Assistant Venue Manager
Salary £ 33500 p/a
28 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JX
Vacancy listed 03/03/2026
Application deadline 18/03/2026
Details
Job title:                             Assistant Venue Manager
Reporting to:                  Venue Manager
Location:                           28 Queen Street, Edinburgh
Contracted hours:       40 hours per week
Salary:                                 £33 500 p/a


The Company
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is an organisation that was formed from the unconventional. We think a little bit differently and have made it our mission to build our whisky community by offering a valuable membership experience that attracts and inspires involvement. We host the world’s most colourful whisky experiences, bringing members together and having fun along the way. SMWS is recognised for its award-winning whiskies and unique and playful approach.

Today, as the enjoyment of single malt grows globally, whisky drinkers are looking to learn and explore different experiences like never-before. As unconventional experts, any whisky drinker will find themselves in good hands as a member of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.               

The Society’s mission is to grow our membership while ensuring everyone appreciates a sense of belonging to a like-minded community of whisky lovers. That pioneering and challenging spirit continues to guide the Society in everything we do, bringing like-minded whisky lovers together to appreciate whisky in its purest form. We are now renowned as the world’s leading whisky club, bringing an international community together to share in a constant variety of exceptional and multi award-winning single cask whiskies, enjoyed at colourful whisky tastings, festivals, and events.


Purpose of the role 
To inspire the venue team and deliver the venue’s operational objectives by taking accountability and leading from the front with a hands-on approach, developing the team, creating excellent customer service and a rewarding and exciting place to work for the team.  

The post holder will manage and ensure the smooth and safe operation of the SMWS venue at 28 Queen Street including potential off-site events. We are looking for a high energy, hands-on, person who can think on their feet and embodies the SMWS personalities and behaviours. The position is open for people with the most important qualities required being experienced, personality, desire to contribute and the delivery of results. 

Alongside the Venue Manager you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the operation of the venue ensuring that the venue is achieving the standards and is operating effectively and efficiently. A keen eye for detail is essential as we wish our members and guests to receive the highest levels of service at all times, delivered by a 
proactive, professional, focused and motivated team. 

The post holder will support the Venue Manager in delivering excellent commercial performance, working towards ambitious targets around turnover and profitability. They will be involved in the service on a daily basis and be a host to all members and guests in the venue.

 

Key Responsibilities 
Host 
  • Be readily available for venue members and guests and work with the Venue Manager to ensure a high level of quality for all services  
  • Ensure Member and Guest satisfaction and loyalty through engaging with them to ensure every visit is a memorable occasion 
  • If required, handle complaints and coming up with solutions. 

Leadership 
  • Ensure the smooth running of all private tastings and event as well as Members tastings within the building and the local external area 
  • Manage day-to-day staffing needs and weekly rota 
  • Taking on Shift Leader duties as required 
  • Ensure the venue team is fully aware of commercial objectives and work together to achieve these. 

Development 
  • Participate in the creation of an inspiring calendar of events and promotions for the venue which bring to life the Society Personalities and work with Marketing and Venue team ensure these are promoted. 
  • With the team, evolve the venue so that members can continue to discover new things, drink and participate in their Society.  
  • Ensure your team are properly trained on the Society Brand, Society Whisky and Spirits as well as systems, security and standard venue operations. 
  • Provide mentoring, coaching and regular feedback to improve team member performance. 
  • Participate in the recruitment and selection of new employees. Develop, coach and train the team, assist in conduct annual performance reviews. Managerial responsibility over all the staff team under your authority. 
 
Administration 
  • Administration responsibility with invoicing, cash operations and activity reports. Carry out inventories in compliance with administrative and financial procedures. 
  • Ensure venue is fully covered on all legal requirements through regular checks and annual compliance.
  
Stock management  
  • Responsible for all weekly stock orders, wine, beers softs and dried goods for the bar.  
  • Stock management – responsible for monthly stock takes and regular stock management large volume of SMWS whisky and other spirits, stock rotation for retail and bar.  
 


Experience
·         2 years team leadership and people management experience at a supervisor, assistant manager or department manager level 

Desirable experience
·         Experience in whisky specific environment 
·         Whisky education preferred


Personal attributes
  • Natural host and lively personality 
  • Energetic with a flexible, can-do attitude 
  • Self-motivated and result driven 
  • Customer focussed and strong interpersonal skills 
  • Excellent communication, organisational and team working skills 
  • Can demonstrate the ability to prioritise, multitask whilst retaining attention to detail and accuracy whilst working to deadlines 
  • Accountable, confident, and creative problem-solver  
 

 
You should be fluent in English.

Benefits

1. Staff bottle allocation
2. SMWS Staff Membership
3. Private Medical Care with Aviva
4. Group Life Insurance (Death in service)
5. Discretionary bonus scheme
6. Starting from 29 days holidays inclusive of statutory days
7. 30% off bottles and drinks at SMWS
8. Income protection and critical illness cover
9. Bike to work scheme
10. Electric car scheme
11. £100 annual allowance for glasses (screen users only)
12. Workplace Nursery scheme
13. Employee Assistance Programme with Health Assured
14. Auto-enrolment pension scheme
15. Salary exchange pension scheme
16. Charitable Giving and Volunteering
17. Birthday voucher
18. Annual Staff Party
19. Long service award gift and celebration

Details

1. Staff bottle allocation
At the start of each tax year (April) you will receive up to £500 retail value in vouchers to spend on bottles at our venues for you to explore and enjoy our marvellous liquid.

2. SMWS Staff Membership
All of our employees automatically become members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the worldwide whisky club with over 40,000 members who treasure flavour and the joy of shared experiences with whisky in its purest form.

3. Private Medical Care with Aviva
All employees at ASC have the option to opt in to this benefit from day 1 of employment. We pay the premium, and you must pay the ‘benefit in kind’. Cover for family is not paid by ASC, however you can add them onto your policy at your own cost, paid through monthly salary payment.

4. Group Life Insurance (Death in service)
Upon completion of 12-month service with the company this benefit provides insurance to cover a lump sum benefit to the employee’s named recipient in the event of their death.

5. Discretionary bonus scheme
The ASC Bonus Scheme is an annual, non-contractual benefit that allows our people to take part in the success of our company.

6. 29 days holidays inclusive of statutory days during the first year of employment. This allowance will increase by 1 day for each year of employment up to a maximum of 34 days.
If you are part time, your annual holiday allowance will be pro-rated.

7. 30% off bottles and drinks at SMWS
Whether visiting venues for food and drinks or to purchase bottles, all employees at ASC will receive 30% off their bill.

8. Income protection and critical illness cover
After 12 months service, employees with eligible conditions who are off work for 6 months and longer receive 66.7% of their base salary until they are fit to come back to work or reach the retirement age.

9. Bike to work scheme
This benefit scheme offers our employees the opportunity to save up to 43.25% on the cost of bicycles and/or safety equipment.

10. Electric car scheme
Please speak to the ASC People Team to request further details.

11. £100 annual allowance for glasses
Employees can claim back up to £100 on prescription glasses or contact lenses annually. This benefit is available for screen users who mostly work on a PC.

12. Workplace Nursery scheme
Our workplace nursery scheme is run by Enjoy Benefits and allows you to pay for your nursery fees before tax and NI deductions on your monthly salary (salary exchange), meaning you can save on the total cost of your monthly childcare.

13. Employee Assistance Programme with Health Assured
An EAP is a confidential employee benefit designed to help you deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting your home life or work life, health, and general wellbeing.
Our EAP service provides a support network that offers expert advice and guidance 24/7, covering a wide range of issues.

14. Auto-enrolment pension scheme
The Company offers an auto-enrolment pension scheme with Peoples Pension and follows the Government Legislative requirements at all times.

15. Salary exchange pension scheme
Salary exchange pension schemes are a tax efficient way for employees to pay into their workplace pension. They can help you increase your take home pay by lowering your tax and National Insurance contributions. Our scheme is run through Husky, as with the Auto-enrolment scheme, our workplace pensions are with The People's Pension.
16. Charitable Giving and Volunteering
We know that many of you have a cause that you are very passionate about, as a result we will match any fund raising you carry out up to £200 per year per staff member. We give every employee an additional day volunteering leave each year, for you to be able to physically support a charity or volunteering activity of your choice.

17. Birthday voucher
As a small token from us, each employee receives a £25 Highstreet Voucher on their birthday each year.

18. Annual Staff Party

19. Long service award gift and celebration
In recognition of employee’s length of service ASC offer milestone rewards such as vouchers and extra annual leave, from 5 years, right up to 20 years’ service

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