ASSISTANT RESTAURANT MANAGER

Piccolo Cucina | Cairns, Queensland

Assistant Restaurant Manager | Hospitality

Start Date: From December 1st 2026

Employment Type Option 1: Full Time

Salary: $80,000 + Superannuation

Bring your love of Italian food, wine and genuine hospitality to Piccolo Cucina.

Piccolo Cucina is looking for an experienced, hands-on Assistant Restaurant Manager to help lead our team and deliver the warm, attentive dining experiences our guests come back for. From handmade pasta and lively evenings in the restaurant to private celebrations in our Tuscany Room and special food and wine events, there’s plenty of variety at Piccolo. We’re looking for someone who enjoys being part of the action, takes pride in the details and knows how to bring out the best in a team.

The Role

Working closely with the Restaurant Manager, you’ll help oversee day-to-day operations and lead by example throughout service. You’ll be a visible presence on the floor, supporting your team, connecting with guests and keeping the restaurant running smoothly.

Your responsibilities will include

- Leading service: Coordinate the floor, bar and kitchen to deliver organised, well-paced service in a busy restaurant.
- Developing the team: Support staff training, lead pre-service briefings and provide clear, constructive feedback.
- Looking after our guests: Build relationships with regulars, welcome new guests and handle feedback professionally.
- Supporting operations: Assist with staffing levels, stock control, cash handling and opening and closing procedures.
- Delivering functions and events: Help coordinate private dining, group bookings and special food and wine experiences.
- Maintaining standards: Uphold presentation, cleanliness and service expectations while encouraging confident product knowledge and thoughtful recommendations.

What You'll Be Doing

- Leading from the front to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
- Supporting the day-to-day operations of the restaurant.
- Coaching, mentoring and developing team members.




- Driving a positive team culture and maintaining high service standards.
- Ensuring presentation, and operational standards are consistently met.
- Assisting with rostering, labour management and stock control.
- Working closely with the Manager to achieve operational and financial goals.

What We're Looking For

- Previous leadership experience within hospitality.
- A hands-on leader who enjoys being on the floor with the team.
- Solid communication and people leadership skills.
- A passion for delivering outstanding guest experiences.
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience across food & beverage is highly regarded.
- Current RSA.

About you You have experience as an Assistant Manager, Duty Manager or restaurant supervisor in a busy, table-service venue. You’re comfortable taking responsibility, making decisions and staying calm.

You lead with clear communication, fairness and accountability. You notice when a guest needs attention, when a team member needs support and when something needs to be done—then take the initiative.

A genuine interest in food and wine is important, with Italian food and wine knowledge highly regarded. You’ll also need a current Queensland RSA and availability to work evenings, weekends and public holidays.

An experienced supervisor ready to take the next step into management is also encouraged to apply.

Why Piccolo Cucina?

This is an opportunity to contribute to more than the daily running of a well-loved, consistent, local’s favourite restaurant in the heart of Cairns. You’ll help shape the guest experience, develop the team and bring ideas to a venue where food, wine and hospitality are central to what we do. With restaurant service, private dining and special events, the role offers variety and the chance to make a meaningful contribution.

Apply now

We’d love to hear about your experience, your approach to leadership and what you would bring to Piccolo.

Send your résumé and a brief introduction to [email protected] with the subject line “Assistant Manager Application.”

📌 Assistant Restaurant Manager (Cairns)
🏢 Piccolo Cucina
📍 Cairns