2026 Front of House Supervisor
Salary £ 14.00 per hour
The Mermaid Tavern
Vacancy listed 26/12/2025
Application deadline 31/03/2026
Details
Contract dates
Start date 13 April 2026
End date 15 November 2026

Role Summary
The Front of House Supervisor at the Mermaid Tavern supports the Pub Manager in the daily running of the venue, ensuring smooth service across the floor and delivering an outstanding guest experience.
 You will lead shifts, supervise the FOH team, maintain service standards, and act as a key point of contact for guests. This role is hands-on and ideal for someone who enjoys a busy pub environment, can stay calm under pressure, and leads by example.
 Prior pub/restaurant supervisory experience and good working knowledge of food safety and basic licensing regulations are preferred.


Key Responsibilities 
  • Act as Duty Supervisor on designated shifts, overseeing floor operations in the bar and dining areas.
  • Lead pre-service briefings: cover specials, menu changes, bookings, events and staffing for the shift.
  • Allocate sections and tasks to FOH staff and ensure everyone understands their responsibilities.
  • Lead from the front during service, supporting both bar and floor when required.
  • Ensure service standards, sequence of service and pub operating procedures are consistently followed.
  • Handle guest queries and complaints professionally, resolving issues wherever possible and escalating to the Manager when needed.
  • Support with onboarding and training new FOH team members on service standards, EPOS, menu knowledge and guest care.
  • Coach team members on upselling techniques, product knowledge and guest engagement.
  • Monitor staff performance on shift, giving real-time feedback and support.
  • Help promote a positive, collaborative working environment where the team feels supported and motivated.
  • Monitor waiting times, table turn times and overall flow of service in the bar and dining areas.
  • Ensure allergens and dietary requirements are captured, communicated and handled in line with company procedures.
  • Responsible for occasional lockup/open in managers absence
  • Maintain a safe and tidy FOH environment, including table clearing, resetting and keeping walkways clear.
  • Help to maintain cleaning schedules for the bar, floor and guest areas, ensuring standards are met.

Competencies Required
  • Proven ability to supervise and motivate a team in a busy pub or bar environment.
  • Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and multitask during peak periods.
  • Confident decision-maker, able to take ownership of the shift and solve problems quickly.
  • Excellent communication skills with both guests and colleagues.
  • Calm and professional under pressure, with a guest-focused mindset.
  • Flexible to work a rota including evenings, weekends, bank holidays and peak seasonal periods.

Technical Skills Required
  • Experience using EPOS systems in a bar or pub setting.
  • Confident handling cash, card payments and basic reconciliations.
  • Good working knowledge of pub food and drinks and the ability to describe them to guests.
  • Understanding of basic food hygiene and allergen procedures.

Qualifications / Experience Required
  • Prior experience in a similar position is preferred.
  • Knowledge of food safety and allergens is a plus.

General
  • The role requires a high level of stamina as most days will require you to be on your feet. 
  • This role requires a high-level of fitness and the ability to lift and carry large/heavy items.

Working within the Health and Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, the postholder has a legal duty to take reasonable care for Health and Safety both for themselves and others who may be affected by their actions. They are also required to undertake Health and Safety training commensurate with the level required by the post and to take part in risk assessment procedures and the implementation of agreed recommended work practices within the area. 
  
Undertaking other duties not specifically stated which from time to time are necessary without altering the nature or level of responsibility. 
 
In addition to the required key responsibilities, it is expected that every employee acts in a professional manner at all times, including when off duty, as guests and employees use the same facilities, infrastructure and social areas.

About working on Herm Island
The small paradise island of Herm is just off Guernsey in the Channel Islands, which lie in the English Channel between southern England and northern France.  
 
Herm is a designated tourist island which is reached by a 20-minute ferry journey from Guernsey harbour, and where guests and day visitors enjoy year-round hospitality.  
  
 Guest accommodation includes: 
  • The White House Hotel: 
    • 40-bedroomed boutique hotel with several family sized and dog friendly rooms. 
  • Self-catering Holiday Cottages:  
    • 19 cottages and apartments dotted around the island sleeping between 2 – 7 people. 
  • Seagull & Mermaid Campsites:  
    • offering over 130 seasonal pitches rented on an annual basis by Guernsey families, and 23 equipped tents for short-term hire April to September.  
  • Herm also has a range of dining options and facilities including: 
    • The Conservatory Restaurant: a 90-cover classic, fine-dining hotel restaurant. 
    • The Ship Inn: a brasserie style inn seating 70 inside, and 80 in the courtyard and garden. 
    • The Mermaid Tavern: a popular and busy gastro pub which also hosts live entertainment and events throughout the year with a capacity of 500 people. 
    • 120-seater marquee for special events in the hotel grounds. 
  • Harbour Village, Shell Beach and Belvoir Bay Cafés:  
    • three outdoor seated cafés, one in the busy Harbour Village and the other two at the most scenic and popular beaches in Herm. 
  • The Herm Shop: 
    • a busy shop which stocks a host of products from gifts and clothing to beach goods and toys. 

Working in Herm 
 
Working and living in Herm is a truly unique and rewarding opportunity. There are approximately 50 permanent staff with year-round roles with up to an additional 100 seasonal staff. 
  
The hospitality teams are supported by several back-office departments including finance, reservations, administration, marketing, and recruitment. The island properties, infrastructure and landscape are maintained by a team of professionals and the island also has its own cargo vessel managed by the Services team. 
  
As there are no cars or bicycles in Herm a good degree of fitness is required to negotiate the varied terrain. With no resident doctor or hospital, shortlisted applicants are advised to self-assess their suitability to work on the island. Several residents are trained as community first responders delivering first aid, policing, and fire services.
 
The rewards are plentiful if you are hard-working and motivated by small team collaboration, helping others, delivering a professional service and above all, taking accountability for your role.
 
 
Vision & Culture
  
Our VISION is to have a sustainable business whilst preserving the unique appeal of Herm Island, including environmental project work.  
 
Our CULTURE encourages a hard-working, collaborative, team approach focused on accountability, empowerment and ultimately excellent customer and staff experience. 


Benefits

Flat 20% Income Tax rate over personal allowance, plus low Social Security rate
Zero VAT
Competitive board & lodging rates
Free ferry travel between Herm and Guernsey
Staff discounts on-island
Preferential accommodation rates for Friends and Family outside of Peak Season
Stunning beaches with exceptional sea swimming / kayaking / SUP opportunities
On the job training to include Level 2 Food Hygiene certification

Notes

NOTES: to enable us to consider your application please read the below information before completing the NOTES section in your application

EXPERIENCE: If you have no relevant prior experience, please provide additional information in the NOTES section.

ELIGIBILITY - Please confirm what relevant permissions you possess to work in Herm Island, or whether permissions need to be obtained under the States of Guernsey Work Permit Policy – information on Work Permits can be found here (copy and paste into your browser) https://www.gov.gg/immigration

IMPORTANT - When applying please UPLOAD your CV and a cover letter explaining why you wish to apply for the position.

AVAILABILITY - Please let us know your preferred start / finish dates if they do not align with those stated above.

OTHER - If you are applying as a couple, please state your partner's name.

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