VENUE MANAGER — Brand New French Bistro & Cafe | Pakenham VIC
Full-Time Permanent | Hospitality & Front-of-House | Competitive Salary + Benefits
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ABOUT US
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We're bringing a little corner of Paris to Pakenham. Our brand-new French bistro, attached to the Mercure Pakenham Hotel is built on a love of honest, beautiful food, exceptional wine, and the kind of warm hospitality that makes guests want to linger just a little longer.
We're not your ordinary neighbourhood restaurant — we're here to push boundaries, try new things, and create experiences that genuinely excite people. If that sounds like your kind of place, keep reading.
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THE ROLE
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We're looking for a dynamic, passionate Venue Manager to be the face of our bistro and the driving force behind everything that happens front-of-house. This is a rare opportunity to come in at the ground level of an exciting new opening and truly make the role your own.
You'll lead from the floor, inspire your team, charm our guests, and help shape a hospitality experience that stands out in Melbourne's south-east.
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WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
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Own the guest experience from the very first hello to the final au revoir
Lead, develop, and inspire the front-of-house team that loves what they do
Design and deliver engaging staff training in French cuisine, wine, and cocktails
Support the bistro's social media presence — capturing the vibe, the food, the stories
Collaborate with the management team to introduce fresh ideas, events, and concepts that keep things exciting
Manage daily operations including floor workflow, reservations, and service standards
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, creativity, and genuine hospitality
Ensure compliance across RSA, food safety, and venue licensing requirements
Support with rostering, stock management, and supplier coordination
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WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
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2+ years in a venue management or senior hospitality leadership role
Micros Symphony knowledge highly preferred and is an added advantage
A genuine appreciation for French cuisine, wine, and cocktail culture — you don't need to be a sommelier, but you need to love it
A natural people leader who gets energy from developing and mentoring a team
Guest obsessed — you know that the little moments make the biggest difference
Socially savvy — comfortable creating content and building a community online (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
Experience with basic business posting and content creation for social media platforms is preferred
Creative and bold — you bring ideas, you back yourself, and you're not afraid to try something new
Organised and cool under pressure — because service doesn't wait
Current RSA certificate (or willingness to obtain before commencement)
Knowledge of the Pakenham / south-east Melbourne community is a bonus
Australian work rights are required for this position
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WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
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Competitive salary, negotiable based on experience.