General Manager: Lead A High-Energy Melbourne Venue

Hastings People; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hastings People is seeking a seasoned General Manager to lead a large, high-volume hospitality operation in Melbourne. You will drive performance, guest experience and team leadership from a prime CBD location.

You will oversee restaurant, bar and late-night dynamics, manage P&L, costs and inventory, and partner with culinary and leadership teams on events that boost visitation and revenue.

Qualifications

• At least three years of General Manager experience in a high-volume hospitality environment.
• Strong people leadership with ability to develop and motivate large teams.
• Broad operational knowledge across food service, cocktails, beer and wine.
• Strong financial literacy, including labour, COGS, budgets and profitability.
• Understanding of Melbourne's hospitality, dining, bar and culture landscape and growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations across restaurant, bar and late-night trade with strong guest experiences.
• Recruit, coach and develop a large team, fostering accountability and growth.
• Own P&L, labour, cost of goods, inventory and controllable expenses.
• Oversee atmosphere, presentation, service and guest flow across trade cycles.
• Collaborate with culinary, creative and leadership teams on events and promotions.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Budgeting

Hospitality operations

People management

Job description

General Manager, High-Energy Restaurant & Bar, Melbourne Icon

Our client operates one of Melbourne's most established and distinctive hospitality venues, known for its energetic atmosphere, strong food and beverage offering and enduring place within the city's dining and nightlife landscape. Combining multiple hospitality experiences within one dynamic CBD destination, the venue attracts a broad mix of loyal regulars and new guests.

Client Profile

Our client operates one of Melbourne's most established and distinctive hospitality venues, known for its energetic atmosphere, strong food and beverage offering and enduring place within the city's dining and nightlife landscape. Combining multiple hospitality experiences within one dynamic CBD destination, the venue attracts a broad mix of loyal regulars and new guests.

Job Description

This is an opportunity for an accomplished General Manager to take ownership of a large, high-volume hospitality operation and lead its next phase of growth. Working closely with an experienced leadership team, you will oversee all aspects of venue performance while maintaining the personality, atmosphere and service standards that make the business distinctive.

You will be highly visible within the venue, setting the standard for hospitality while building a strong leadership culture across front of house, bar and kitchen teams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead daily operations across restaurant, bar and late-night trade, ensuring consistently strong execution and guest experiences
• Recruit, coach and develop a large team, creating a culture of accountability, engagement and professional growth
• Take ownership of commercial performance, including P&L management, labour, cost of goods, inventory and controllable expenses
• Oversee the atmosphere and presentation of the venue, ensuring service, music, lighting and guest flow support each stage of trade
• Collaborate with culinary, creative and leadership teams on events, promotions, private bookings and initiatives that drive visitation and revenue

Candidate Profile

You will be an experienced hospitality leader who combines strong commercial capability with genuine presence on the floor. You understand how to lead a busy, personality-driven venue and can balance operational discipline with warmth, energy and individuality.

You will bring:

• At least three years of General Manager experience within a high-volume hospitality environment
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to develop, motivate and hold large teams accountable
• Broad operational knowledge across food service, cocktails, beer and wine
• Strong financial literacy, including experience managing labour, COGS, budgets and overall venue profitability
• A sound understanding of Melbourne's hospitality, dining, bar, music and cultural landscape, with the ability to identify opportunities to grow visitation and revenue

Offer

This is an opportunity to lead one of Melbourne's most established hospitality operations while working alongside an experienced and supportive leadership group. The successful candidate will have significant autonomy to influence the venue's culture, performance and future direction from a prime Melbourne CBD location.