About the role

Reporting to the General Manager, this is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Venue Manager to join the dynamic team at Ishizuka, a renowned Japanese restaurant located in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. As Venue Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the restaurant's daily operations, ensuring exceptional customer service and a seamless dining experience for our guests. This full-time role offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, vibrant environment and contribute to the continued success of this acclaimed establishment.

What you'll be doing

Operational Oversight

Monitor day-to day operations to ensure consistency, efficiency, and high standards.

Managing bookings, events and venue schedules.

Evaluate performance and identify improvement potentials

Staff Management

Hiring, training, and supervising senior staff

Set performance targets and conduct evaluations under GM's guideline.

Foster a strong leadership culture and support professional development of teams.

Financial accountability

Create and manage budgets for each venue under GM's guidelines.

Monitor financial performance (e.g., revenue, costs, profit margins)

Analyze financial reports and implement strategies to maximize profitability

Strategic planning & growth

Identify opportunities for business growth or new venue acquisition.

Coordinate marketing and promotional strategies across venues.

Align multi-site operations with overall company goals.

Promoting events or specials via social media

Collaborating with PR to attract business

Client & stakeholder relations

Ensure excellent customer service and experience across all venues

Build relationships with key partners, suppliers and stakeholders.

Handle major issues

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure each venue complies with Australian laws and regulations.

What we're looking for

The right candidate will have:

Minimum 3–5 years experience in a venue or multi-site management role, ideally within fine dining or luxury hospitality.

Strong knowledge of front-of-house operations, guest relations, and event coordination.

Solid understanding of wine and sake, including food pairings and premium service standards.

A commercial mindset with experience in budgeting, financial analysis, and cost control strategies.

Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills — able to inspire and guide high-performing teams across multiple venues.

Excellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Familiarity with reservations systems, rostering tools, POS, and hospitality management software.

Working knowledge of licensing, compliance, and health & safety regulations in Australia.

Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required.

A genuine passion for hospitality, attention to detail, and delivering world-class service.

What we offer

At Ishizuka, we are committed to cultivating a workplace that values excellence, creativity, and genuine hospitality. As a Venue Manager, you will be joining a team that is passionate about delivering refined, authentic experiences rooted in Japanese tradition and contemporary elegance.

We offer:

A leadership role within Melbourne’s most distinctive dining venue, celebrated for their craftsmanship, precision, and service excellence.

A healthy work-life balance with a structured roster and no late-night operating hours, allowing you to thrive both professionally and personally.

Opportunities for career growth and long-term development, including involvement in new projects and venue expansions.

A collaborative environment where your leadership and ideas are valued and supported.

Ongoing training and upskilling opportunities, including development in wine, sake, and hospitality leadership.

Competitive salary package commensurate with experience and performance.

Staff dining benefits and access to exclusive industry events and tastings.

A supportive, high-performing team culture built on respect, integrity, and shared passion for excellence.

About us

Ishizuka is a hidden gem in Melbourne’s CBD, offering an intimate and refined Kaiseki dining experience. Awarded Three Glasses by Australia’s Wine List of the Year, it is a destination for precision, seasonality, and elegance.

It is designed by award-winning studio Russell & George, and together represent a unique blend of Japanese tradition and contemporary Melbourne dining culture.

Apply now for this exciting opportunity to become the Venue Manager and email your CV to Melanie Zhang: [email protected]