Senior Hospitality Leadership Role | Full-Time 

Are you an experienced Venue Manager or Hotel Manager ready to lead a well-established, community-driven hotel?

The Windmill Hotel in Prospect is seeking a commercially astute, people-focused Venue Manager to lead our small, close-knit, and highly capable team.

Known for our loyal regulars, welcoming atmosphere, strong gaming trade and quality food and beverage offering, the Windmill is a true local favourite. This is an opportunity to take full ownership of a profitable suburban hotel while strengthening culture, performance and community connection.

Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will have full operational and financial accountability for the venue, including:

• Food & Beverage operations
• Gaming operations (TAB, Keno, compliance)
• Team leadership and performance management
• Budgeting, forecasting and P&L management
• Rostering and payroll oversight
• Customer experience and service standards
• Compliance, WHS and legislative requirements
• Local marketing and community engagement

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong commercial acumen, confident decision-making and a visible presence on the floor.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Culture

• Lead and develop department heads and hotel employees
• Drive KPIs and performance outcomes across all departments
• Recruit, induct, coach and retain high-performing team members
• Conduct regular management meetings and operational reporting
• Create a collaborative, accountable and customer-first culture

Operational Management

• Ensure smooth daily operations across bar, bistro and gaming
• Oversee venue presentation, plant, equipment and maintenance
• Monitor and optimise rostering in line with budgets and demand
• Coordinate staff training and continuous improvement initiatives
• Maintain strong cash handling, security and risk controls

Financial Performance

• Full P&L accountability
• Prepare and manage operating and capital budgets
• Drive revenue growth and cost control strategies
• Monitor wage percentages, stock control and margin performance
• Deliver regular financial reporting to senior management

Customer Experience & Community

• Lead a service culture that builds loyalty with regular patrons
• Manage escalated customer matters professionally
• Analyse feedback and implement service improvements
• Represent the hotel within the Prospect community

About You
You are an experienced Hospitality Manager, Venue Manager or Hotel Manager who thrives in community venues and understands the balance between culture and commercial performance.

You will bring:

• Proven experience managing a hotel, pub or licensed venue
• Strong P&L and budgeting capability
• Experience overseeing gaming operations and compliance
• Demonstrated success leading and developing teams
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• A hands-on, solutions-focused leadership style
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

You understand that successful venues are built on consistency, strong leadership presence, and genuine customer relationships.

Essential Qualifications & Compliance

• Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA)
• Responsible Persons Badge
• RSG1 (minimum)
• TAB/Keno experience
• Food Handler Safety Training
• First Aid Certificate
• Qualifications in Hospitality, Business, Leadership or Management

Desirable:

• Food Safety Supervisor
• Mental Health First Aid
• RSG 2 & 3

Why Join Matthews Hospitality Group?

Matthews Hospitality Group is a proud South Australian, family-owned business with over 80 years of hospitality experience. We operate a portfolio of well-known hotels across the state, built on one simple philosophy: Making others feel good, feels great.

When you join MHG, you’re not just stepping into a single venue — you’re joining a group that values leadership, accountability, community and long-term growth.

• Base salary of $90-$100k commesurate with experience. 
• Additional benefits include flexibility, health discounts, superannuation matching, salary packaging, group discounts, and more! 
• Stable, established ownership with clear strategic direction
• Strong governance and compliance standards that protect our leaders
• Shared Services support across People & Culture, Finance, Marketing and WHS
• Leadership development and succession planning opportunities
• Autonomy with accountability — we trust our Venue Managers to lead
• A values-driven culture built on integrity, respect, empowerment and professional standards
• A genuine focus on community connection and local impact

We invest in our leaders. You’ll have the structure, systems and senior support to perform at your best — without losing the heart and personality that make great venues thrive.

If you’re looking for a long-term leadership role where you can drive performance, develop people and strengthen culture within a respected hospitality group, Matthews Hospitality offers the platform to do exactly that.

We look forward to hearing from you!