Venue Manager – Weddings, Events & Accommodation

Hilltop Estate; Wongawallan; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hilltop Estate in the Gold Coast Hinterland is seeking an experienced Venue Manager to run weddings, events and accommodation operations. This hands-on role requires organisation, initiative and a focus on building a profitable, sustainable venue through strong client, staff and supplier relationships.

You will manage enquiries, coordinate bookings, supervise staff, optimise pricing, use Xero, and drive marketing to generate genuine enquiries and bookings.

Qualifications

• Previous relevant management experience is essential.
• Backgrounds may include: wedding or event venue management; hospitality or restaurant management; functions and events.
• Hotels, resorts or accommodation experience is valued.
• Strong commercial awareness and profitability focus.

Responsibilities

• Manage wedding and event enquiries, tours, client communication, quotations and bookings.
• Guide couples from initial enquiry through planning and event delivery.
• Coordinate upcoming weddings and events.
• Prepare event orders, run sheets, floor plans and supplier requirements.
• Coordinate caterers, photographers, DJs, stylists, florists and other suppliers.
• Recruit, roster and manage casual event and bar staff.
• Oversee event setup, venue presentation, guest experience and pack-down.
• Manage food and beverage requirements and bar operations.
• Coordinate cleaners, linen, waste, maintenance and general venue presentation.
• Build and maintain reliable relationships with suppliers and contractors.
• Take responsibility for accommodation operations, including Airbnb, Booking.com and/or direct bookings.
• Review accommodation pricing, costs, occupancy and profitability.
• Manage and grow the venue’s social media presence.
• Assist with marketing initiatives designed to generate genuine enquiries and bookings.
• Monitor client payments and event-related costs.
• Use Xero and other business systems to assist with financial oversight and reporting.
• Provide ownership with clear reporting on bookings, revenue, costs and operational performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, efficiency and the overall guest experience.
• Develop and improve systems, procedures and operational checklists as the business grows.

Skills

Venue management

Event management

Hospitality management

Commercial acumen

Staff leadership

Client relationship building

Budgeting

Tools

Xero

Job description

Venue Manager - Weddings, Events & Accommodation

We are seeking an experienced, commercially minded Venue Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day operations of a wedding, events and accommodation venue in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

This is a hands-on management role for someone who is highly organised, takes initiative and is comfortable being responsible for making things happen.

We are not simply looking for an event coordinator. We are looking for someone who can manage the venue as a business, build strong relationships with clients, staff and suppliers, improve our systems, identify new revenue opportunities and help develop the venue into a sustainable and profitable operation.

Key responsibilities

• Manage wedding and event enquiries, venue tours, client communication, quotations and bookings
• Guide couples from initial enquiry through planning and event delivery
• Coordinate upcoming weddings and events
• Prepare and maintain event orders, run sheets, floor plans and supplier requirements
• Coordinate caterers, chefs, celebrants, photographers, DJs, stylists, florists and other suppliers
• Recruit, roster and manage casual event and bar staff
• Oversee event setup, venue presentation, guest experience and pack-down
• Manage food and beverage requirements and bar operations
• Coordinate cleaners, linen, waste, maintenance and general venue presentation
• Build and maintain reliable relationships with suppliers and contractors
• Take responsibility for accommodation operations, including Airbnb, Booking.com and/or direct bookings
• Work with cleaners to ensure accommodation can operate efficiently between bookings
• Review accommodation pricing, costs, occupancy and profitability
• Manage and grow the venue’s social media presence
• Assist with marketing initiatives designed to generate genuine enquiries and bookings
• Monitor client payments and event-related costs
• Use Xero and other business systems to assist with financial oversight and reporting
• Provide ownership with clear reporting on bookings, revenue, costs and operational performance
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, efficiency and the overall guest experience
• Develop and improve systems, procedures and operational checklists as the business grows

Commercial focus

This is a commercial management position. Delivering an excellent client and guest experience is important, but so is ensuring the venue operates as a financially sustainable business.

You will be expected to develop a strong understanding of revenue, expenses, staffing costs and margins, and make recommendations based on commercial outcomes.

This may include reviewing wedding packages, supplier costs, accommodation opportunities, pricing, staffing requirements and other potential revenue streams.

You do not need to be an accountant, however you must be comfortable working with numbers and understanding whether an area of the business is generating a worthwhile return.

About you

Previous relevant management experience is essential.

Suitable backgrounds may include:

• Wedding or event venue management
• Hospitality or restaurant management
• Functions and events
• Hotels, resorts or accommodation
• Tourism or guest-focused operations
• Another comparable operational management role

We are looking for someone who:

• Takes initiative and does not need to be constantly directed
• Is confident making day-to-day operational decisions
• Is commercially minded and understands the importance of profitability
• Can manage multiple bookings and priorities simultaneously
• Builds strong relationships with staff, clients and suppliers
• Communicates professionally and confidently
• Is organised, reliable and accountable
• Can identify a problem and work out how to solve it
• Is comfortable managing both people and administration
• Understands that venue management involves practical, hands-on work as well as office work
• Is confident using Xero or able to become proficient with it
• Is comfortable using social media for business and understands its role in generating enquiries and bookings

A current RSA, driver's licence and reliable transport are required.

Hours

As a wedding and events venue, weekend and occasional evening work will form part of the role.

Working hours will vary around the venue’s event and accommodation calendar, with greater flexibility during quieter periods.

The Venue Manager will normally be the senior operational person responsible for ensuring weddings and major events are properly staffed, organised and delivered.

Remuneration & growth

$70,000-$90,000 + super, depending on experience.

A performance incentive structure will also form part of the role, linked to agreed commercial and operational outcomes.

We want the successful person to benefit from helping grow the business. As the venue becomes more successful and the responsibilities of the position grow, there will also be an opportunity for remuneration and the scope of the role to develop.

What we offer

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of a unique venue and have a meaningful influence over how the business develops.

You will work directly with ownership while having significant autonomy over the venue’s day-to-day operation.

We are looking for somebody who wants to build something, establish strong systems and relationships, improve commercial performance and make the operation their own rather than simply maintain the status quo.