General Manager

Kittyhawk, New York!

Party bar. Constant vibe. High energy.

Sydney, CBD

Kittyhawk is an established bar, restaurant and event space in Sydney’s CBD, and after 9 years we recently revamped our venue with a new concept.

Kittyhawk was established in 2016 as a french cocktail bar and restaurant but we have undergone an evolution earlier this year into a live entertainment venue with an new Italian food offering. Taking inspiration from our popular sister venue, Big Poppa’s, we have now dedicated the space to all things fun and delicious.

We are looking for an experienced General Manager to lead and oversee the operations of our new evolution: Kittyhawk, New York!

This is a very exciting time for our company, and we are looking for someone who can help us carry this idea forward and grow the Kittyhawk, New York brand to exceptional heights, making us a ‘go to’ place for fun in the Sydney CBD.

About us:

Kittyhawk, New York is an ode to all things New York, and what makes it one of the most energetic and vibrant cities in the world.

Our main focus is around high-energy fun, and we aim to bring Sydney one hell of a good time!

We have a strong focus on music and DJ-curated experiences, think Hip Hop, Funk, Soul and Disco. We are bringing more groove back to Sydney’s CBD with a constant vibe from open to close.

Our beverage program is top notch, with a 12m bar and 900 bottle back bar that is designed to pump cocktails out all night long. We have a modern-Italian food offering, full of all your favourite pasta dishes by an exceptional team of chefs. We also have an amazing wine list curated by our in house Somm, with over 150 wines on offer.

The venue has a capacity of 350pax, and is spread over two levels. Our upstairs level is a private event space we call The Officer’s Mess. This level sees everything from weddings and social events to large corporate mixers. We have a dedicated Events team that focus on selling this space and creating exceptional experiences for our guests.

Kittyhawk, New York currently operates Tues-Sat from 4pm-12pm, with a 2am license extension on the way (hopefully by mid August).

We are part of a larger company called Merlino & Co, which also operates The Lobo and Big Poppas. We pride ourselves on being creative and innovative, and are looking for an individual who aspires to the same level of achievement who can continue to build our team and brand for years to come.

The Role:

- Lead, manage and develop the entire team – from bartenders and floor staff, to barbacks and kitchen staff, to event coordinators and managers

- Review and analyze day-to-day operational needs of the business, ensuring the customer experience is consistently in line with brand standards.

- Manage the day-to-day FOH operations.

- Work with department heads to ensure each area is running effectively and consistently. Continually drive the team to put forward creative and innovative products on a regular basis.

- Accountability for achieving all revenue targets and having an agile approach to managing the business to ensure these targets are met.

- Create clear and concise business development strategy to continue the growth of the brand and the team as a whole.

- Responsible for recruitment, team training and development, as well as on-the-job performance management.

- Strictly adhere to and enforce all company policies to ensure the business is run effectively and efficiently including compliance obligations.

- Deliver all HR requirements for the business, including training, coaching and developing talent pipelines for all leadership roles.

Required Skills and Attributes:

- Have held a similar managerial position involving high-volume cocktail sales or in a food driven venue for a minimum of 2-3 years.

- Strong knowledge of spirits, classic cocktails, and wine.

-Ability to lead from the front to manage, motivate, and develop staff. This is a hands on role, not a retirement role! You need to love hospitality and want to actively lead.

- Proven success driving revenue and profits.

- Knowledge of liquor licensing laws and venue compliance obligations.

- Experience with management reporting, stock control, WHS & handling venue security concerns.

- Strong organisational skills with the ability to think on your feet and multi-task.

- A strong understating of BOH systems and financial management.

- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to delegate effectively.

- Prepared to work flexible hours for 5 shifts including nights and weekends.

- A passion for hospitality, leading from the front and developing relationships across all levels of the business.

- Minimum of 3 references available from differing past venues if applicable.

Perks and Benefits:

-Competitive renumeration, great tips, and an opportunity to be involved in active profit share scheme.

-Fantastic discounts across all Merlino & Co. venues.

-Excellent pathways for career growth within a supportive company.

-Dynamic culture that is collaborative and nurturing.