Reservations & Events Manager

Gimlet is a dynamic restaurant in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, with a sophisticated menu, award-winning wine list, and world-class signature drinks that reflect seasonality. It is an ageless and classic 1920's-era dining room that evokes nostalgia and decadence and commands a good time.

Apollo Inn is our ode to the ageless art of the cocktail, the bar, the bartender and the drinker.  A few doors down from Cavendish House and hidden behind leather doors within the 1920s neo-renaissance-style building, Apollo Inn is an intimate space that takes its cues from the timeless cocktail bars of Europe.

About the Role:

Gimlet and Apollo Inn are always evolving, and this key position will see you drive revenue generation and back-end operations. You will work alongside the Venue Manager, Head Chef and some of the industry's best minds to drive the success of the cocktail bar and restaurant.

Do you:

• Have a passion and desire to be immersed in venues that are synonymous with the rich food culture of Melbourne.
• Have the ambition and motivation to deliver a top tier guest experience. Invest in your guests, and their experience no matter the occasion.
• Understand the rhythms of guest behaviour and the calendar to create a dynamic reservation strategy.
• Love creating experiences of all sizes. Designing the details that elevate a great night to one that's truly special.
• Have a vision to share in shaping a lively events program.
• Apply your logical and strategic mindset to a range of internal activities, including media and PR exercises, exciting external events, marketing and communication plans.
• Have a passion for food, wine, and people.
• The ability to cement yourself firmly as a leader amongst a team of hospitality professionals.
• Have a curious mind seeking a challenge, and a diverse work-life where no two days are the same.

Gimlet and Apollo Inn have an incredibly passionate and dedicated team, and we need an enthusiastic and driven Reservations & Events Manager.

Here's what we can offer you:

• Work for one of Melbourne's most experienced and respected operators;
• Play a pivotal role in securing reservations, selling and coordinating events, and administering of a two-hat restaurant, and a cocktail bar;
• Pride in a product created by skilful teams;
• Ongoing professional development, including active succession planning, and be involved in excellent, accredited on and off-the-job training;
• A staff discount at your favourite of Andrew McConnell's Trader House restaurants: Builders Arms Hotel, Cumulus Inc., Cutler, Marion, Supernormal (Brisbane and Melbourne), Bar Miette, and of course, Gimlet and Apollo Inn.
• An iconic Flinders Lane location in the heart of Melbourne's dining district;
• Office hours in the hospitality industry offering a great work/life balance.

You'll be bringing:

• Highly developed interpersonal skills with proven ability to build effective professional relationships with guests, suppliers and colleagues;
• A high level of attention to detail combined with a passion to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests;
• Excellent ability with events logistics, reservation strategy and time management;
• Ability to engage with and manage people at all stages of their journey - from identifying talent during the recruitment process, to developing the next generation of leaders;
• Technical expertise with SevenRooms and Tripleseat will be well regarded.
• Experience working within a restaurant office environment in a similar role will be viewed favourably.

This position is a long-term engagement. We offer internal management training to help you cope with the demands of an extremely busy restaurant, whilst continuing to develop our people. The ever-expanding Trader House group looks within for talent to help build new opportunities - there is always something to work towards on the horizon. You will stay inspired and motivated to keep one of Australia's favourite restaurants at the forefront of interesting, modern dining for years to come.

Trader House is a collective of restaurants, bars, and specialty retail stores by Melbourne-based chef, cookbook author and columnist Andrew McConnell and photographer Jo McGann. They are Gimlet, Apollo Inn, Cutler, Supernormal, Cumulus Inc., Marion, Builders Arms Hotel, Bar Miette, Meatsmith Heritage Butcher and Morning Market.

If you are looking to apply your skills and develop your career in a stimulating and energetic environment, then please do get in touch.

Please be sure to mention any previous experience with specific reservation/events/POS software.