Operations Manager

About the Role

HyFy Smart Pod Hotels is Australia's first tech-enabled smart pod hotel brand designed for the modern traveler. We're seeking a hands-on
Operations Manager
to lead the final operational setup and ensure readiness for our flagship Melbourne CBD site, with a
soft opening scheduled for early 2026
.

This role requires strong project management skills, a solutions-focused mindset, and the ability to coordinate across technology, compliance, staffing, and stakeholder communication. Beyond launch, the Operations Manager will also be responsible for driving operational excellence, ensuring guest satisfaction, and supporting the hotel's growth and long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

1. Pre-Opening Planning

• Finalise SOPs for front office, housekeeping, guest services, and maintenance.
• Ensure all operational checklists, timelines, and trackers are complete before opening.
• Support planning of soft opening activities and dry runs.
• Oversee OPEX/CapEx tracking, vendor coordination, and cost control for pre-opening deliverables.

2. Technology & Systems Integration

• Oversee setup of PMS (
  Mews
  ), CRM, and channel manager.
• Coordinate integration with IoT pod systems, mobile check-in/out, and payment gateways.
• Test automation for guest communications (pre-arrival, in-stay, post-stay).
• Confirm seamless data flow across PMS, OTA, CRM, and accounting platforms.

3. Distribution & OTA Onboarding

• Ensure OTA listings are live, accurate, and optimised.
• Verify room types, rates, content, and policies are correctly set.
• Troubleshoot channel manager sync issues and monitor parity.
• Implement rate management best practices to maximise revenue.

4. Licensing & Compliance

• Prepare council submissions and ensure milestones are met on time.
• Maintain compliance documentation and monitor regulatory progress.

5. Hotel Operations (Launch & Stabilisation)

• Lead day-to-day operations from soft opening onwards.
• Oversee check-in/out, housekeeping, maintenance, and guest satisfaction.
• Define and implement HyFy's brand guest experience standards.
• Monitor OTA performance, pricing, and guest reviews.
• Run daily operational meetings to resolve issues promptly.

6. Team Recruitment & Training

• Lead recruitment of front office, housekeeping, and support staff.
• Deliver training programs aligned with SOPs.
• Run operational test scenarios and service simulations prior to opening.

7. Stakeholder Communication & Performance Tracking

• Act as primary liaison between leadership, consultants, vendors, and landlord.
• Provide weekly progress updates, highlight risks, and propose solutions.
• Anticipate issues and develop contingency plans to prevent launch delays.
• Track performance via dashboards covering KPIs (occupancy, OTA metrics, guest satisfaction, milestones).

Qualifications & Skills

Essential

• 3–5 years' hospitality operations experience (hotel pre-opening strongly preferred).
• Proven track record with PMS/CRM systems and OTA/channel manager setup.
• Strong ability to manage deadlines under pressure.
• Tech-savvy, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable (Not Essential)

• Experience in smart hotels, pod hotels, or co-living environments.
• Knowledge of FF&E procurement, asset handover, or BMS systems.
• Familiarity with
  Mews
  , SiteMinder, or similar platforms.

What We Offer

• A rare opportunity to help launch one of Australia's most innovative hotel brands.
• Autonomy and responsibility to shape operations during a critical growth phase.
• A collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.
• Initial contract aligned with the pre-opening and launch phase, with a clear pathway into a senior operations leadership role post-opening.

Compensation

This role offers a competitive startup salary along with performance-based incentives tied to successful pre-opening and launch deliverables. For the right candidate, there may also be an opportunity to participate in HyFy's long-term success through equity options.