General Manager - Operations

Moonee Valley Racing Club; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Parental leave

Long service leave

Superannuation cover

Ticketing access

Discounted meals

Job summary

Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) is undertaking a transformative $2bn+ project to redefine its precincts and return racing to The Valley in 2027. The General Manager - Operations will provide strategic operational leadership across venue, events, and services to deliver exceptional customer and racing experiences.

Across a complex, multi-stakeholder environment, you will drive operational planning, governance and risk management, and lead a high-performing team through redevelopment and

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Operations or related field.
• Excellent communication and relationship skills.
• Strategic thinker with execution focus.
• Experience leading operations through transformation or major projects.
• Ability to build relationships with stakeholders including industry bodies and government.
• Understanding of governance, risk management and WHS.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery of race meetings and major events, including the Cox Plate Carnival.
• Translate the vision of The Valley of Tomorrow into operational plans and delivery frameworks.
• Oversee operational readiness and ongoing venue operations across the new track, facilities and MVRC portfolio.
• Develop and operate venue services and commercial operating models, including food and beverage.
• Manage budgets, capital expenditure and resource allocation within financial parameters.
• Develop and lead maintenance strategies to maximise asset performance and minimise disruption.
• Embed Enterprise Risk Management across venue operations.
• Lead, develop and build a high-performing Operations team.

Skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Governance & risk

Education

Business/Operations degree

Job description

Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) is the historic home of Australia’s Best Race, the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, and for the past 30 years, the best night racing in Australasia. The Club also operates a progressive hospitality portfolio including four multi-purpose entertainment venues and a flagship restaurant, and continues to look for opportunities across premium hospitality, major events, strategic partnerships and immersive entertainment experiences that drive commercial growth beyond race day.

MVRC is currently embarking on a once-in-a-generation $2bn+ transformation project, focused on the development of lifestyle, recreation, and leisure spaces to create an industry-leading connected precinct that will redefine the horse racing industry. Designed to position MVRC as one of Melbourne’s most prized sports and events destinations, the project will unlock new business and tourism opportunities while elevating the Club into a new era for generations to come. During the racecourse closure, MVRC continues to conduct race meetings under a transferred model, partnering with other race clubs, with a scheduled return to racing at The Valley’s new track in 2027.

About the role

The General Manager - Operations will play a critical leadership role in guiding the Club through one of the most significant periods in its history. Working closely with the direct reports, property team and key stakeholders across the organisation, this role will lead operational planning and delivery throughout the racecourse redevelopment and the Club’s transition toward a return to racing at The Valley in September 2027.

The role will provide operational leadership across the interface between the Mixed-Use Development, Racecourse Works and ongoing Club operations, ensuring effective coordination across multiple stakeholder groups and competing operational priorities. Success in the role will require strong commercial acumen, planning capability, and the ability to navigate a highly complex and evolving environment.

The role will also establish and lead the operational framework for MVRC's future racing, events and venue operations, ensuring the Club is operationally ready to deliver exceptional customer, racing and venue experiences upon its return to The Valley.

We are seeking an experienced senior operational leader with a strong track record across venue operations, major events, sport, entertainment, infrastructure or related industries. You will bring strong commercial and financial acumen, together with experience leading operations through transformation, redevelopment or major capital projects.

Key responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the operational delivery of race meetings and major events, including the Cox Plate Carnival, as the Club transitions back to racing at The Valley.
• Translate the vision of The Valley of Tomorrow into operational plans, systems, and delivery frameworks.
• Oversee operational readiness and ongoing venue operations across the new track, racecourse facilities, grounds and MVRC's broader venue portfolio.
• Lead the development and operational readiness of key venue services and commercial operating models, including food and beverage, to support the Club's return to racing.
• Manage operational budgets, capital expenditure, and resource allocation to ensure projects and operational activities are delivered within approved financial parameters.
• Develop and lead the overall maintenance strategy to implement preventative and planned maintenance programs to maximise asset performance, minimise operational disruption and protect asset value.
• Embed and promote the Club's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework across venue operations, ensuring risks are identified, assessed and effectively managed.
• Develop and lead the overall maintenance strategy to implement preventative and planned maintenance programs to maximise asset performance, minimise operational disruption and protect asset value.
• Lead, develop and build a high-performing Operations team, ensuring the capability, resources and culture required to deliver operational excellence.

To effectively perform in the role, the successful candidate must have the following skills, experience, and qualifications:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Business, Operations Management, Project Management, Property, Engineering, or a related discipline are desirable
• Exceptional communication, influencing, and relationship management skills
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate long-term vision into operational execution
• Demonstrated experience leading operations through periods of organisational transformation, redevelopment, or large-scale capital projects
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including industry bodies, government agencies, contractors, consultants, and service providers
• Sound understanding of governance, compliance, risk management, and WHS frameworks

For your successful contribution to the Club, you can anticipate being rewarded with:

• Excellent remuneration package including salary packaging with additional benefits for a NFP organisation
• Industry leading paid parental leave scheme
• Long Service Leave in addition to the National Employment Standards
• Industry leading Hostplus superannuation insurance cover including free Death, TPD and Salary Continuance
• Racing industry ticketing
• Discounted meals at MVRC owned and operated venues

Applications close: Friday 25 September 2026. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Moonee Valley Racing Club is an equal-opportunity employer and successfully maintains a 0% median gender pay gap.

Applications will only be accepted from candidates who have the appropriate approval to work in Australia. Successful applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Record and Bankruptcy check prior to commencement of employment.