About Us

At Collegians, we take pride in our 60-year history as a pillar of the greater Wollongong community. Across our four venues – Collegians Wollongong, Figtree, Balgownie, and Illawarra Leagues – we remain committed to delivering memorable dining experiences and exceptional service to every guest, every day.

As we continue to grow our food & beverage operations, we are seeking an accomplished culinary leader to join our team and drive excellence across all catering and kitchen functions

The Opportunity

As Executive Chef / Catering Director you will be responsible for the strategic direction, operational management and financial performance of all kitchen and catering activities at Collegians RLFC. Key accountabilities include:

Leading the full culinary function: menu creation, food quality, presentation, service standards

Managing food cost, labour cost, kitchen budget, and profitability

Developing and mentoring a high-performance kitchen & catering team

Ensuring compliance with food safety, hygiene, workplace health & safety, and licensing requirements

Collaborating with leadership (club management, event sales, marketing) to maximise revenue opportunities and cross-sell catering services

Sourcing premium local produce, building supplier partnerships, and maintaining inventory systems

Innovating menu concepts that reflect our club’s brand, guest expectations, and seasonal trends

Key Requirements

Demonstrated experience as an Executive Chef or senior culinary/catering director in high-volume hospitality, events, or club environment (Sydney/Wollongong region preferred)

Exceptional leadership and team-building skills — able to manage, train and motivate kitchen staff, catering teams and service partners

Strong financial acumen — experience managing food cost %, labour, budgeting and achieving profit targets

Proven skills in menu development, banquet/events catering, and large-scale service operations

Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills

Up-to-date knowledge of food safety, hygiene, health & safety legislation, and best-practice kitchen operations

What We Offer

A highly visible leadership role

Scope to shape and grow the club’s catering business, events portfolio, and member experience

Competitive salary and benefits package

Supportive, community-focused workplace culture with opportunities for innovation and personal growth

How to Apply

Please submit your resume plus a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, leadership style, and vision for elevating the catering and hospitality offering at Collegians RLFC.

Collegians RLFC is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity within the team.