Venue Manager

Wax Wineroom; Geelong; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts

Career progression

Job summary

Wax Wineroom is a neighbourhood wine bar and listening room built around thoughtful wine, great music, and exceptional food. We are seeking an experienced Venue Manager to lead our front-of-house team and oversee day-to-day operations as we launch a new venue from the ground up.

You will partner with ownership and the Head Chef to deliver outstanding hospitality, manage rosters, labour costs, stock, and supplier relationships, and help shape culture and guest experience.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a busy restaurant, wine bar, or premium hospitality venue.
• Passion for wine, food and exceptional hospitality.
• WSET Level 2 Award in Wines (or higher) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operation of the venue, ensuring smooth and efficient service.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop a high-performing front-of-house team.
• Create a positive workplace culture built on professionalism, teamwork, and genuine hospitality.
• Deliver exceptional customer service and ensure every guest enjoys a memorable experience.
• Oversee rostering, labour costs, and daily operational performance.
• Manage stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships for beverages and front-of-house consumables.
• Work closely with the Head Chef to ensure seamless communication between the kitchen and front of house.
• Maintain high standards of presentation, cleanliness, and venue maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with liquor licensing, food safety, WHS, and company policies.
• Analyse sales and operational performance to identify opportunities to improve profitability and efficiency.
• Assist in planning and delivering events, wine tastings, and special activations.

Skills

People management

Leadership

Hospitality

Wine knowledge

Stock management

Labour cost control

Education

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines

Job description

Wax Wineroom is a neighbourhood wine bar/listening room built around thoughtful wine, great music, and exceptional food. Our offering centres on a curated wine list, naturally fermented sourdough pizzas, seasonal share plates, and a carefully curated vinyl soundtrack.

We're looking for an experienced Venue Manager to lead our front-of-house team and oversee the day-to-day operations of the venue. This is an exciting opportunity to join a new business from the ground up, helping establish the culture, systems, and guest experience that will define Wax Wineroom.

You'll work closely with ownership, the Head Chef, and the broader management team to ensure every guest leaves wanting to come back.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the venue, ensuring smooth and efficient service.

• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop a high-performing front-of-house team.

• Create a positive workplace culture built on professionalism, teamwork, and genuine hospitality.

• Deliver exceptional customer service and ensure every guest enjoys a memorable experience.

• Oversee rostering, labour costs, and daily operational performance.

• Manage stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships for beverages and front-of-house consumables.

• Work closely with the Head Chef to ensure seamless communication between the kitchen and front of house.

• Maintain high standards of presentation, cleanliness, and venue maintenance.

• Ensure compliance with liquor licensing, food safety, workplace health and safety, and company policies.

• Analyse sales and operational performance to identify opportunities to improve profitability and efficiency.

• Assist in planning and delivering events, wine tastings, and special activations.

About You

• Previous experience managing a busy restaurant, wine bar, or premium hospitality venue.

• A genuine passion for wine, food, and delivering exceptional hospitality.

• Completed WSET Level 2 Award in Wines (or higher) is preferred.

• A natural leader who can motivate, mentor, and develop a team.

• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to thrive under pressure.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Commercially minded with experience managing labour costs, stock control, and venue performance.

• A hands-on approach and willingness to lead from the floor.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to lead an exciting new venue from day one.

• A supportive ownership group that values ideas, initiative, and professional development.

• Genuine autonomy to build your team and help shape the guest experience.

• Competitive salary based on experience.

• Be apart of a growing group with the opportunity to grow internally within the group.

• Staff discounts and opportunities to grow within a progressive hospitality group.