VENUE MANAGER | CASA PONSONBY
Auckland, New Zealand
Where Rodd & Gunn comes to life.
Something special is coming to Ponsonby.
Rodd & Gunn has always stood for quality, craftsmanship and a distinctly New Zealand sense of ease. Beyond the clothing, this philosophy extends to the places we create, the experiences we share and the genuine hospitality that brings people together.
Casa Ponsonby is a new expression of that philosophy, a place where the brand is experienced through hospitality, design, food, wine and genuine human connection.
A neighbourhood restaurant with its own distinct identity, Casa Ponsonby will be warm, relaxed, generous and full of character. A place to gather, settle in and stay a little longer than planned.
We're looking for a Venue Manager to help bring our vision for Casa Ponsonby to life.
This is an opportunity for an experienced, passionate and hands-on hospitality leader to establish the culture, service standards and guest experience of an exciting new restaurant.
We're looking for someone who understands that exceptional hospitality goes well beyond good service. Someone who can create an atmosphere, build genuine relationships and make every guest feel welcome, whether they're visiting for the first time or returning for the third time that week.
The experience will centre around generous hospitality, confident service and an appreciation for great food and wine. With a menu featuring exceptional post-traditional pizza, vibrant vegetable dishes, standout meats and seafood, Casa Ponsonby will embrace a relaxed, convivial approach to dining. A place where the service feels effortless, the atmosphere is full of life and guests are encouraged to settle in and enjoy themselves.
The Opportunity
As Venue Manager, you'll play a defining role in establishing Casa Ponsonby's identity, service culture and reputation, while taking ownership of its day-to-day operations and commercial success.
You'll be responsible for:
Leading the successful opening of Casa Ponsonby, establishing the operational foundations, service standards and team culture from the outset.
Recruiting, developing and inspiring a passionate front-of-house team that delivers genuine, confident and memorable hospitality.
Creating an engaging guest experience that reflects Casa Ponsonby's personality and The Lodge Group's commitment to quality.
Building meaningful relationships with guests, developing a loyal following and establishing Casa Ponsonby as a favourite within the Ponsonby neighbourhood.
Working closely with the Head Chef to ensure food, wine, service and atmosphere come together as one cohesive experience.
Leading the food and beverage service, with a strong understanding of wine, cocktails and contemporary dining.
Taking ownership of venue performance, including revenue, labour, profitability, budgeting and financial reporting.
Establishing strong operational systems, compliance standards and consistent service procedures.
Collaborating with The Lodge Group's leadership and marketing teams to develop events, activations and initiatives that drive awareness, engagement and repeat visitation.
About You
You're an experienced hospitality professional and natural leader who understands that great restaurants are built on exceptional people, genuine hospitality and attention to detail.
You'll bring a minimum of two years experience as a Venue Manager in a premium dining establishment, with a demonstrated ability to lead teams, deliver exceptional guest experiences and achieve strong commercial results.
You'll have a genuine passion for food and wine, a sound understanding of contemporary restaurant operations and the confidence to lead a new venue opening.
You appreciate the balance between polished service and relaxed hospitality. You understand that premium doesn't have to mean formal, and that the best experiences often come from making guests feel completely at ease.
You'll also bring:
A strong floor presence and a hands-on approach to leadership.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to build meaningful relationships with guests and colleagues.
Proven experience in recruitment, training, team development and performance management.
Strong financial acumen, including labour management, revenue optimisation and operational profitability.
An understanding of reservation systems, guest databases and the importance of developing loyal, repeat clientele.
A proactive, commercially minded approach to sales, events and local marketing.
The confidence to make decisions, take ownership and lead by example.
You understand how to balance individuality with an established brand direction, bringing your own personality and leadership style to the role while maintaining the standards expected across The Lodge Group.
Most importantly, you have an instinct for hospitality. You know how to read a room, bring energy to a service, look after your team and create the kind of experience that keeps people coming back.
Why Casa Ponsonby?
This is an opportunity to be part of something bigger than a restaurant opening. Casa Ponsonby represents an exciting new chapter in Rodd & Gunn's hospitality offering.
Backed by The Lodge Group and the strength of the Rodd & Gunn brand, you'll have the opportunity to establish a restaurant with a genuine sense of place, build a team and culture from the outset, and create an experience that becomes part of the Ponsonby neighbourhood.
Our ambition is simple: to create a place people love, return to and remember. A restaurant with warmth, character and a spirit of hospitality that feels unmistakably Rodd & Gunn.
If you're excited by the opportunity to lead something special, we'd love to hear from you.
Casa Ponsonby
Part of The Lodge Group