Venue Manager
Premium Restaurant | Major Expansion | Mornington Peninsula
This is not a steady-state role.
This is an opportunity to take a well-established restaurant through a significant transformation and help define what it becomes next.
Following a period of rapid change, the business is moving from a modest footprint into a 100+ seat destination restaurant, supported by major investment in fit-out, offering, and guest experience. The ambition is clear: to build one of the Mornington Peninsula's most respected and talked-about dining venues.
We are seeking a commercially astute, people-first restaurant leader who wants to be part of that journey and leave a genuine mark.
The Opportunity
This is a senior leadership role with real influence. You will play a hands-on role in:
* Leading and developing a high-performing front-of-house team
* Setting and maintaining service standards in a full-service restaurant environment
* Owning labour performance, wage control, and cost management
* Working closely with ownership and senior leadership on the venue's long-term positioning
* Helping guide the restaurant through its expansion and into its next phase
This role suits someone who wants accountability, autonomy, and the chance to help build a destination venue, not just manage day-to-day operations.
About You
This role is designed for a proven restaurant leader. You bring:
* Experience running full-service, high-volume restaurant operations
* Strong leadership presence and an ability to build, train, and retain teams
* Sound commercial judgement with confidence managing labour and performance metrics
* Ambition, drive, and the vision to help put a restaurant on the map
* A long-term mindset and pride in building sustainable success
You are comfortable leading from the floor, making decisions, and holding yourself and others to high standards.
Remuneration & Benefits
* Salary of $95,000 - $105,000 dependant on experience
* Quarterly performance bonus, up to $20,000 per year, linked to clear financial and operational KPIs
* Employee perks, including tickets to Destroy All Lines events
* Generous dining discounts across The Happy Horsemen venue group
The remuneration structure is designed to reward strong leadership, consistency, and long-term commitment.
Why This Role
* Major expansion already underway
* High-profile location with strong local and visitor trade
* Real opportunity to shape culture, standards, and reputation
* Clear financial upside for high performers
* A genuine long-term career opportunity, not a stop-gap
If you are a restaurant leader looking for a role where your decisions matter, your leadership is visible, and your success is rewarded, this is worth a conversation.
Important information
Sponsorship is not available for this role.
For a confidential conversation about the opportunity, please email