Head Chef – Collegians Rugby League Football Club

1 day ago

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia Collegians RLFC LTD Full time $80,000 - $120,000 per year

Lead with passion. Cook with creativity. Inspire through excellence.

At Collegians, we take pride in our 60-year history as a pillar of the greater Wollongong community. Across our four venues – Collegians Wollongong, Figtree, Balgownie, and Illawarra Leagues – we remain committed to delivering memorable dining experiences and exceptional service to every guest, every day.

From relaxed cafes to contemporary bistros and vibrant grills, our venues showcase a diverse range of cuisines and atmospheres. Aunty Marg's offers a nostalgic take on classic fish and chips, Kitchen on Charlotte showcases modern Australian flavours, Factory serves hearty steaks, tender ribs & freshly prepared wood-fired pizzas, and Much Ado About Coffee highlights expertly crafted artisan brews. Each venue reflects our core values of quality, consistency, and community.

The Role

We are looking for a passionate, creative, and commercially savvy Head Chef to lead our culinary operations and inspire our kitchen teams. This is a rare opportunity to take the reins across multiple venues, shape the direction of our menus, and leave your mark on an iconic Illawarra hospitality group.

You will have the freedom to innovate — developing seasonal menus, mentoring talented chefs, and ensuring every dish that leaves our pass reflects the high standards Collegians is known for.

This role is based in Wollongong, with regular engagement across all our venues.

You will Be Responsible For:

  • Leading, training, and inspiring kitchen teams across multiple outlets
  • Developing and implementing seasonal menus that highlight creativity and local produce
  • Maintaining exceptional standards of food quality, presentation, and consistency
  • Overseeing food cost, labour management, and kitchen budgets
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and local producers
  • Ensuring compliance with food safety, hygiene, and WHS regulations
  • Supporting operational excellence across all venues through strong leadership and teamwork

About You

You are a leader who thrives in a dynamic, multi-venue environment. You love the balance of hands-on cooking and big-picture thinking — and you bring both creativity and commercial insight to the table.

You will bring:

  • Proven experience as a Head Chef or Executive Sous Chef in a large or multi-outlet operation
  • Strong leadership and communication skills with a genuine passion for mentoring others
  • A flair for menu design and a strong understanding of food trends and seasonal ingredients
  • Financial acumen and experience managing P&Ls, budgets, and rosters
  • A calm, solutions-focused approach under pressure
  • A collaborative spirit and a passion for creating great food experiences

Why Join Collegians?

At Collegians, you will be part of a supportive, professional, and community-driven team that values innovation, integrity, and excellence.

We offer:

  • Competitive remuneration package
  • Career growth and professional development opportunities
  • A supportive leadership team and positive workplace culture
  • Access to top-quality resources and modern kitchen facilities
  • The chance to make an impact across a respected and evolving hospitality group

If you are ready to bring your skills, creativity, and leadership to a dynamic team — we would love to hear from you.

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