Each year BCUSU (Birmingham City University Students Union) recruit a team of our students to help in the delivery of our retail and catering services.
We run 3 retail outlets. Two convenience stores selling food, drinks, and student essentials. One in the City Centre Curzon Building (Campus Shop Curzon) and the other in the City South Campus Seacole Building in Edgbaston (Campus Shop City South). We also have Campus Shop Parkside, which specialises in art products and is in the City Centre Parkside Building.
We also run two bar/catering outlets. The Eagle & Ball, which is a traditional pub in the City Centre Curzon Building, offering alcoholic drinks and catering open during licensing hours (Monday – Friday). Social Kitchen which is in the Seacole Building in City South Campus, Edgbaston, opening during the daytime, offering food and drinks (alcohol, soft drinks and hot drinks).
All our student team members work on a casual basis, ensuring there is a good balance being able to be able to fulfil your study commitments alongside the opportunity to earn some money and gain some great skills which will be a real asset regardless of your eventual career path.
We are currently recruiting for our September 2021- June 2022 team of staff and are looking for Retail Assistants and Bar/Catering Assistants. There are vacancies in all the shops / bars.
We ask that you apply to your preferred role / venue however there is an expectation that, if needed, you may be able to provide cover in other campuses and other venues. Any requirement to cover shifts will always be discussed with you in advance, however once you have committed to a shift we expect fulfilment and reliability.
The successful applicants will be the first people our customers meet. We put a lot of emphasis on personalising the experience for our BCU students, so we are looking for pro-active individuals who are at their best when working as part of a team as well being able to confidently act on their own initiative. You need to be passionate about delivering excellent guest service through high-quality front facing service delivery. All staff will have thorough training and there is excellent ongoing support to ensure you have all the skills and abilities to perform the role effectively and to the required standard, meeting the BCUSU objectives.
Hours
Shifts are typically 3-6 hours in length and you work on a shift basis to ensure the opening hours of each venue can be fulfilled. We expect all our student staff to take a fair share in working the unsociable shifts. Our venue managers are well practised in working with students to help them manage their study commitments alongside their work responsibilities.
Once you are allocated your annual study timetable we’d ask that you work with your manager to identify the hours you may be able to offer. You’ll then be given notice of available shifts and once allocated will be expected to fulfil.
Salary and Benefits
We are a living wage employer - the pay rate is £8.91 plus holiday pay. You are paid monthly in arrears (on the 15th of the month).
Whilst you may be a casual member of staff we are committed to working with our students in the same way we work with our career staff, respecting your views, listening to your feedback (which we use to shape the way we work), proving some great training and development as well as providing you with social opportunities.
How to Apply
You should submit an online application to your preferred role / venue. You will be given a chance to register interest in other roles / venues within your application. We select candidates for interview based on the shortlisting criteria listed on the job description. Ensure that you demonstrate how you meet the criteria.
All student staff members need to be enrolled BCU students.
Selection Process
Previous experience working in retail / bar is helpful but is not essential. When you apply you are asked to provide a few sentences to tell us about yourself and why we should consider for employment. Use this opportunity to tell us why you think you would be a great member of our team. If you don’t have any previous experience, tell us about other times you have worked successfully as part of a team or where you’ve gained customer service experience in a different setting. Read the shortlisting criteria on the job specifications to see the skills / experiences that we are looking for and then tell us how / why you meet them.
Application Deadline
Date: Friday 23rd July at 12pm. Please submit your application before this deadline. Late applications will not be considered. We do run subsequent recruitment campaigns throughout the academic year (when vacancies arise) so if you do miss this opportunity there will be other opportunities in the future.
Interviews
Interviews this year will be conducted virtually, using Microsoft Teams. Interviews are typically 30 minutes in length with the line manager of the department. There will be various questions to help us identify that you have the skills and personal attributes that we value in our student staff – see the person specification for more detail.
Further Information
BCUSU is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the application or interview process please get in touch to discuss your needs, by emailing studentunionjobs@bcu.ac.uk
If you have any questions before applying, please email studentunionjobs@bcu.ac.uk and we will endeavour to come back to you with an answer within 2 working days.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Download Shop Retail Assistant Job Description (PDF)
Download Bar Catering Assistant Job Description (PDF)
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