Catering, Cleaning & Waste (CCW) Cluster Venue Manager

This role leads the planning, readiness and delivery of catering, cleaning and waste (CCW) operations across a cluster of Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 venues, helping to create a world-class experience for teams, officials, workforce, media, broadcast partners and fans. Reporting to the CCW Operations Manager, the post-holder oversees venue operational planning, contractor and stakeholder management, tournament readiness activities and operational delivery across multiple venues. The role leads a team of Venue Leads, supports the engagement of a large volunteer workforce and drives collaboration across a diverse stakeholder group, working closely with venue operators, caterers, service providers, Tournament Partners and internal functional teams.

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of catering, cleaning and waste operations across an allocated cluster of Rugby World Cup 2027 venues, ensuring alignment with tournament requirements, venue agreements and operational objectives.
• Manage venue caterer relationships and performance, overseeing contractual obligations, service standards, operational milestones, key performance indicators and issue resolution.
• Develop and implement venue-specific operational plans, including food and beverage services, client group catering, Tournament Partner integration, cleaning programmes, waste management and venue readiness activities.
• Lead the development and review of key planning deliverables, including F&B outlet plans, product and pricing matrices, catering operations plans and tournament readiness programmes.
• Provide leadership, coaching and line management to CCW Venue Leads and volunteers, supporting recruitment, training, engagement and consistent operational delivery across all assigned venues.
• Act as the CCW lead during tournament operations, driving venue performance, managing risks and escalations, and collaborating with venue operators, service providers and internal teams to deliver a safe, efficient and world-class event experience.

• 2-3 years' experience managing catering operations, event operations, hospitality, venue operations or other large-scale service delivery environments, ideally within major events, sport or stadia settings.
• Strong understanding of food safety requirements, liquor licensing and hospitality operations, with the ability to interpret operational issues, assess risks and effectively liaise with catering providers to support informed decision-making.
• Proven ability to manage service providers and contractors, ensuring delivery against contractual obligations, operational requirements, service standards and key performance expectations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across venue operators, suppliers, partners, volunteers and internal teams.
• Excellent planning and organisational capability, able to manage multiple venues, competing priorities and complex operational activities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to motivate, develop and support both paid staff and volunteer teams in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Resilient, solutions-focused and adaptable, with experience delivering operational readiness programmes, managing issues under pressure and contributing to exceptional customer and stakeholder experiences.
• Flexibility to travel as required, and willingness to work outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, to support activities and tournament delivery.
• Ability to obtain unlimited working rights in Australia.
• Prepared to be based in the role location at own expense, as no relocation package is provided.

• Hybrid work model with four days per week in the office (Monday to Thursday), transitioning to full-time in the office as tournament delivery approaches.
• Remote working opportunity with travel to a modern Sydney office, a five-minute walk from Town Hall and surrounded by public transport, cafes, restaurants and shops.

• Fixed-term contract offering unique exposure to the delivery of a world-class sporting event.
• Wellbeing focus, including virtual lunch and learn sessions and a commitment to keeping the team feeling their best on and off the field.
• The opportunity to play a key role in delivering the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 and help create a lasting legacy for rugby in Australia.