Deputy Front of House Manager - Royal Ocean Racing Club Cowes

Job Posted: 30 January 2026

• Contract Term: Permanent
• Location: Cowes, Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Full time
• Salary: £24,000
• Industries: Catering, Hospitality & Bar

ONLY COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE CONSIDERED.  TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM IN THE DOCUMENT SECTION AND SEND IT ALONG WITH YOUR CV AND A COVERING EMAIL TO [email protected].  

Job Title: Deputy Front of House Manager

Reporting to: Front of House & Events Manager

Location: Cowes Clubhouse, Cowes, Isle of Wight

Contract Type: 30 hours per week (service shifts with some seasonal variation)

Salary: £24,000

Holiday: 28 days per annum including bank holidays

Company Background and Context

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is a private members’ club and a leading authority in international and domestic offshore yacht racing with Clubhouses in central London and Cowes.

Steeped in history, the RORC Cowes Clubhouse is a magnificent building set on Castle Hill, which has recently undergone a £2million refurbishment. The Cowes Clubhouse enjoys a prime elevated site with outstanding views of the Solent.

The Cowes Clubhouse provides accommodation with 13 rooms, many with Solent views, and excellent dining options all year round for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Clubhouse has all the facilities to host yacht racing events, such as the world’s largest offshore race the Rolex Fastnet Race, as well as a busy programme of member and private events. It is available for business meetings and social occasions.

Job Purpose and Scope

The Deputy Front of House Manager supports the Front of House & Events Manager in the effective day-to-day operation of the Club’s food and beverage service and event delivery. This role combines hands-on service leadership with responsibility for supervising the Front of House team and assisting in the coordination of Club and third-party events.

The postholder will assist with event delivery, helping to ensure consistently high standards of service for members, guests, and clients. Acting as a key operational presence, the Deputy Front of House Manager will deputise for the Front of House & Events Manager when required and support the smooth running of service across the Club.

RORC Cowes is busiest from May through October, when the role is service-focused, including evening and weekend event shifts (typically 6 per week). Outside of peak season, the focus shifts towards planning, administration, and team development.

The role works closely with the Front of House & Events Manager, Cowes Finance Officer, and the Clubhouse Administrator.

Key Responsibilities

• Front of House Service
• Support the Front of House & Events Manager in supervising the permanent FOH team, ensuring appropriate staffing levels and consistently high service standards.
• Assist in the supervision and coordination of casual event staff during busy periods.
• Lead by example during service, welcoming and engaging members and guests, and supporting reservations, check-ins, and departures.
• Assist with staff rotas and scheduling in collaboration with the Administrator and Front of House & Events Manager.
• Support the training, development, and motivation of permanent and seasonal FOH staff.
• Monitor stock levels and assist with ordering and correct handling of bar and restaurant supplies.
• Contribute to weekly planning and operational meetings.

Event Management & Delivery

• Support the Front of House & Events Manager in responding to event enquiries and liaising with clients regarding requirements.
• Assist administrator with the preparation of quotations, contracts, and event documentation.
• Help plan, coordinate, and deliver events, maintaining timelines and checklists.
• Work closely with the kitchen team to coordinate menus, dietary requirements, and service timings.
• Assist in coordinating FOH teams for room setup, service delivery, and guest management.
• Liaise with external suppliers as required.
• Act as a senior operational contact during events, ensuring smooth delivery and guest satisfaction.
• Supervise event setup, service, and breakdown as delegated.
• Maintain booking records using Caterbook as required
• Provide feedback on event delivery and contribute to the continuous improvement of service standards and procedures.

Person Specification

• Professional presentation and conduct with a proactive, solution-focused approach.
• Confident supporting operational service delivery while assisting with planning and administration.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with members, guests, and colleagues.
• Experience working in hospitality, hotels, or private members’ clubs.
• Experience supervising teams in a front-of-house or service environment.
• Good financial awareness, with experience supporting quotations and reporting.
• Competent with IT systems and reservation or event management software.
• Experience in front-of-house supervision and/or events coordination within hospitality.
• Sound knowledge of dining etiquette and service styles, from casual to fine dining.
• Flexible and collaborative, with the ability to adapt to seasonal business demands.
• Strong attention to detail, initiative, and the ability to prioritise and delegate tasks appropriately.