About Us
At Collegians, we take pride in our 60-year history as a pillar of the greater Wollongong community. Across our four venues – Collegians Wollongong, Figtree, Balgownie, and Illawarra Leagues – we remain committed to delivering memorable dining experiences and exceptional service to every guest, every day.
As we continue to grow our food & beverage operations, we are seeking an accomplished culinary leader to join our team and drive excellence across all catering and kitchen functions
The Opportunity
As Executive Chef / Catering Director you will be responsible for the strategic direction, operational management and financial performance of all kitchen and catering activities at Collegians RLFC. Key accountabilities include:
* Leading the full culinary function: menu creation, food quality, presentation, service standards
* Managing food cost, labour cost, kitchen budget, and profitability
* Developing and mentoring a high-performance kitchen & catering team
* Ensuring compliance with food safety, hygiene, workplace health & safety, and licensing requirements
* Collaborating with leadership (club management, event sales, marketing) to maximise revenue opportunities and cross-sell catering services
* Sourcing premium local produce, building supplier partnerships, and maintaining inventory systems
* Innovating menu concepts that reflect our club's brand, guest expectations, and seasonal trends
Key Requirements
* Demonstrated experience as an Executive Chef or senior culinary/catering director in high-volume hospitality, events, or club environment (Sydney/Wollongong region preferred)
* Exceptional leadership and team-building skills — able to manage, train and motivate kitchen staff, catering teams and service partners
* Strong financial acumen — experience managing food cost %, labour, budgeting and achieving profit targets
* Proven skills in menu development, banquet/events catering, and large-scale service operations
* Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills
* Up-to-date knowledge of food safety, hygiene, health & safety legislation, and best-practice kitchen operations
What We Offer
* A highly visible leadership role
* Scope to shape and grow the club's catering business, events portfolio, and member experience
* Competitive salary and benefits package
* Supportive, community-focused workplace culture with opportunities for innovation and personal growth
How to Apply
Please submit your resume plus a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, leadership style, and vision for elevating the catering and hospitality offering at Collegians RLFC.
Collegians RLFC is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity within the team.