Restaurant Manager jobs in Whitby, Wellington

Restaurant Manager — Portlander, Rydges Wellington Reporting to the Director of Food and Beverage
About EVT
Rydges Wellington is part of EVT, one of Australasia's market-leading experience creators offering careers that can take you wherever you want to go across entertainment, ventures, and travel. In a world of cookie cutter experiences, here at EVT we believe in changing the game. It's why we all call ourselves Daymakers — because each day is a chance to add the wow factor for our customers and continually grow in our own careers.
Proudly owned and operated in Australia and New Zealand, Rydges offers refreshingly local stays in city, regional and resort-style hotels. We're not just in the neighbourhood, we're part of it. Every hotel is designed for ease, connection and quality. From check-in to check-out, our local heroes bring a can-do attitude and "too easy" service. Whether it's for work or a well-earned break, our place feels like home with the charm of somewhere new. Join us to help make every moment memorable.
EVT has an endless range of roles and career paths to explore across over 140 entertainment experiences like Event Cinemas and Moonlight Cinemas, 150 award winning restaurants and bars, and 80+ hotels, including QT, Rydges, Atura, LyLo, Independent Collection and Australia's most loved year round alpine resort, Thredbo. Our ventures include a ~$2.3B property portfolio and hotel management, just to name a few. Once you're in, there's no limits on where your career could take you.
About the Role
Rydges Wellington is a 4.5-star, eco-certified hotel in the heart of Pipitea, close to Te Papa and the CBD. Within it sits Portlander, one of Wellington's best-known grill restaurants and bars — a locally-driven steakhouse concept known for its seasonal produce, an extensive wine and whisky list, and an atmosphere that draws as many locals through the door as hotel guests.
Reporting to the Director of Food and Beverage, we're looking for an exceptional Restaurant Manager and people leader to take the reins at Portlander through an exciting brand upgrade. You'll bring your own knowledge and expertise to the role, shaping the next chapter of the restaurant while maintaining the high standards of food, service and ambiance Portlander is known for.
Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day restaurant operations, including staff scheduling, inventory management and quality control.
• Lead Portlander's team through the brand refresh, upholding and enhancing its reputation for excellence in food, service and ambiance.
• Recruit, train and motivate a team of servers, bartenders and support staff, fostering a positive, collaborative work environment.
• Ensure an exceptional guest experience, addressing feedback and concerns promptly and professionally.
• Develop and manage budgets, monitoring financial performance and identifying opportunities for cost savings and revenue growth.
• Plan and execute special events, promotions and marketing initiatives, working with the marketing team to drive business growth.
• Oversee inventory levels and procurement, managing vendor relationships and negotiating favourable terms.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and company policies and procedures.
• Generate regular reports on key performance indicators, using data and feedback to inform decisions.

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience as a Restaurant Manager or in a similar supervisory role within a busy, high-quality venue.
• A License Controller Qualification or General Manager's Certificate would be favourable.
• A strong understanding of food and beverage service standards, and restaurant financials and cost control.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and develop a team through change.
• Sound commercial thinking, with the ability to identify and secure new business opportunities.
• The resilience to work productively under pressure and maintain a positive outlook.

How You Work

• Obsess over customers — prioritise the guest experience end-to-end and act on feedback fast.
• Inclusive leader — values diverse perspectives; builds belonging.
• Ignite outcomes — mobilise the team, remove barriers and lead with energy.
• Owner's mindset — acts on data/feedback; ships improvements.

Perks from Day One
As part of EVT, you unlock Elevate Perks from your first day. Parity for all levels — no ivory towers.

• 50% off dining and stays across EVT hotels – QT, Rydges, Atura, LyLo and more.
• $2 movie tickets + discounts on Gold Class, Moonlight Cinema and Candy Bar.
• Seasonal perks at Thredbo.
• Staff meals, barista coffee and CBD parking
• Rapid career growth across our hotel & entertainment network.
• Paid parental leave; community & volunteering opportunities.

Apply Now
Join Portlander at Rydges Wellington and become an EVT experience creator, opportunity taker, the ultimate Daymaker.
Join and make a positive impact on our people, communities, and environment every day.
Send your CV and a short cover letter. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and review applications as they come in — don't wait! We can't wait to see the places your career will go with EVT.
When you click apply, you'll be taken to our secure EVT careers portal (powered by Dayforce). This is our official system for managing applications across the EVT Group. You'll simply enter your details and answer a few quick screening questions so we can get to know you better.