About Historic Rivermill
Historic Rivermill is Queensland's premier tourism destination and event venue, nestled on 6.4 hectares of stunning heritage farmland in Mount Nathan.
Welcoming over 150,000 visitors annually, we offer an unforgettable experience that combines a bustling café, equestrian activities, farm encounters, weddings, corporate events, and accommodation.
Our vision is to create meaningful connections between people, animals, and the land—delivering exceptional hospitality experiences that celebrate our heritage while embracing innovation.
We're passionate about quality, community, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
Location: Mount Nathan, Gold Coast Hinterland, QueenslandEmployment Type: Full-TimeSalary: Competitive, commensurate with experience
Cafe Manager
About the Role
We're seeking an experienced and motivated Cafe Manager to lead our vibrant café and hospitality operations.
This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll oversee daily café operations, manage private functions, drive service excellence, and contribute to the unique experience that makes Historic Rivermill a beloved destination.
You'll work in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same—from busy weekend brunches to private parties in the Barn, Red Table area, and main dining deck, through to large-scale events and weddings.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Service Delivery
Lead day-to-day café operations ensuring seamless service across all areas
Oversee private parties and functions in the Barn, Red Table area, and main dining deck
Ensure operational efficiency across both the restaurant and wedding ranch operations
Lead the transition of the café's operational model, experimenting with different structures to optimise performance
Maintain quality assurance across all service touchpoints
People Management
Manage rostering of all employees across FOH and BOH
Lead, train, and develop high-performing FOH and BOH teams
Provide regular training sessions to staff
Establish clear communication channels with all team members
Address and resolve conflicts with a focus on business-forward solutions
Define and communicate priorities for the team
Collaborate with neighbouring teams, including the marketing team led by Barbara
Full P&L responsibility—drive profitability across all operations
Manage supplies ordering for both FOH and BOH
Budget planning with direct reporting to the owner
Equipment oversight including inventory management, equipment quality, and decisions on equipment purchase or lease
Check for waste reports
Weddings & Events
Collaborate closely with the marketing team to re-establish the wedding ranch as a primary function, drawing on its historical significance
Ensure exceptional delivery of private events and functions
Compliance & Safety
Ensure all operations comply with Queensland state regulations and Gold Coast City Council standards
Maintain food safety compliance (HACCP) and workplace health and safety requirements
Ensure follow the Business Acument, SOPs and SOTs
Collaborate with Marketing team to enhance the business
Regularly review and update protocols to maintain compliance, including communication with regulators
Prioritise the safety of both staff and visitors
Ensure safety protocols exist, especially for horse riding activities, and directly facilitate or inspect their execution
Strengthen security measures to ensure entrance control
Maintain high-quality reports and logs to ensure a defensible position in case of injuries or damages
Administration & Documentation
Guide ADMIN in document maintenance using OneDrive—You'll also guide her to file documents correctly and without miss, following the "Family Office Handbook" standards
Resolve problems with suppliers and manage vendor relationships
About You
Essential Certifications
Current RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol)
Food Safety Supervisor Certificate
First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain prior to commencement)
Experience & Skills
Has dabbled in operations and change management, preferably while sipping a coffee in hospitality
Strong leadership and team management skills.
Remember, a leader without followers is just a person taking a walk
Detail-oriented with a focus on quality
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Can talk to a wall and expect a reply
Ability to handle conflicts with a focus on business-forward solutions.
Put every conflict resolution in the context of business goals
Ability to juggle tasks, teams, and occasionally, ideas.
Actual juggling skills are a bonus
The Intangibles
Trust: Earning trust from team members is essential.
It's like the Wi-Fi signal—when it's gone, people start panicking
Business Goals: Not afraid to be hard-nosed about business goals.
But remember, it's a nose, not a battering ram
IT Skills: Must use our IT system to track tasks and manage documents.
No, sticky notes on the monitor don't count
Tech Comfort: Comfortable working with AI, robots, and automatons.
No, they won't steal your coffee.
But you must use them
What We Offer
Competitive salary package
A unique and beautiful working environment in the Gold Coast Hinterland
Day Shift only (7 AM to 4 PM)
Work alongside animals, nature, and families who actually enjoy being together
How to Apply
If you're ready to bring your hospitality expertise to one of Queensland's most unique venues, we'd love to hear from you.
Click Apply Now and submit your resume along with a brief cover letter telling us why you'd be a great fit for Historic Rivermill.
Historic Rivermill is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.
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