Hospitality CEO

This is a rare and genuinely exciting opportunity to step into the CEO role across two of Melbourne’s most recognisable hospitality venues and lead their next phase of evolution. Welcome to Thornbury and Welcome to Brunswick have strong brands, loyal communities, and real potential to thrive as more people seek food-led and entertainment-led experiences.

We are looking for a visionary CEO with the commercial judgement, leadership capability, and strategic clarity to redefine the concept, optimise the revenue mix, and create long-term value. This is a business at an inflection point, and the next leader will have a clear mandate to shape what comes next.

Importantly, this is a complex and dynamic operation. Beyond a food and beverage offer, the business spans events, functions, entertainment, an arcade, and brewing and distilling operations. We are looking for someone who understands how to lead a multi-faceted hospitality business and get a strong team executing consistently across every part of it.

A strong existing team is in place, and we are committed to retaining and developing great people wherever possible. The role will involve building on that capability, strengthening the leadership group where needed, and aligning the organisation around a clear vision for the future.

We are offering strong remuneration and a compelling incentive structure, including an STI and a 2-3 year LTI, aligned to performance improvement and long-term value creation. In the right hands, this role offers the opportunity to help build meaningful enterprise value over time.

As CEO, you will have full ownership of the business strategy, operations, people, and performance. Your key focus areas will include:

• Set a compelling vision: Inspire the organisation and the community with a clear, ambitious direction for both venues.
• Shape the next chapter: Guide the business through its evolution by aligning the offer, the team, and the commercial model to the realities of modern hospitality.
• Build an extraordinary team: Retain and develop the current team where possible, while recruiting strategically where additional capability is needed.
• Own the strategy: Shape and deliver the commercial and operational roadmap across Welcome to Thornbury and Welcome to Brunswick.
• Champion quality and standards: Drive consistency in food quality, guest experience, and operational excellence across every touchpoint.
• Deliver the numbers: Take accountability for revenue growth, profitability, budgeting, and reporting to board-level stakeholders.
• Drive events and revenue: Lead an ambitious events strategy across private, corporate, and large-scale functions to unlock new revenue streams.

• Executive leadership experience: Demonstrated success as a CEO or senior leader in a multi-site hospitality or food-led business.
• Deep hospitality and food expertise: A genuine passion for food, service, and the guest experience, backed by real industry depth.
• Strategic clarity: The ability to think big, move fast, and make smart decisions that drive sustainable growth.
• People-first leadership: A track record of building great cultures and high-performing teams who love what they do.
• Commercial sharpness: Strong financial acumen, with experience managing P&L, KPIs, forecasting, and stakeholder reporting.
• High standards: You don’t accept average. You hold yourself and your team to an exceptional standard, every day.
• Relevant qualifications: Tertiary qualifications in Business, Hospitality Management, or a related field (desirable).

• CEO leadership with real authority: The freedom to shape the culture, strategy, and direction of the business.
• A chance to build something truly special: Two venues with incredible bones. Strong brands, loyal communities, and genuine upside.
• Strong base remuneration: An executive salary package that reflects the seniority and importance of this role.
• Short-Term Incentive (STI): Performance-based incentive tied to annual business outcomes and improvement.
• Long-Term Incentive (LTI): A 2–3 year LTI structure aligned to long-term value creation, including the potential for future strategic value realisation.
• A legacy to leave: The opportunity to lead these iconic venues into their next chapter of success.

For a confidential discussion, please contact John O'Hare or Lee Kelly at BlueRock at john.ohare@thebluerock.com.au or lee.kelly@thebluerock.com.au