Job Summary:

Pholklore is seeking a highly experienced, independent, and commercially minded hospitality professional to lead our Lorne venue as Venue Manager.

This is a senior leadership role suited to someone with proven experience operating high-performing hospitality venues. We are looking for a leader who will take genuine ownership of the venue, build a strong team culture, and help drive operational, financial, and cultural success.

The successful candidate will embrace the Pholklore way of doing things—learning our systems, aligning with our values, and contributing positively to our team mentality—while also bringing their own leadership style, energy, and initiative to the role.

You will operate as an extension of ownership within the business, taking pride in all aspects of the venue and understanding that strong leadership extends beyond hospitality service to include people, systems, presentation, financial performance, workplace safety, and overall guest experience.

This is a hands-on leadership role. We are looking for someone who enjoys being present in the operation, leading from the front, and working alongside the team during service. The role requires someone equally comfortable running a busy floor as they are managing recruitment, administration, budgeting, compliance, and venue maintenance.

Please note that this is an operational role that involves extended periods of standing and walking throughout service, as well as occasional manual handling and heavy lifting. A current and unrestricted Australian Driver Licence is required, as travel between venues and supplier collections may occasionally be necessary.

Just as importantly, we are looking for someone who genuinely appreciates the Lorne lifestyle and is excited to become part of the local community. Due to the seasonal nature of the location, the Venue Manager may be required to work across other Pholklore venues during quieter trading periods, including throughout winter.


About the Role

You will be responsible for all aspects of the venue’s operation, including:

• Leading, mentoring, and developing the team

• Recruiting, onboarding, and training staff

• Driving exceptional service standards and guest experiences

• Managing budgets, labour performance, and wage costs

• Maintaining venue presentation, cleanliness, and atmosphere

• Overseeing ordering, stock control, and supplier relationships

• Managing workplace safety, compliance, and operational risk

• Upholding Pholklore’s systems, standards, and team culture

• Working closely with Directors and senior leadership to achieve business objectives

About You

To be successful in this role, you will:

• Have extensive experience in a Venue Manager or senior hospitality leadership role

• Be capable of independently running a high-volume venue

• Be highly organised, proactive, and solutions-focused

• Have strong financial awareness and experience managing budgets and labour performance

• Thrive in a hands-on environment and remain visible during service

• Have strong recruitment, coaching, and people development skills

• Be comfortable working within structured systems and high-performance environments

• Have a genuine appreciation for the Lorne lifestyle and community

Digital & Operational Systems

Digital competency is essential. The successful candidate must be confident using hospitality systems including:

• Tanda: Rostering, attendance, labour management, and HR processes

• Me&U: Digital ordering, menu management, and CRM

• Triniteq POS: Point of sale operations

• Restoke / Restock: Ordering, stock management, and invoicing

• Google Workspace: Reporting, communication, and administration

What Success Looks Like

• A well-run venue that consistently delivers exceptional guest experiences

• A stable and accountable team culture with high engagement

• Strong labour, wage, and budget management

• A venue that is clean, compliant, and operationally organised

• Consistent execution of Pholklore systems and values

• Positive contribution to the wider leadership team and business performance

What We Offer

• Salary package of $80,000 – $100,000 + Superannuation (based on experience)

• Opportunity to lead within a growing hospitality group

• Strong systems, operational support, and leadership development

• Career progression opportunities across multiple venues

• A fast-paced, community-focused work environment

If you are an experienced leader looking to take genuine ownership within a growing business and vibrant coastal community, we would love to hear from you.