Venue Manager - Penny Young

From long lunches and after-work drinks to busy weekends, weddings, birthdays, corporate events and private celebrations, Penny Young brings together great food, drinks, events and hospitality under one roof.
With a lively atmosphere, weekly DJs and live music, Penny Young moves seamlessly from relaxed dining and drinks into a vibrant social destination as the week builds.

We’re looking for an experienced, energetic and commercially minded Venue Manager who understands this style of venue and is excited to take ownership of its performance and lead it into its next chapter.
This is an opportunity for someone who loves hospitality, knows how to lead people and wants genuine responsibility for the performance and success of a venue.

THE ROLE:
As Venue Manager, you’ll take ownership of the day-to-day operation and overall performance of Penny Young.
You’ll be a visible, hands-on leader who sets the standard on the floor, develops a strong management team and creates a culture of accountability, professionalism and great hospitality.
Working closely with the owners and management team, you’ll have the autonomy to run the venue, improve the business and bring new ideas to the table.
We’re looking for someone who can balance people, service and commercial performance — delivering an exceptional guest experience while driving revenue, managing costs and building a high-performing team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Take overall ownership of the day-to-day operation and performance of Penny Young
• Lead, motivate and develop the management and wider venue team
• Build a positive, professional and accountable team culture
• Set and maintain consistently high standards of service, presentation and guest experience
• Be visible and hands-on during key services, leading the team from the floor
• Take ownership of the venue’s commercial performance, with a strong focus on revenue growth, labour management, cost control and profitability
• Drive the functions and events side of the business, working with the reservations and functions team to maximise enquiries, conversions and revenue
• Oversee weddings, birthdays, corporate events, private bookings and major venue events
• Build strong relationships with guests and ensure feedback or issues are handled quickly and professionally
• Recruit, train, develop and performance-manage team members
• Manage rostering and staffing levels to suit the needs of the business
• Oversee stock control, ordering, wastage and cost management
• Work closely with the kitchen, bar, reservations and functions teams to deliver a seamless operation
• Maintain compliance with liquor licensing, health and safety requirements and venue procedures
• Identify opportunities to improve sales, service, efficiency and profitability
• Work closely with the owners on the ongoing growth and direction of Penny Young

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• Proven experience as a Venue Manager, Restaurant Manager or similar senior hospitality leader
• Strong experience in food and beverage-led venues
• A confident and natural leader who knows how to set expectations and bring the best out of a team
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of sales, labour, COGS and venue profitability
• Experience managing functions, events and private bookings
• Excellent communication and people skills
• A genuine passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences
• High standards and excellent attention to detail
• The ability to remain calm, organised and solutions-focused in a busy environment
• A proactive, hands-on and approachable leadership style
• Someone who takes accountability, solves problems and follows through
• Someone who is always looking for ways to make the venue better

WHAT YOU'LL ACHIEVE!
Success in this role means a strong and engaged team, consistently high standards, happy guests, growing functions and events, and a venue that performs commercially.
We want a Venue Manager who understands what’s happening across the entire business, takes accountability for results and is constantly looking for opportunities to improve the venue.

WHY PENNY YOUNG?
We’re not looking for someone to simply fill a management position.
We’re looking for someone who wants to take genuine ownership of the venue’s performance, build an exceptional team and help grow the business.
You’ll work closely with the owners, have genuine input into the direction of Penny Young and be given the freedom to bring ideas to the table and make an impact.
For the right person, this is an opportunity to have a real influence over the culture, standards, reputation and commercial success of Penny Young.
If you’re ambitious, commercially minded and passionate about hospitality, this could be the perfect next step.

JOIN US
If you’re ready to take the reins of a busy Melbourne venue, lead a great team and make your mark at Penny Young, we’d love to hear from you.
To apply, please send your resume to:
******@pennyyoung.com.au
Additional information

• Take ownership of the day-to-day operation & overall performance of Penny Young
• Working closely with the owners and management team
• Join a fun and welcoming team!