Hotel General Manager (Publican)

Argyle Hotel | Maclean, NSW | Full Time

Lead an iconic heritage hotel. Grow with an award-winning hospitality group. Enjoy an exceptional coastal country lifestyle.

About the Argyle Hotel

Established in 1894, the Argyle Hotel is a beautifully restored heritage hotel in the heart of Maclean, on the banks of the Clarence River in northern New South Wales.

With its magnificent sandstone architecture, sweeping verandas, welcoming public bar, Restaurant 1894, boutique accommodation and distinctive function spaces, the Argyle combines the charm of a traditional country pub with premium food, beverage and hospitality.

We have some wonderful foundations in place: a talented Head Chef, a quality bistro menu showcasing premium meats and fresh regional produce, excellent beers on tap, a dedicated team and a loyal community of locals, families and visitors.

From our character-filled Stables and outdoor courtyards to our restaurant and boutique guest rooms, the Argyle offers multiple opportunities to create memorable experiences and grow the business.

Now we're looking for an exceptional leader to help shape its next chapter.

About the Role

We're seeking an experienced, commercially driven and hands-on Hotel General Manager or Publican to lead the hotel's operations, people, performance and future growth.

This is a genuine business leadership opportunity, not simply a venue management position.

You'll oversee food and beverage, restaurant operations, bars, functions, events and boutique accommodation, working closely with ownership, our Head Chef and department managers to deliver outstanding hospitality and solid commercial results.

We're looking for someone who understands that running a successful hotel is about both the big picture and the smallest details.

From growing revenue, improving profitability and developing future leaders to knowing your regulars by name, maintaining supplier relationships, ensuring a seamless dinner service and keeping the venue operating beautifully behind the scenes.

You'll be a visible presence in the hotel, a trusted leader to your team and an important part of the local community.

Key Responsibilities

- Business Performance: Take ownership of revenue, profitability, budgets, forecasting, P&L; performance and sustainable growth across all departments.

- People & Culture: Recruit, mentor and develop a high-performing management team, building a positive workplace culture with clear expectations, accountability and genuine support.

- Food & Beverage: Work collaboratively with our Head Chef and hospitality team to deliver exceptional dining, beverage quality, menu performance and consistent service standards.

- Functions & Accommodation: Drive growth across weddings, private events, corporate functions, celebrations and boutique accommodation, focusing on enquiry conversion, occupancy, profitability and guest satisfaction.

- Operational Excellence: Oversee rostering, labour costs, payroll processes, stocktakes, purchasing, invoicing, cash reconciliation, POS systems, daily reporting and operational procedures.

- Suppliers & Logistics: Build strong supplier relationships,



negotiate effectively and manage regional ordering schedules, delivery requirements and stock availability.

- Compliance & Maintenance: Maintain high standards across liquor licensing, RSA, RCG, WHS, food safety, security, preventative maintenance and opening and closing procedures.

- Customer Experience: Lead from the floor, engage with guests, resolve feedback and maintain the welcoming atmosphere of a genuine country pub.

- Community & Growth: Develop relationships with local businesses, sporting clubs, schools, community groups, tourism operators and regional producers.

Your Opportunity to Make an Impact

This is a role for an experienced hospitality leader who wants to make a genuine difference.

You'll have the opportunity to take ownership of a multi-faceted hotel business, develop its people, strengthen its operations and unlock further growth across dining, beverage, functions, events and accommodation.

Working closely with ownership, you'll be expected to develop and execute a clear business improvement strategy, establish measurable performance targets and build a capable management team that delivers consistent results.

Your first 90 days will focus on understanding the business, building relationships with the team and community, reviewing operational and financial performance, and establishing a practical plan for sustainable growth.

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate what they've achieved in previous venues and has the ambition to achieve even more with us.

About You

You're an experienced hospitality leader who knows how to run a successful pub, not simply manage a shift.

You'll bring:

- Proven senior leadership experience as a Hotel General Manager, Publican or experienced multi-department hospitality operator.

- Demonstrated success in increasing revenue, improving profitability and managing budgets and P&L; performance.

- Strong operational experience across bars, restaurants, food and beverage, functions and ideally accommodation.

- A track record of recruiting, coaching and retaining successful management teams.

- Excellent knowledge of labour management, stock control, supplier negotiations, purchasing and operational systems.

- Strong attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to make confident commercial decisions.

- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, respectful leadership style.

- A genuine passion for premium food and beverage, traditional pub hospitality and community engagement.

- Current NSW RSA and RCG competencies, or the ability to obtain the required credentials before commencement.

- Verifiable professional references and real examples of your operational and commercial achievements.

Most importantly, you're someone who leads by example, earns respect,



takes ownership and genuinely cares about the people walking through the doors.

You don't need to be the loudest person in the room. You need to be the person who earns the respect of the team, builds trust with the locals and takes ownership of the business.

We're not looking for someone who simply maintains the status quo. We want someone with the experience, initiative and ambition to build on what makes the Argyle special.

Grow With Us

The Argyle is part of a family led hospitality group with a string leadership team that also includes Archive Beer Boutique and The Loft in Brisbane's West End.

Archive was awarded Queensland's Best Draught Beer at the 2026 QHA Awards for Excellence, reflecting our commitment to quality hospitality and exceptional venue experiences.

Above Archive, The Loft offers a distinctive space for weddings, corporate events and private celebrations.

We're passionate about developing excellent venues and great people.

This role offers the opportunity to work closely with ownership, contribute ideas, drive meaningful improvements and grow professionally alongside the wider group.

We're seeking someone who wants to build a long-term future with us, not simply take on their next management position.

A Lifestyle Worth Moving For

Maclean is affectionately known as Australia's Scottish Town, famous for its annual Highland Gathering, welcoming locals and strong community spirit.

Located on the beautiful Clarence River, the region offers rowing regattas, fishing, boating, fresh local seafood, sporting events and a relaxed country lifestyle.

Just 20 minutes from Yamba, you'll find stunning beaches, coastal cafés, Angourie, Iluka, national parks and beautiful walking trails.

Whether you're relocating from Brisbane or Sydney, looking for a lifestyle change or already love regional hospitality, Maclean offers the chance to enjoy a rewarding career in a truly special part of Australia.

It's a place where you can become part of the community, build lasting relationships and genuinely make a difference.

What We Offer

- A senior leadership opportunity at an iconic heritage hotel.

- Competitive remuneration, with a performance-based incentive opportunity subject to agreement.

- Direct engagement with ownership and genuine scope to influence business performance.

- Professional development and the opportunity to grow with an established, award-winning hospitality group.

- The opportunity to shape a business, develop a team and make a lasting impact.

- A beautiful regional lifestyle close to the Clarence River and northern NSW coastline.

A beautiful hotel. A wonderful town. A talented team. A genuine opportunity to make your mark.

How to Apply

If you're an experienced publican or hospitality leader ready for your next chapter, we'd love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and a short introduction outlining your hospitality management experience, including examples of venues you've led, teams you've developed and measurable commercial results you've achieved.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide professional references.

Come and help us write the next chapter of the Argyle Hotel Maclean.

📌 Publican | Argyle Hotel Maclean
🏢 Argyle Hotel
📍 Maclean