Venue Manager

Venue Manager – The Keys, Preston

At The Keys, every part of our venue has been built with intention. From the way the space flows to the atmosphere we’ve created, everything is designed to make people feel comfortable, excited, and inspired to stay. It’s about more than food and drinks, it’s about creating an experience that feels effortless, personal, and memorable. That same care extends to how we run the place: we care deeply about our customers, our team, and the culture we’re building.

As an independent venue, everything we do is hands-on and personal. We’re not chasing corporate checklists, our focus is on making sure every guest has a great time, and every staff member feels part of something real. That’s why we’re looking for a leader who shares that mindset: someone who understands that customer experience isn’t just important, it’s everything. Someone who can unite a team, back them in tough moments, and bring out their best so our service stays sharp and our culture stays strong. This is the kind of role where your presence matters, where you’ll feel your impact every day, and where the work is fast, fun, and challenging, but the rewards are real.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Culture: Build, develop, and inspire a positive and resilient team culture.
• Service Standards: Uphold consistent guest experience across all operations.
• Team Oversight: Manage and support the Bar Manager, Head Chef, Functions Manager, Duty Managers, and Supervisors.
• Rostering & KPI Management: Deliver effective scheduling, control wage costs, and ensure KPI targets are achieved.
• Training & Development: Lead onboarding, training, and staff development programs.
• Operational Management: Troubleshoot and resolve issues across POS, AV, arcade, kitchen, and venue systems in real time. 
• Guest Relations: Handle escalated customer complaints and ensure the highest level of service recovery.
• Hands-On Service: Lead from the floor with a strong presence during peak service periods, including weekends.

About You

• Proven experience in a similar leadership role within hospitality or large-scale venues.
• Strong people management skills, with the ability to inspire confidence in staff and guests alike.
• Confident in your team’s ability to run services independently, thanks to the training and customer-first culture you’ve instilled.
• Able to perform under pressure and manage high-volume service environments.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the confidence to make real-time decisions.
• Professional, resilient, and comfortable leading diverse teams and large events.
• Committed to longevity and growth within the role.

Why Join Us?

• A rare opportunity to manage one of Melbourne’s most dynamic hospitality and entertainment venues.
• Be part of a supportive leadership team with a strong focus on workplace culture and the guest experience growth.
• Competitive remuneration ($90,000 - $120,000) and the chance to make your mark.
• Independently owned and operated, with owners who put customer experience and staff culture above everything else.
• Believe in work life balance having your days off and holidays etc, we have the support and structure around having a proper work life balance. 
• Support of a full management team, of function and bar manager, Shift managers. Etc 

Apply now to join The Keys leadership team and help us continue to deliver outstanding service, memorable experiences, and a thriving workplace culture.