About the opportunity

We’re on the lookout for a commercially savvy and influential Business Development Manager to join our team in Melbourne. With a proven ability to open doors, you’ll help shape our growth in Melbourne’s fast-moving and vibrant food scene — inheriting a portfolio that includes some of the city’s best restaurants. This role covers everything north of the Yarra, with the south already managed by our existing BDM. You’ll own key foodie hubs like Richmond, Carlton, Collingwood, Williamstown, and Yarraville — just to name a few — and also oversee our Adelaide network. This role is a work-from-home position and will require face-to-face interaction with restaurants multiple days per week.

About us

At First Table, we’re on a mission to unite restaurants and food lovers worldwide. Proudly established in Queenstown - where our head office is based - we've been leading the charge in the hospitality tech industry for over a decade, with operations spanning New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. We're not just a "deals website" or another booking app; we're a platform that fosters restaurant discovery and connects people over their shared love of food.

Through our clever tech, we help restaurants get their night off to a great start and give diners a compelling reason to try somewhere new. It’s a win-win. From full-price reservations to early bird offers, we make discovering and booking great dining experiences fast, easy, and rewarding.

About the role

Embark on an exhilarating adventure with First Table in Melbourne, collaborating closely with our dedicated team. As a Business Development Manager for Melbourne, your mission will be to use your commercial acumen, local knowledge and exceptional relationship-building skills to bridge the gap between restaurants and culinary enthusiasts via our pioneering platform. This role is tailor-made for individuals who thrive on networking, embrace challenges with open arms, and value the essence of teamwork.

What you’ll be doing

Implement a sales strategy for your region that aligns with the company's objectives.

Forge long-lasting relationships with restaurants in Melbourne and Adelaide.

Maintain an in-depth understanding of market trends and competitors, using this knowledge to identify new opportunities.

Drive user acquisition and retention strategies.

Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams.

What you’ll bring

Demonstrated success in a Business Development or Account Management role, ideally within hospitality.

Excellent relationship-building, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

An ability to independently generate new opportunities is key, whilst a strong network within the hospitality industry is a massive plus.While you don’t need to have worked in our exact space, you’re confident pitching value in a high-autonomy, fast-paced environment.

Natural persuasive skills, turning curiosity into action, from the first cold call to a lasting partnership.

Self-starting and a commercial mindset to thrive in an autonomous environment with the ability to spot opportunities a and go after them.

Motivated by impact, ownership and connection - not just commission.

Why you’ll love working with us

40 hours per week (full-time)

Thoughtful compensation structure that recognises experience and rewards performance (base salary + commissions = OTE $110-$120k), plus travel allowance, laptop and phone

Flexible working hours and the autonomy to manage your own schedule

Work from home with regular face-to-face restaurant prospecting.

Hit the ground running with an existing client base and the freedom to shape and grow your market, guided by achievable KPIs and goals

Free First Table bookings as a team perk

The opportunity to be part of a passionate and supportive team, working closely with our Melbourne rep and AU/NZ team who will visit you regularly

Head Office based in Queenstown, NZ with opportunities to connect in person at our annual sales conference

Opportunities for internal and external professional development

A great company culture where no day is ever dull - we’re a close-knit, food loving team proud to be part of an award-winning global brand

What are the next steps?

Are you ready to take on this exciting challenge as our Melbourne-based BDM? Please submit your application, including your resume and tailored cover letter, via the Apply Now link. Cover letters provide valuable insights for our Hiring Managers, so let us know what excites you about this opportunity, and how your experience (even if it’s not a perfect match) makes you the right person for the role. We’ll be reviewing and progressing applications as they come in, so don’t wait to submit your application. We reserve the right to end the application process at any time.

Things to keep in mind:

Applications with no cover letter will not be considered for this role

Applicants must already be Melbourne-based to be considered for this role

Applicants for this position must have pre-existing rights to work in Australia

Only applicants who have been shortlisted will be contacted