About the opportunity

We’re on the lookout for a commercially savvy and influential Business Development Manager to join our team in South East Queenstown (ideally Gold Coast). With a proven ability to open doors, you’ll help shape our growth in one of Australia’s most exciting and fast-evolving food scenes - inheriting a portfolio that includes some of the region’s top restaurants. This role covers Brisbane, the Gold Coast and surrounds, with a key focus on growing our presence in key foodie precincts. You’ll work alongside peers, ensuring strong momentum in the region and sharing insights that help lift performance across the national team. 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, our vision is simple: to be the first place diners go to book a table.

Proudly established in Queenstown, New Zealand - 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.

First Table is a dining discovery platform that connects diners to restaurants through their 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 situation. From early bird offers to last table reservations, 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 across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and surrounds.

Prospect new venues and drive new partner acquisitions in key hospitality precincts

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

Drive user acquisition and retention strategies.

Collaborate with the wider sales and marketing teams to drive performance and support ongoing campaigns

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

38 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 SEQ 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 based in SEQ, ideally the Gold Coast 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

You may also notice that we are recruiting a National Sales Manager. Not sure which role fits?

The BDM is perfect if you want to take full ownership of your patch, build deep local partnerships, whilst growing your career and impact.

The Australian Sales Manager is ideal if you’ve led teams and love being in-market.

We recommend applying for the role that is a best fit for you (we’d prefer you didn’t apply for both)