Venue Manager - HMAS Cairns

The Navy's Anchorage; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Navy’s Anchorage operates cafés on Royal Australian Navy bases nationwide, delivering hospitality, welfare and lifestyle services to Navy personnel. We are seeking a hands-on Venue Manager to lead our team at HMAS Cairns QLD, overseeing staffing, service quality and financial performance.

Join a purpose-driven, defence-focused non-profit and help maintain high standards, safety compliance and customer experience across a busy café environment while developing opportunities across multiple

Qualifications

• Hands-on venue management experience in hospitality.
• Ability to lead from the front and supervise across service areas.
• Proven track record in staff rostering, supervision and performance management.
• Strong customer experience focus and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and mentor café team to high performance and culture.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training and performance for staff up to Assistant Manager.
• Run regular team meetings and set clear performance expectations.
• Create and manage rosters effectively, balancing service needs with labour cost efficiency.
• Ensure guests have a welcoming, consistent experience.
• Handle customer feedback, complaints and special requests.
• Oversee daily operations: service delivery, stock, cleaning and presentation.
• Coordinate with kitchen and FOH to ensure seamless operations.
• Monitor sales, labour costs and venue profitability.
• Drive revenue via service, product knowledge, events and upselling.
• Manage budgets, costs and stock ordering.
• Partner with Regional Manager to hit financial and operational targets.
• Coordinate and execute venue events with kitchen/FOH.
• Liaise with Defence stakeholders and senior management.
• Ensure venue health, safety, food handling and security compliance.
• Conduct safety checks and maintain incident records.
• Uphold company standards and Defence base requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Proactivity

Organisation

Financial awareness

Roster management

Sales & events

Customer service

Staff development

Problem solving

Job description

The Navy’s Anchorage is a non‑profit organisation proudly operating cafés on Royal Australian Navy bases across Australia. Our mission is simple but powerful: to deliver exceptional hospitality, welfare and lifestyle services to Navy personnel nationwide.

We are passionate about people, purpose-driven in our work, and committed to creating warm, community-focused café environments on every base we operate.

ABOUT US

The Navy’s Anchorage is a non‑profit organisation proudly operating cafés on Royal Australian Navy bases across Australia. Our mission is simple but powerful: to deliver exceptional hospitality, welfare and lifestyle services to Navy personnel nationwide.

We are passionate about people, purpose-driven in our work, and committed to creating warm, community-focused café environments on every base we operate.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a hands‑on Venue Manager to lead our team at HMAS Cairns QLD.

This role is full‑time and suited to someone who thrives in both management and operational responsibilities. You will lead from the front—working alongside your team on the café floor while also overseeing staffing, service quality, financial performance, risk, compliance and stakeholder relationships.

As the Venue Manager, you are the heartbeat of the venue: driving standards, supporting your team, ensuring seamless service, and cultivating a welcoming, professional environment for Navy members and guests.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, motivate and mentor the café team to ensure high performance and strong team culture.

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training and performance for all staff up to Assistant Manager level.

• Run regular team meetings and set clear performance expectations.

• Create and manage rosters effectively, balancing service needs with labour cost efficiency.

Customer Experience

• Ensure every guest enjoys an exceptional, welcoming and consistent experience.

• Confidently manage customer feedback, complaints or special requests.

• Identify opportunities to elevate service and implement improvements.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee daily café operations, including service delivery, stock control, cleaning and presentation.

• Work across all stations daily to support the team (barista, pass, service, etc.).

• Ensure processes and systems are followed and understood by all staff.

• Coordinate with kitchen and front‑of‑house teams to maintain seamless operations.

Financial & Business Management

• Monitor and analyse sales, labour costs and venue profitability.

• Drive revenue through strong service, product knowledge, events and upselling.

• Manage budgets, control costs and ensure efficient ordering and stock management.

• Partner with the Regional Manager to set and achieve financial and operational targets.

Events & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build sales through proactive event coordination and relationship management.

• Execute venue events in collaboration with kitchen and FOH teams.

• Liaise professionally with Defence stakeholders and senior management.

Risk, Compliance & Safety

• Ensure venue compliance with health, safety, food handling and security requirements.

• Conduct regular safety checks, maintain incident records and oversee corrective actions.

• Uphold company standards and Defence base requirements at all times.

ABOUT YOU

You’re someone who gets the job done — whether it’s by rolling up your sleeves or inspiring your team to deliver their best. You thrive in a fast‑paced, customer‑focused environment and pride yourself on maintaining composure, professionalism and positivity under pressure.

You understand café operations, know how to identify problems early, and act quickly to resolve them. You’re proactive, organised and naturally driven to achieve strong results.

You build genuine rapport with people, motivate teams, and create environments where staff feel supported and guests feel valued.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Experience in cooking, barista work, labour management and stakeholder engagement

• Strong leadership and communication skills

• A proactive, adaptable and “can‑do” attitude

• Ability to build sales and drive events

• High attention to detail and strong organisational ability

• Financial awareness, including rostering, cost control and revenue management

• Current driver’s licence

• Flexibility to travel interstate for training, meetings or venue support when required

• Physical ability to work in a fast‑paced hospitality environment

Please Note: Due to Defence security requirements, you must be an Australian Citizen and be able to obtain a Baseline Security Clearance (paid for by us).

WHY JOIN US?

• Purpose‑driven organisation supporting Royal Australian Navy welfare

• Supportive leadership team and strong operational systems

• Opportunities for growth across multiple bases nationwide

• Meaningful work – where what you do directly impacts the wellbeing of Defence members

• Strong people‑first culture and stable full‑time employment