Venue Manager | Lucia Roche Estate | Hunter Valley

Lead the Guest Experience at One of the Hunter Valley’s Most Exciting Dining, Wine & Cocktail Destinations

Lucia Roche Estate is a premium dining and hospitality destination where exceptional food, estate wines, handcrafted cocktails and genuine hospitality come together in the heart of the Hunter Valley.

Built around our philosophy of Gather. Share. Linger., Lucia Roche Estate offers an elevated yet relaxed experience centred on stone-fired cooking, Mediterranean-inspired share plates, premium beverages and memorable hospitality.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Venue Manager to lead daily venue operations, oversee liquor licence compliance, and drive exceptional guest experiences across our restaurant, bar and event operations.

Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, this role offers the opportunity to shape the culture, service standards and beverage program of a growing destination venue.

The Opportunity

As Venue Manager, you will be the senior operational leader on site, responsible for all front-of-house, beverage and guest experience operations.

You will bring a strong background in premium hospitality, beverage service and cocktail-led venues, with the ability to inspire teams, drive commercial performance and create memorable guest experiences.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a hospitality professional who understands that exceptional service, premium beverages and genuine hospitality are the foundations of a successful venue.

Key Responsibilities

Venue Leadership & Operations

·         Lead all day-to-day venue operations

·         Deliver exceptional guest experiences and service standards

·         Drive a positive, professional and hospitality-focused culture

·         Oversee restaurant, bar and event operations

·         Manage venue presentation and operational excellence

·         Work closely with the Head Chef to ensure seamless service delivery

·         Maintain high standards across all guest touchpoints

Beverage & Bar Leadership

·         Oversee all bar operations and beverage service standards

·         Lead the execution of a premium cocktail and beverage program

·         Drive excellence in wine service and guest engagement

·         Train and mentor bar and floor staff in beverage knowledge and upselling

·         Ensure consistency, quality and presentation across all cocktails and beverages

·         Manage beverage inventory, stock control and supplier relationships

·         Monitor beverage costs, GP targets and stocktake performance

·         Support the development of seasonal cocktails and beverage offerings

·         Create a culture of beverage excellence throughout the venue

Liquor Licence & Compliance

·         Act as the venue’s nominated manager responsible for liquor licence compliance

·         Ensure compliance with NSW Liquor & Gaming regulations

·         Maintain RSA compliance and responsible service practices

·         Manage incident reporting and regulatory obligations

·         Ensure compliance with WHS, food safety and venue policies

·         Lead compliance training and operational best practice

Financial & Commercial Performance

·         Manage labour budgets and roster efficiency

·         Monitor venue performance and profitability

·         Drive beverage and food revenue growth

·         Assist with budgeting, forecasting and reporting

·         Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and guest satisfaction

·         Deliver agreed financial and operational KPIs

Team Leadership

·         Recruit, train and develop high-performing hospitality professionals

·         Lead, coach and mentor front-of-house and bar teams

·         Conduct performance reviews and ongoing development programs

·         Foster a collaborative culture between front and back of house

·         Lead by example during service periods

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

·         Proven experience as a Venue Manager, Restaurant Manager, General Manager or Operations Manager within a premium hospitality environment

·         Strong bar management experience and a genuine passion for premium cocktails, wine and beverage service

·         Demonstrated success leading beverage-focused venues, cocktail bars, premium restaurants, boutique hotels or destination hospitality venues

·         Current NSW RSA certification

·         Strong understanding of NSW liquor licensing and compliance requirements

·         Experience managing labour costs, rosters and venue profitability

·         Exceptional leadership and people management skills

·         Outstanding communication and guest engagement abilities

·         Strong commercial and operational acumen

·         Passion for hospitality, food, wine and creating memorable experiences

Highly Regarded

·         Experience in wineries, premium restaurants, resorts or boutique hotels

·         WSET qualifications or advanced wine knowledge

·         Experience developing cocktail lists and beverage programs

·         Strong understanding of premium spirits and contemporary cocktail trends

·         Event and function management experience

·         Knowledge of the Hunter Valley tourism and hospitality market

What We Offer

·         Competitive salary package plus superannuation

·         Performance-based incentives

·         Opportunity to lead a premium hospitality destination

·         Career development opportunities within a growing hospitality group

·         Work with premium food, wine and beverage offerings

·         Supportive leadership and ownership team

·         Stunning Hunter Valley estate environment

·         The opportunity to make a genuine impact on a growing brand

Reporting Structure

This position reports directly to the Operations Manager and works closely with the Head Chef to deliver exceptional guest experiences, strong team culture, regulatory compliance and commercial performance.

Apply Now

If you are a passionate hospitality leader with a strong beverage background, exceptional operational skills and a desire to create unforgettable guest experiences, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your hospitality leadership experience and what excites you about joining Lucia Roche Estate.

Lucia Roche Estate Gather. Share. Linger.