UTAS Stadium & Silverdome, Launceston TAS

Some of Australia’s biggest crowds have been fed by Gema Group.

We’re a family-owned hospitality and catering business that started in 1984 with a simple belief: great food and great service, delivered by people who care. Forty years on, that belief still drives everything we do, whether it’s the Australian Open, the Formula One Grand Prix or Supercars Championship. Today our team works across 18 venues in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and now, Tasmania.

We’re looking for a Venue Operations Manager to take ownership of our catering operations across UTAS Stadium and the Silverdome in Launceston.

About the Venues

UTAS Stadium sits within the Inveresk and York Park Precinct. It is the Tasmanian home of the Hawthorn Football Club and the Northern Bombers, the northern home of the Hobart Hurricanes, and host to a broad range of sporting and entertainment events. From 2028 it will also become the northern home ground for the Tasmania Devils as they enter the AFL and AFLW competitions.

The Silverdome is a multipurpose venue with capacity for up to 5,000 guests, set in the tranquil bushland of Kate Reid Reserve. It is the northern home of the Tasmania JackJumpers and the Tasmanian Institute of Sport, and it has the southern hemisphere’s first indoor velodrome. It hosts everything from concerts and exhibitions to conferences, meetings and training events.

About the Role

Reporting to the Venue Manager, you’ll be responsible for the end-to-end delivery and commercial success of our food and beverage operations across both venues. That covers retail catering, premium and corporate hospitality, and non-event day business such as conferences,



meetings and functions. You’ll be a results-driven leader who brings energy to event days and builds new business on the quiet ones, growing sales, keeping costs in check and leading a team that delivers outstanding service.

You’ll also be a key part of the venue management team, stepping up to support the Venue Manager and Head Chef when they’re away.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead the full delivery of catering operations across both venues, from game days and major events to conferences and functions
- Develop catering strategies tailored to each venue and aligned with Gema’s long-term business goals
- Contribute to the annual budget and manage all venue activity within financial targets
- Identify and recommend improvements to boost profitability and operational efficiency across retail outlets and premium spaces
- Drive proactive and reactive sales for non-event day business, including conferences, meetings, functions and corporate experiences
- Manage cost of goods through effective stock control, from forecasting and ordering to storage, waste and returns
- Lead communication with hirers, clubs, event organisers and venue management across event planning, delivery and post-event review
- Plan labour deployment with our Staffing Operations team for major events,



and approve labour against set templates and cost outcomes
- Manage subcontractor requirements for both event and non-event days
- Manage and develop direct reports through performance reviews, training and workload management
- Recommend staffing levels and succession planning to build a strong, reliable team
- Lead catering training for all casual and full-time staff, including rollout and training on new operational software
- Uphold Gema’s Integrated Management System (IMS), making sure food safety logs, labelling and documentation are accurate and up to date
- Support the Venue Manager and Head Chef in their absence, and help other Gema catering operations as needed

About You

- Proven experience in a catering management role, ideally in large-scale events, stadium or high-volume food and beverage environments
- Demonstrated ability to manage a P&L; and deliver robust commercial outcomes
- Strong understanding of food safety regulations, including HACCP principles
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate diverse teams
- Proficiency in inventory management, labour forecasting and budget control
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities and adapting quickly as event needs change
- Flexibility to work across event schedules, including nights, weekends and public holidays

Grow With Us The Devils are on their way and Launceston’s events calendar is only getting bigger, so this is the moment to get in on the ground floor. At Gema, you’ll have the backing of an experienced, family-owned team and real room to grow your career with us.

📌 Venue Operations Manager | Launceston
🏢 Gema Group Holdings PL
📍 Launceston