support and contribute to a seasonal, ingredient-led cocktail offering
- Champion a low-waste approach to drinks, using thoughtful preparation and ingredients
- Maintain strong knowledge of cocktails, spirits, beer and soft drinks
- Develop and promote knowledge of low-intervention and natural wines
- Oversee the daily coffee and barista operation alongside the wider beverage programme.
- Maintain strong understanding of coffee preparation, extraction and milk texturing standards
- Ensure all coffee equipment is correctly maintained, cleaned and calibrated
- Support consistency and quality across all coffee service
- Assist with training and development of Baristas and wider FOH team members where required
- Support seasonal development of coffee and non-alcoholic beverage offerings
- Assist with menu updates and daily changes where required
- Provide warm, knowledge able and engaging service
- Confidently recommend drinks, tailoring suggestions to guest preferences
- Share the story behind drinks, ingredients and producers where appropriate
- Build rapport with members and create a welcoming bar environment
- Lead, supervise and support the Bartender and Barista teams, ensuring consistently high standards across the full beverage operation.
- Lead by example in service standards, professionalism and attitude
- Support training and development of the bar team
- Assist with onboarding new team members
- Act as a key link between the bar team and management
- Oversee bar setup, ensuring it is clean, stocked and organised.
- Support stock control, ordering and deliveries
- Monitor wastage and support cost control
- Ensure all equipment is maintained and issues are reported promptly
- Ensure compliance with licensing laws and responsible alcohol service
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness across FOH and BOH areas
- Follow all health, safety and hygiene procedures
- Ensure adherence to company policies and operational standards
- Work closely with kitchen and front of house teams
- Support a positive, collaborative and high-performing team environment
- Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and feedback
- Represent the values of Birchwood, The Conduit and Levy
Skills & Experience
- Experience as a Senior Bartender or Head Bartender
- Strong knowledge of cocktails, spirits and beverage service
- Understanding of coffee preparation techniques and barista equipment
- Experience supporting or overseeing coffee service within a quality-led hospitality environment
- Interest in seasonal ingredients and low-waste approaches
- Interest in or knowledge of low-intervention/ natural wines
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Key Competencies
- Confident and visible leader
- Warm, engaging and personable
- Strong attention to detail
- Calm and solutions-focused under pressure
- Organised and proactive
Benefits
- Medi cash- Healthcare benefits, including dental, optical and therapy treatments (includes up to 4 dependent children)
- Aviva Digi care- Free annual healthcare check
- Exclusive Benefits & Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)
- Entertainment discounts - up to 55% off cinema tickets
- Health & Wellbeing discounts - Discounts for Nuffield Health (20%) and Pure Gym (10%)
- Travel discounts - Discounts with holiday companies such as TUI and Expedia
- Shopping discounts - Save up to 15% at high street and online stores by purchasing Shopping Cards
- Meals on duty
- Pension scheme and Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- 23 days + BH's and additional day off for your birthday
- 2 days additional leave, following return from Maternity leave during first year back
- Competitive and supportive family benefits
- Day off for baby's first birthday
- Holiday purchase scheme
- On-going training & development and career pathways
- Professional subscriptions paid
- Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products