Host Manager

RGIT Australia; Wellington; On-site; NZD 91,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted stays across Drifter.

Staff discounts on brands (e.g., JB Hi

Online learning opportunities

Paid birthday leave

Volunteer day each year

Enhanced parental leave

Wellbeing support via EAP

Visa support for exceptional hires

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Drifter Wellington is opening a new property in December 2026 and seeks a Host Manager to lead the pre-opening team, recruit and develop staff, and set standards for guest experiences from day one.

You will manage a host team, ensure seamless guest arrivals and departures, and collaborate with the General Manager and heads of departments to run a smooth operation.

Qualifications

• Must be a hospitality leader who can coach and develop a team.
• Experience leading guest services, reception or host teams in hostel/hospitality environments.
• Ability to manage rosters, labour, and day-to-day operations while driving guest satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach the Host team to deliver high-energy, welcoming guest experiences.
• Oversee front office and night operations, resolving escalated guest issues on the spot.
• Recruit, onboard and train new team members; build rosters that balance business needs and team well-being.
• Monitor labour costs, revenue opportunities, and departmental performance to improve outcomes.
• Collaborate with Housekeeping, F&B and Maintenance to ensure seamless operations.

Skills

Hospitality leadership

Staff coaching

Guest experience

Roster management

Labour cost awareness

Problem solving

Revenue opportunities

Job description

Wellington 6011, New Zealand A$75,000 - A$85,000

Full-time Permanent Mid-level Senior

Posted 24 Aug 2026

Description

Drifter is built for curious travellers, free spirits, and people who care about great spaces and great experiences. We run hostels and hybrid stays across Australia and New Zealand, alongside food and beverage venues that bring people together and give our properties their edge. The kind of places people remember, not just pass through.

We're opening our newest property in Wellington in December 2026, and we're building the entire leadership team from the ground up.

We're looking for a Host Manager to join that team and help bring the property to life. This is a rare chance to join before opening, help bring a new property to life, build your own team, and help create the culture, standards and ways of working from day one.

The opportunity

The Host team is often the first and last interaction guests have with Drifter, so this role matters. A lot.

As our Host Manager, you'll lead a team that sets the tone for the entire guest experience. From seamless arrivals and departures to solving problems, building connections and creating a welcoming atmosphere, you'll make sure every guest feels looked after from the moment they walk through the door.

You'll also be a key member of the leadership team, working closely with the General Manager and other Heads of Department to make sure the whole operation runs smoothly.

Starting in early November 2026, you'll have the opportunity to come in before opening, recruit and develop your team, and help set the standards for the guest experience from day one.

What it looks like day to day:

• Leading, coaching and supporting the Host team
• Creating a welcoming, high-energy environment for guests and team members
• Managing front office and night operations
• Handling escalated guest issues and finding practical solutions
• Recruiting, onboarding and training new team members
• Building rosters that work for both the business and the team
• Monitoring labour costs, revenue opportunities and departmental performance
• Looking for ways to improve the guest experience and operational efficiency
• Working closely with Housekeeping, F&B and Maintenance to keep the property running seamlessly
• Helping establish processes, standards and ways of working as part of the pre-opening journey

You’ll be a good fit if…

You're a hospitality leader who loves being part of the action. You know how to lead a team without standing on the sidelines, and you're just as comfortable jumping on reception during a busy check-in as you are coaching performance or reviewing labour costs.

You build strong teams, create great guest experiences, and know how to keep things running smoothly when the pace picks up.

You’ll likely bring:

• Experience leading a guest services, reception or host team within a hostel, lifestyle accommodation, tourism or experience-led hospitality environment
• Strong people leadership skills, including coaching, recruitment and performance management
• Experience managing rosters, labour and day-to-day operations
• Confidence handling guest issues and making decisions on the spot
• A good understanding of revenue opportunities, upselling and driving commercial results
• A hands-on approach and willingness to jump in wherever needed
• The ability to build team culture while maintaining high standards and accountability

What you can expect at Drifter

You'll be part of a team that cares about doing good work without overcomplicating things. We back our people, give you space to lead, and make sure there's support where it counts.

Alongside that, you’ll have:

• Discounted stays across Drifter properties for you, your family and your travel crew
• Discounts on brands you actually use, including JB Hi-Fi, Uber Eats and more
• Access to online learning and development opportunities
• Paid birthday leave for permanent team members
• A paid volunteering day each year to support a cause that matters to you
• Enhanced parental leave
• Free counselling and wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Program
• Visa support available for exceptional people looking to build a long-term career with Drifter
• Opportunities to grow with the business as we continue to expand across Australia and New Zealand

Drifter is collaborative, practical and values-led. Professional but not stuffy, we're a welcoming and inclusive workplace and proudly welcome team members from all races, places, gender expressions and beliefs.

If the idea of opening a brand new property, building your own team and shaping the guest experience from day one sounds like your kind of challenge, we'd love to hear from you.