ASSISTANT VENUE MANAGER / GROUP OPERATIONS AUDITOR

Three Horses isn't your average neighbourhood bar. Driven by the Fancy Free Group, we bring together world-class cocktail R&D, bespoke vinyl listening experiences, high-profile overseas activations, and exceptional hospitality. We are a fast-paced, highly creative team of like-minded industry professionals who genuinely care about our craft, our culture, and each other.

We hold ourselves to a high standard: we operate in a highly structured environment, clear performance targets and strict operational auditing. If you are passionate about high-end beverage design, love pushing service boundaries, and thrive in a dynamic, fun, and fast-moving environment, you’ll fit right in.

About the Role

We are looking for a sharp, hands-on Assistant Venue Manager & Group Operations Auditor to join our leadership crew. This dual-focused role blends high-energy venue leadership at Three Horses with strategic operational auditing across the wider Fancy Free Group portfolio.

You will help drive daily service, mentor our venue team through our structured skills matrix, keep compliance sharp, and collaborate on high-concept creative programs. A key aspect of this role involves representing the group on a global stage - managing international pop-ups, brand activations, and coordinating our calendar of national and overseas industry events.

Key Responsibilities & Tasks

• Global Advocacy & Overseas Event Coordination: Represent Three Horses and Fancy Free Group domestically and internationally. Manage and execute our calendar of national and overseas events, activations, symposiums, and pop-up bar takeovers.

• Venue Leadership & Service Flow: Plan and oversee daily venue operations to ensure smooth, high-energy service execution. Translate high-level beverage R&D into seamless service workflows during peak hours.

• Creative R&D & Cultural Programming: Collaborate with bar leadership to develop and launch four original, high-concept cocktail menus per year. Oversee our vinyl sound design, niche community events, and collaborative activations.

• Staff Mentorship & Skills Matrix: Supervise, train, and mentor domestic staff using our internal skills matrix framework. Design and deliver group-wide upskilling sessions to elevate team capabilities to international benchmarks.

• Operations, Systems & Auditing: Conduct quarterly group-wide operational assessments and weekly "Licensee Audits". Monitor operational performance, prepare audit reports, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

• Compliance, Safety & Governance: Act as primary Fire Warden and WHS Officer, ensuring full adherence to liquor licensing, RSA, health and safety, and workplace safety procedures.

• Supply Chain, Financials & Events: Coordinate relationships with Victorian micro-producers, manage inventory control, prepare staff rosters, monitor operational performance, and coordinate private events.

Requirements, Qualifications & Experience

• Qualification Requirement: Diploma or higher qualification in Hospitality/Business Management, or at least 3 years of relevant professional hospitality management experience.

• Industry Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with at least 2 years in a similar senior supervisory or venue management role within a high-volume, premium venue.

• Tenure Commitment: Seeking a candidate looking for a long-term role, with a commitment to remain in the position for a minimum of 2 years.

• International & Overseas Event Experience: Demonstrated background working in international hospitality markets, with proven experience planning, executing, and managing overseas brand pop-ups, activations, or industry events.

• Technical Passion: Advanced proficiency in mixology R&D, flavor chemistry, service design, and inventory systems.

• Leadership & Audit Literacy: Experience with staff training frameworks, operational audits, POS systems, basic financial reconciliation, and roster planning.

• Culture Fit: Excellent communication skills, a team-first attitude, and a passion for music, community, and hospitality.

Work Eligibility & Application Details

• Work Eligibility: Must hold full, unrestricted work rights in Australia or be eligible to satisfy requirements for employer-sponsored visa options.

• Location: On-site in Melbourne, VIC (with capacity for domestic and international travel).

To apply, please submit your resume highlighting your venue leadership experience, beverage R&D background, and international event experience.