Catering, Cleaning & Waste (CCW) Cluster Venue Manager (H/F)

Rugby World Cup Australia; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Rugby World Cup Australia is seeking a CCW Cluster Venue Manager to lead planning and delivery of catering, cleaning and waste across multiple venues in Australia. The role covers operational planning, contractor management, and mobilising a large volunteer workforce to deliver an exceptional tournament experience.

The position involves developing venue-specific plans, coordinating with operators and partners, and leading the CCW team during tournament delivery to meet safety, quality and

Qualifications

• 2-3 years' experience managing catering operations, event operations, hospitality, venue operations or other large-scale service delivery environments.
• Strong understanding of food safety requirements, liquor licensing and hospitality operations, with the ability to interpret operational issues, assess risks and effectively liaise with catering providers to support informed decision‑making.
• Proven ability to manage service providers and contractors, ensuring delivery against contractual obligations, operational requirements, service standards and key performance expectations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across venue operators, suppliers, partners, volunteers and internal teams.
• Excellent planning and organisational capability, able to manage multiple venues, competing priorities and complex operational activities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to motivate, develop and support both paid staff and volunteer teams in a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Resilient, solutions‑focused and adaptable, with experience delivering operational readiness programs, managing issues under pressure and contributing to exceptional customer and stakeholder experiences.
• Flexibility to travel as required, and willingness to work outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, to support activities and tournament delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of catering, cleaning and waste operations across an allocated cluster of Rugby World Cup 2027 venues, ensuring alignment with tournament requirements, venue agreements and operational objectives.
• Manage venue caterer relationships and performance, overseeing contractual obligations, service standards, operational milestones, key performance indicators and issue resolution.
• Develop and implement venue‑specific operational plans, including food and beverage services, client group catering, Tournament Partner integration, cleaning programs, waste management and venue readiness activities.
• Lead the development and review of key planning deliverables, including F&B outlet plans, product and pricing matrices, catering operations plans and tournament readiness programs.
• Provide leadership, coaching and line management to CCW Venue Leads and volunteers, supporting recruitment, training, engagement and consistent operational delivery across all assigned venues.
• Act as the CCW lead during tournament operations, driving venue performance, managing risks and escalations, and collaborating with venue operators, service providers and internal teams to deliver a safe, efficient and world‑class event experience.

Skills

Catering operations

Event operations

Hospitality operations

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Planning & organisation

Risk management

Job description

Rugby World Cup Australia (RWCA) is proud to deliver one of the world’s most iconic sporting events — Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. More than a tournament, it’s a celebration of Rugby’s spirit, Australia’s culture, and the power of sport to unify and inspire communities around the world.

Rugby World Cup Australia is seeking a Catering, Cleaning & Waste (CCW) Cluster Venue Manager to play a key role in the delivery of the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. Reporting to the CCW Operations Manager, this opportunity can be based in our Host Cities Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth where you will oversee venue operational planning, contractor and stakeholder management, tournament readiness activities and operational delivery across multiple venues. You will lead a team of Venue Leads, support the engagement of a large volunteer workforce and drive collaboration across a diverse stakeholder group to ensure successful event outcomes. From developing food and beverage and venue operations plans to managing risks, resolving issues and leading venue delivery during tournament time.

This exciting opportunity will see you lead the planning, readiness and delivery of catering, cleaning and waste operations across a cluster of tournament venues, helping to create a world-class experience for teams, officials, workforce, media, broadcast partners and fans. Working closely with venue operators, caterers, service providers, Tournament Partners and internal functional teams, you will ensure services are delivered to the highest standards while meeting tournament requirements, operational objectives and contractual commitments.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of catering, cleaning and waste operations across an allocated cluster of Rugby World Cup 2027 venues, ensuring alignment with tournament requirements, venue agreements and operational objectives.
• Manage venue caterer relationships and performance, overseeing contractual obligations, service standards, operational milestones, key performance indicators and issue resolution.
• Develop and implement venue‑specific operational plans, including food and beverage services, client group catering, Tournament Partner integration, cleaning programs, waste management and venue readiness activities.
• Lead the development and review of key planning deliverables, including F&B outlet plans, product and pricing matrices, catering operations plans and tournament readiness programs.
• Provide leadership, coaching and line management to CCW Venue Leads and volunteers, supporting recruitment, training, engagement and consistent operational delivery across all assigned venues.
• Act as the CCW lead during tournament operations, driving venue performance, managing risks and escalations, and collaborating with venue operators, service providers and internal teams to deliver a safe, efficient and world‑class event experience.

Qualifications & Experience

• 2-3 years' experience managing catering operations, event operations, hospitality, venue operations or other large-scale service delivery environments, ideally within major events, sport or stadia settings.
• Strong understanding of food safety requirements, liquor licensing and hospitality operations, with the ability to interpret operational issues, assess risks and effectively liaise with catering providers to support informed decision‑making.
• Proven ability to manage service providers and contractors, ensuring delivery against contractual obligations, operational requirements, service standards and key performance expectations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across venue operators, suppliers, partners, volunteers and internal teams.
• Excellent planning and organisational capability, able to manage multiple venues, competing priorities and complex operational activities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to motivate, develop and support both paid staff and volunteer teams in a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Resilient, solutions‑focused and adaptable, with experience delivering operational readiness programs, managing issues under pressure and contributing to exceptional customer and stakeholder experiences.
• Flexibility to travel as required, and willingness to work outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, to support activities and tournament delivery.

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Fixed‑term contract offering unique exposure to the delivery of a world‑class sporting event.
• Flexible ways of working: Enjoy a hybrid work model with four days per week in the office (Monday to Thursday), transitioning to full‑time in the office as tournament delivery approaches.
• Remote working opportunity with travel to our modern Sydney office, just a 5-minute walk from Town Hall, surrounded by public transport, great cafes, restaurants, and shops.
• Wellbeing first: Virtual lunch & learns and a focus on keeping our team feeling their best on and off the field.
• Be part of something extraordinary: Play a key role in delivering the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, one of the world's largest sporting events, and help create a lasting legacy for rugby in Australia.
• Australia’s hosting of the Rugby World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game, celebrate our people and culture, and deliver lasting social and economic impact.
• At the heart of our mission is diversity, inclusion, and legacy ensuring Rugby’s growth benefits all and inspires a new generation of players, fans, and communities.

Rugby World Cup Australia is committed to building a diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background and are happy to provide reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, which reflects the global sport we want to be and where everyone can be themselves and feel they belong.