Our Company

Coral Expeditions is Australia’s pioneering cruise line. We specialise in a unique style of immersive adventures by small expedition ship. With humble beginnings hosting cruises on the Great Barrier Reef, the company has grown into a borderless fleet of three ships carrying between 72 and 120 guests. For four decades, Coral Expeditions has operated with a single purpose – to take small groups of likeminded explorers to remote places with expert guidance and warm Australian hospitality. We offer a wide range of domestic and international destinations. Coral Expeditions is wholly owned by the NRMA and joins a connected family of companies including NRMA Parks and Resorts, NRMA Roadside Assist, NRMA Marine and Ferries as well as SIXT Car Rentals.

Are you a passionate Chef with a flair for leadership, team development, and kitchen operations—but ready to step beyond the stove and into a more strategic role?

We’re looking for an ambitious Chef Leader who’s eager to combine their culinary talent with business acumen in an office-based setting. This unique opportunity allows you to drive culinary excellence, lead recruitment efforts, and oversee a skilled kitchen brigade—all while playing a key role in shaping the future of our food programs.

Our Role
As the Culinary Operations Executive, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing and enhancing the hotel, culinary operations across our entire cruise line. You will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to ensure consistent delivery of exceptional dining experiences onboard all our ships. This role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a passion for elevating guest satisfaction through innovative culinary offerings and service excellence. This position is based in our head office in Cairns.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead and mentor a high-performing kitchen brigade
• Oversee kitchen operations and ensure top-quality culinary standards
• Collaborate with senior management on menu innovation and kitchen strategy
• Take charge of recruiting top culinary talent, conducting interviews
• Support training, development, and retention initiatives across kitchen teams
• Be the bridge between kitchen creativity and corporate planning

What we can offer you

• Career growth in a progressive and expanding Australian company who lead the way in expedition travel.
• The opportunity to work and travel to amazing destinations with inspiring products.
• Competitive annual salary: $80k + Superannuation

This position is open to candidates based in Australia who hold Australian residency due to the nature of our business, with substantial Australian work experience.

As we screen all applicants and select candidates whose qualifications and experience meet our needs, we will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you if you are selected to continue in the recruitment process. We wish you every success!

What we are looking for

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef
• Strong leadership and organizational skills
• Passion for mentoring and building successful teams
• A keen eye for talent and a drive to recruit the best
• Excellent communication and administrative abilities (Microsoft Excel)
• Desire to grow within a company and shape its culinary direction