Venue Manager - Fairfield Boathouse

Fairfield Boathouse is one of Melbourne’s most iconic hospitality destinations, a unique waterfront venue combining hospitality, tourism, events, and recreational experiences all in one. With exciting renovations on the horizon, we’re entering a major new chapter and are searching for an experienced Venue Manager to lead the business through its next phase of growth.

This is a rare opportunity to take the reins of a large-scale, multifaceted operation with strong local roots, high tourist traffic, a thriving events business, and seasonal trade dynamics that require a highly capable and commercially minded operator.

About the Role

As Venue Manager, you will oversee all aspects of the venue’s operation, leading a large and diverse team across food & beverage, events, and boat hire while ensuring exceptional guest experiences and strong commercial outcomes.

This is not a standard hospitality management role. Fairfield Boathouse requires a resilient and adaptable leader who can confidently navigate peak trading periods, seasonal fluctuations, and the complexity that comes with running a destination venue catering to a broad range of clientele.

You will play a key role in driving profitability, labour management, operational standards, team culture, and customer engagement while helping shape the venue during an exciting redevelopment period.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Leading and developing a large front and back-of-house team
• Driving venue profitability and operational performance
• Managing labour, wages, and cost controls across fluctuating trade periods
• Overseeing high-volume service operations and large-scale events
• Delivering exceptional customer experiences across diverse demographics
• Building strong relationships with locals, tourists, families, and community stakeholders
• Maintaining high standards across service, presentation, and compliance
• Leading the venue through upcoming renovations and operational change
• Creating a positive, high-performing team culture

About You

You are an experienced hospitality leader who thrives in large, fast-paced, and operationally complex environments. You bring strong commercial acumen, calm leadership under pressure, and the ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on operational involvement.

You’ll ideally have:

• Proven experience managing large hospitality venues or destination operations
• Strong understanding of P&L management, labour control, and profitability
• Experience leading high-volume service environments and events operations
• Exceptional people leadership and team development skills
• The ability to manage seasonal trade fluctuations and operational complexity
• A warm, engaging leadership style with strong customer and community focus
• A proactive and solutions-focused mindset
• Experience in tourism, waterfront, or multifaceted hospitality operations highly regarded

Why Join Australian Venue Co.?

• Total package up to $154K (Base salary + super + KPI bonus)
• Staff discounts across 250+ venues throughout Australia & New Zealand
• Real career growth opportunities within one of the fastest-growing hospitality groups in ANZ
• Strong centralised support across operations, marketing, people & culture, finance, recruitment, and training
• Be part of an exciting renovation and transformation journey
• Work with a business that invests heavily in people development and internal progression

If you’re a commercially savvy hospitality leader ready for your next challenge, we’d love to hear from you.