Venue Manager

Venue Manager — Whitehart Bar

Whitehart isn’t your typical bar — it’s a Melbourne institution built from steel, soul, and creativity. Hidden in the heart of the CBD, Whitehart is an open-air oasis that brings people together through good drinks, good music, and good energy. Born from a converted car park and layered with art, greenery, and sound, Whitehart stands as a celebration of Melbourne’s laneway culture — raw, inventive, and always evolving.

As Venue Manager, you’ll take the lead in driving operations, shaping culture, and keeping the heartbeat of Whitehart strong. This role suits someone who thrives in fast-paced, creative environments and understands that hospitality is about more than service — it’s about connection, community, and atmosphere.

Operational Leadership:
Oversee day-to-day venue operations, ensuring quality, efficiency, and consistency across all aspects of service.

Team Development:
Lead, mentor, and inspire a passionate and diverse team, fostering a culture of professionalism, creativity, and accountability.

Human Resources & People and Culture:
Manage recruitment, onboarding, and training to build a capable and cohesive team.
Champion staff wellbeing, performance appraisals, and professional development.
Ensure compliance with workplace legislation, award conditions, and company policies.

Financial Management:
Work closely with owners to meet revenue and profitability targets through smart rostering, stock control, and planning.

Events & Programming:
Collaborate with artists, promoters, and partners to deliver an exciting calendar of live music, DJ sets, and activations that reflect Whitehart’s spirit.

Marketing & Community Engagement:
Support marketing initiatives and partnerships that build brand presence and deepen Whitehart’s connection with its audience and the wider Melbourne community.

Continuous Improvement:
Identify opportunities to refine systems, elevate guest experience, and drive innovation in drinks, service, and events.

• Proven experience in a senior hospitality management role

• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills

• Sound understanding of venue financials, performance metrics, and forecasting

• Passion for music, culture, and creating memorable guest experiences

• A hands-on, team-first approach with a genuine love for hospitality

• Experience with marketing, events, or creative partnerships

• Strong troubleshooting ability

• Technological literacy, including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel), Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox

• A creative, supportive team culture built on collaboration and respect

• The opportunity to lead one of Melbourne’s most iconic laneway venues

• A chance to play a key role in guiding the next chapter of one of Melbourne’s most distinctive and dynamic venues

• Competitive salary package

• Work-life balance with reasonable working hours and roster flexibility

At Whitehart, we don’t just serve drinks — we create moments. If you’re a natural leader who’s passionate, motivated, business-minded, and detail-oriented, we’d love to hear from you.