Director Of Culinary & Experience

Our Company 

In 2023, HOTA joined Experience Gold Coast, a super entity which combines HOTA, Study Gold Coast, Destination Gold Coast, Placemakers* and Major Events Gold Coast in an exciting new chapter.

Experience Gold Coast assumes a significant responsibility in growing the visitor economy of the city, with a clear objective of positioning the Gold Coast as the lifestyle capital of Australia. As a newly formed entity, Experience Gold Coast is focused on supercharging tourism, events, arts & culture, and education outcomes for the City of Gold Coast.  We aspire to be bold and innovative in everything we do.

HOTA, Home of the Arts is a growing and ambitious arts precinct on the sun-filled Gold Coast with over 680,000 visitors every year. Our work is carried out in line with our HOTA Values of Art, Citizenship, Curiosity, Integrity and Generosity.

An exceptional opportunity awaits for a passionate and experienced Director of Culinary and Experience to become an integral part of the HOTA leadership team. 

Reporting to the Head of Arts and Culture, Experience Gold Coast, the Director of Culinary and Experience will lead talented teams across visitor experience, culinary operations, retail and ticketing to curate best in class visitor experiences and culinary offerings across the HOTA cultural precinct. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with a deep understanding of Culinary trends, strategic planning and a strong background in visitor experience. 

About the Role:

As the Director of Culinary and Experience, you will serve as a visionary leader, driving forward-focused strategies and workforce planning in an ever-evolving environment. Your role will encompass:

• Providing expert leadership, forward focused strategy and workforce planning, managing change in an environment that is constantly evolving 
• Empowering and developing direct reports through delegation and mentorship.
• Being a courageous and collaborative member of the HOTA leadership team, contributing to strategic, business and operational planning
• Overseeing all aspects of the visitor experience consistent with HOTA’s vision and values, ensuring a seamless, engaging, and memorable experience
• Working to ensure the connections between the Visitor Experiences team and all other delivery and planning teams at HOTA are comprehensive, enabling efficient, accurate planning and delivery of visitor journeys and experiences
• Leading all food and beverage operations across the HOTA Precinct, including the integration of innovative food and beverage streams into performing, events and exhibition programs
• Overseeing high-end rooftop bar and restaurant in HOTA Gallery together with responsibility for the existing HOTA café, bar and kitchens and any new food and beverage satellite facility
• Overseeing HOTA Retail to meet HOTA’s objectives and sales targets while ensuring the HOTA Shop environment and experience is high quality, innovative and consistently producing excellent results
• Overseeing the Ticketing team to develop and implement ticketing strategies, manage ticket sales, and ensure a seamless and positive experience for our customers

About You: 

• Relevant qualifications - diploma or degree in food service management or related field; Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field highly advantageous
• Licenses and regulatory certificates including Responsible Management of a Licensed Venue (RMLV), Approved Managers License (AML), Responsible Service of Alcohol License (RSA), Food Safety Certificate
• Commercially orientated with a demonstrated ability to increase sales, reduce costs and meet financial targets
• Experience in successfully leading a Food and Beverage team and experience in retail sector 
• Experience in a customer centric role, with a track record of delivering experiences with consistency and a strong customer-focused approach
• Experience in contributing to business performance improvement outcomes in a profit- driven commercial environment
• High level skills in Microsoft Office systems
• Strong problem-solving skills and a strong decision-making capability 
• An ability to build and develop effective working relationships

How to apply 

To apply for this role please submit a short cover letter which details why you are applying for this role and what you would bring to Experience Gold Coast, together with an up to date resume.

HOTA, Home of the Arts values diversity and inclusion. HOTA is committed to providing equitable employment opportunities and welcomes applications from all cultures, genders, ages, Australia’s First Nations People, LGBTIQ+ and people with disabilities. 

We accept applications in writing and video recording. If you require assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to our friendly People and Culture team at **********@hota.com.au 

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.