Location: Melbourne CBD, VIC
Work Type: Full-Time
Salary: Competitive Salary Package + Super + Performance Bonuses

- Lead one of Australia’s most iconic venues and the talented team behind it.

- Help shape Cookie’s next chapter through exceptional hospitality and energy.

- Highly competitive salary package with robust bonus incentives.

About the Opportunity

Located on the first floor of the historic Curtin House on Swanston Street, Cookie is a Melbourne hospitality institution. Seamlessly blending a bustling authentic Thai restaurant, a premium cocktail bar and beer hall, Cookie has been setting the standard for the city's high-energy dining, drinking and nightlife culture for years.

We are seeking a General Manager who embodies the Cookie spirit, bringing hospitality prowess, individuality and warmth alongside the experience and commercial acumen to lead the venue. You will take ownership of its operations and performance, leading a large team of industry professionals across front-of-house, bar and kitchen. You’ll bring fresh momentum to Cookie, welcoming new audiences and giving regulars more reasons to return.

Key Responsibilities

- Hospitality & Guest Experience: Lead from the floor with warm and knowledgeable service that makes every guest feel welcome and brings the venue’s personality to life.

- Leadership & Culture: Recruit, coach and inspire a world-class team, fostering a high-performance culture with a focus on staff development.

- Atmosphere & Venue Character:



Take ownership of the details that shape the room – from music and lighting to presentation and service – ensuring a natural transition from dining into drinks and late-night trade.

- Venue Operations: Oversee daily operations, ensuring flawless execution across the restaurant, beer hall and cocktail bar.

- Commercial Performance: Manage budgets and P&L; performance, control labour, and maintain strict COGS control across extensive food and beverage lists.

- Event Activation: Collaborate with the Functions and Kitchen teams to coordinate ongoing promotions, private bookings and venue activations in keeping with Cookie’s distinctive character.

- Compliance & Safety: Maintain absolute compliance with liquor licensing laws, food safety standards, and OH&S; regulations.

Skills & Experience Required

- Proven Hospitality Leadership: 3+ years of General Manager experience within a high-volume hospitality environment.

- Personality & Presence: You have an infectious enthusiasm for hospitality. You can read a room, connect with people and bring positive energy to a lively venue.

- People Leadership: The ability to lead a team of different personalities with confidence, care and clarity. You develop people, build pride and accountability,



and remain calm under pressure.

- An Understanding of Cookie: An appreciation for Cookie’s eclectic character, history, and what makes it special.

- Diverse Operational Knowledge: Strong experience in high-volume food service, familiarity with premium cocktail trends, and sound beer and wine knowledge.

- Commercial Acumen: Strong financial literacy with experience managing labour, COGS and controllable expenses; growing revenue; and adjusting operations based on data.

- Melbourne Hospitality Knowledge: An understanding of Melbourne’s dining, bar, music and cultural landscape is advantageous.

What’s on Offer

- A Hospitality Institution: Lead one of Melbourne’s most well-known and loved hospitality venues.

- Competitive Remuneration: A highly competitive base salary commensurate with your experience, paired with achievable performance bonuses.

- Support Network: Work alongside an established leadership team, experienced venue professionals and a supportive head office.

- Prime CBD Location: Work out of one of Melbourne’s most distinctive hospitality and cultural destinations – Curtin House.

How to Apply

If you bring the personality, hospitality experience and leadership ability to help Cookie thrive, we’d love to hear from you.

Click “Apply Now” to submit your CV and a brief cover letter telling us why Cookie appeals to you and what you would bring to the role.

Only shortlisted candidates with full Australian working rights will be contacted.

📌 General Manager - Cookie, Melbourne
🏢 Temple Group
📍 Melbourne