Night Operations Manager - Sydney Opera House

Quayclean; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid onsite parking

Ongoing training and career dev

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Health & wellbeing support

Job summary

Quayclean is seeking an experienced Night Operations Manager to oversee the overnight operations at the Sydney Opera House. You will lead a team of 14–15 people from 11:00pm to 7:30am, coordinating priorities, resources and activities to ensure the venue is presented to a world-class standard each morning.

You will drive quality audits, oversee deep-cleaning programs, and maintain strong relationships with the client and internal leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a team in busy, overnight operations.
• Ability to plan and coordinate nightly cleaning activities to meet schedules.
• Strong focus on quality, safety and presentation standards.
• Excellent communication with clients and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of ~14–15 during the overnight shift.
• Set priorities and allocate people/resources for nightly operation.
• Plan and manage periodical/deep-cleaning programs.
• Conduct quality audits and address issues promptly.
• Ensure venue is ready for the next day’s operations.
• Coach and train team; maintain high performance.
• Monitor hours and productivity within labour budgets.
• Respond to operational issues from Sydney Opera House reps.
• Ensure WHS compliance and proper use of equipment and chemicals.
• Maintain accurate records and handovers to management.

Skills

Team Leadership

Operations Planning

Quality Audits

WHS Compliance

Resource Allocation

Client Relationship

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Night Operations Manager - Sydney Opera House

At Quayclean, we are all about people! We are a team of over 5000, responsible for the delivery of cleaning, sustainability management & specialty services throughout Australia.

We are focused on creating real career opportunities for our people and we are crazy about ‘Making our Customers look Great’! Working within some of Australia’s most iconic venues and facilities, Quayclean has experienced exponential growth in recent years. We are committed to continually building a safe and respectful workplace, where all our people feel supported, appreciated and accepted.

Join us today!

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Night Operations Manager to lead our overnight operations at the Sydney Opera House.

Working 11:00pm to 7:30am, you will take ownership of the overnight operation, leading a team of approximately 14–15 people and ensuring this world-renowned venue is presented to an exceptional standard and ready for staff, visitors, performances and events each morning.

This is much more than a traditional cleaning supervisor position.

You will be responsible for coordinating people and resources, managing nightly priorities, monitoring quality and productivity, planning periodical and deep-cleaning activities, responding to operational challenges and working closely with our Sydney Opera House client and the broader Quayclean management team.

It is also a hands‑on leadership role. You'll be visible on the floor, supporting your team and leading from the front when required.

You don't necessarily need to come from the cleaning industry.

We are interested in experienced operational leaders from environments such as major venues, hotels, hospitality, facilities management, housekeeping, events, airports, hospitals, logistics or other complex 24/7 operations.

If you know how to lead people, organise a busy operation, maintain exceptional standards and take ownership of a shift, we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead, motivate and support a team of approximately 14–15 people throughout the overnight shift.
• Take ownership of the nightly operation, setting priorities and allocating people and resources effectively.
• Plan and coordinate nightly cleaning activities to ensure all scheduled work is completed within required timeframes.
• Plan and manage periodical and deep-cleaning programs, ensuring resources are appropriately allocated and work is delivered to standard.
• Conduct regular quality audits and inspections throughout the Sydney Opera House, identifying issues and taking immediate action where required.
• Ensure the venue is presented to an exceptional standard and ready for the following day's operations.
• Coach, develop and provide on-the-job training to team members, building capability and maintaining a high-performing team.
• Monitor productivity, staff hours and resource allocation to ensure services are delivered efficiently and within allocated labour hours.
• Respond confidently and professionally to operational issues and requests from Sydney Opera House representatives.
• Ensure compliance with WHS requirements, safe work practices and Quayclean policies and procedures.
• Oversee the appropriate use of cleaning equipment, machinery, chemicals and other operational resources.
• Maintain accurate operational, quality and inspection records and provide effective handovers to the broader management team.
• Identify opportunities to improve quality, productivity, safety and overall service delivery.
• Support Quayclean and the Sydney Opera House's sustainability objectives, including effective waste separation and recycling practices.

The scope reflects the Night Manager responsibilities in the position description, including people leadership, quality, client service, labour management, reporting and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Bring

We're looking for an experienced operational leader who is comfortable taking ownership and making decisions during an overnight shift.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Previous experience leading a team within a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach and develop others.
• Excellent organisation, planning and resource‑allocation skills.
• Confidence managing competing priorities and solving operational problems as they arise.
• A strong eye for detail and commitment to quality and presentation.
• The ability to build positive relationships with clients, team members and other stakeholders.
• A practical, hands‑on leadership style – you're willing to get involved and support your team when required.
• Strong communication and operational administration skills.
• An understanding of workplace health and safety and the importance of creating a safe working environment.
• Experience within cleaning, facilities management, major venues, hotels, hospitality, housekeeping, events or another 24/7 operational environment will be highly regarded.
• The ability to work permanent overnight shifts and meet the requirements of this full‑time position.
• Current Australian working rights.
• Current Australian Driver’s Licence.
• Current National Police Check, or willingness to obtain one.

The PD also identifies operational leadership, project and resource planning, client relationship management, financial capability, communication and people management as key selection criteria.

Why Join Quayclean?

This is a rare opportunity to take on a meaningful leadership role within one of Australia's most recognised cultural venues, while becoming part of a growing national organisation.

You'll receive:

• Paid onsite car parking
• Ongoing training and career development opportunities
• A supportive team culture with strong state and national leadership engagement
• Thrive Perks – exclusive discounts and cashback across hundreds of popular retailers
• Health By Design – access to health and wellbeing support, including personalised individual health assessments
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential support for mental health, wellbeing and work‑life balance
• The opportunity to build your leadership career within a growing national organisation
• The opportunity to lead a team and make a visible impact within one of Australia's most iconic venues

Ready to Take the Lead?

If you're an experienced operational leader who enjoys working with people, solving problems and taking ownership of delivering exceptional standards, we'd love to hear from you.

You don't need to have spent your career in cleaning. If you've successfully led teams in a demanding operational environment and believe your skills could transfer to this role, we encourage you to apply.

Join Quayclean and help us ensure the Sydney Opera House looks its best, every day.

Quayclean is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from people of all abilities, particularly First Nations Peoples and those who may experience diversity or disability-related barriers in securing employment.