Assistant Restaurant Manager - New Premium Opening

Pony Dining Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Pony Dining Barangaroo is seeking an Assistant Restaurant Manager to join at the ground floor of a highly anticipated Sydney opening. You will work closely with the Group General Manager and Venue Manager, shaping guest experience, culture and service standards from day one.

Ideal candidates have proven Assistant Manager experience in hatted or premium venues, a hands-on leadership style, and the ability to stay calm under pressure during busy shifts.

Qualifications

• Proven Assistant Manager experience in hatted or premium venues.
• Strong operational know-how and a hands-on leadership style.
• Exceptionally high service standards and attention to detail.
• Ability to stay cool, calm and charming at peak service times.

Responsibilities

• Lead services with confidence, ensuring flow, timing and consistency.
• Be the go-to person for guest feedback and turning hiccups into wow moments.
• Own the floor when busy and maintain high standards across FOH.
• Coach and mentor supervisors and frontline leaders.
• Run briefings and keep learning momentum across the team.
• Assist with rosters, labour control and shift costing; drive upselling.

Skills

Leadership

Operations

Service standards

Calm under pressure

Tools

Lightspeed

OpenTable

Deputy

Job description

Assistant Restaurant Manager | Pony Dining Barangaroo

Fancy getting in on the ground floor of something big? Saddle up.

Pony Dining Barangaroo is coming, and it’s been years in the making. This isn’t a job where you inherit someone else’s systems and quietly fit in. You’ll be there from day one, helping build the culture, the energy and the standards of one of Sydney’s most anticipated openings.

We’ve spent years perfecting our craft at Pony Dining The Rocks. Barangaroo is where we take all of it and go bigger, bolder. If you get a buzz from being in at the start, and you’d rather grow a team than just join one, Pony Barangaroo could be for you.

The Gig

You’ll work hand in glove with our Group General Manager and Venue Manager as a key pillar of the leadership team. You’re the bridge between big ideas and making them happen, and you’ll do it from the floor, not from behind a desk. You own the guest experience from first hello to final goodbye, keep the team culture glowing, and hold the bar high across every department.

Building the Stable (Pre-Opening & Operations)

• Help set up the venue, roll out systems and nail the opening
• Get stuck into recruitment, onboarding and structured team training
• Bake service standards, workflows and daily discipline into everything we do

Running the Show (Service & Floor Leadership)

• Lead services with confidence, keeping flow, timing and consistency on point
• Be the go to person for guest feedback and turning a wobbly moment into a wow moment
• Own the floor when it’s packed and pumping

Growing the Team (Team Development)

• Coach and mentor supervisors and FOH legends
• Keep accountability, performance and culture strong
• Run briefings and keep the learning rolling

Keeping the Numbers Happy (Financial & Operational Support)

• Help with rosters, labour control and shift costing
• Drive upselling, productivity and slick service
• Keep stock control and cost awareness front of mind across FOH

Systems & Compliance

• Get the best out of Lightspeed, OpenTable and Deputy
• Keep compliance and reporting tight

You’ll Be a Great Fit If You Have

• Proven Assistant Manager experience in hatted or premium venues
• Strong operational know how and a hands on leadership style
• Exceptionally high service standards and an eye for the tiny details
• The ability to stay cool, calm and charming when it’s absolutely flying

What Winning Looks Like

• Services glide along with great pacing, flow and the right people in the right places
• Your team is coached, engaged and clear on the standard every single shift
• Guests feel looked after at every touchpoint, and any hiccups are sorted fast and with grace
• Opens, closes, logs and rosters are done accurately and on time, every time
• The Venue Manager can walk out the door knowing the floor is in brilliant hands