The Opportunity This is not your typical club leadership role. This established regional sports club is appointing its first formal General Manager/CEO to professionalise operations and deliver an ambitious transformation plan. With 4,000 members, multiple sporting codes, and prime positioning in Orange, this is a genuine chance to shape a community institution.
The club sits at a pivotal moment: Development is in coming including gaming room development approved. They need a leader who can honour 30+ years of success while building the frameworks for the next generation.
About the Venue The Facilities:
- Licensed clubhouse with upgraded bistro operation
- Sports bar, TAB/Keno, function spaces (160+ capacity)
- Extensive sporting fields hosting AFL, rugby, soccer, touch football, athletics
- Outdoor entertainment zones with seasonal activation potential
- New gaming room in development (September 2026 target)
The Numbers:
- 30+ staff across permanent, part-time and casual
- 8 sporting codes, 50+ events annually
The Culture:
- Deep community roots with multi-generational membership
- Strong volunteer base including grounds maintenance
- Family-focused demographic with untapped potential
The Role As GM/CEO, you'll have full operational authority and accountability. You'll partner with a long-serving admin manager who is a star and who brings three decades of operational knowledge and is ready to support your vision in whatever structure serves the club best.
Core Responsibilities:
- Leadership of all venue operations (bar, bistro, gaming, functions)
- Team management across 30+ permanent and casual staff
- P&L ownership: budgets, forecasting, cost control, board reporting
- Club / Gaming Compliance management: liquor, gaming etc
- Sporting group coordination and field allocation management
- Capital project oversight including gaming room development
- Systems implementation: CRM, rostering, online bookings
Strategic Priorities (First 12 Months):
- Establish service standards and operational consistency
- Launch summer activation program leveraging outdoor spaces
- Convert sporting participants into regular venue patrons
- Implement board reporting framework and quarterly governance rhythm
- Drive gaming performance pre and post development
- Build team culture bridging long-term staff and new standards
About You We're seeking a leader with both operational grunt and strategic vision. You might be a current 2IC in a regional club ready for CEO responsibilities, an operations manager seeking your first executive role, or a hands-on CEO who thrives in venues where you can genuinely impact culture and results.
Essential:
- Leadership experience in clubs, hotels or multi-outlet hospitality
- Proven P&L management and financial reporting capability
- Strong people leadership with ability to unite diverse stakeholders
- Compliance expertise across licensed venue requirements
- Experience managing capital projects or facility improvements
- Cultural intelligence to honour legacy while driving change
- Willingness to be visible during key service periods (2-3 nights/week initially)
- Hands on in the business management style
Highly Regarded:
- Regional NSW hospitality experience
- Gaming performance improvement track record
- Grant writing and funding submissions
- Success modernising traditional venues
- Multi-site or sporting venue background
The Package - Salary: $120,000 - $150,000 + super
- Title: General Manager or CEO based on experience
- Structure: Full-time with flexible mix of office and floor time
- Benefits: Relocation support available, on-site parking, venue privileges
- Growth: Clear pathway to expand role as venue develops
Life in Orange Orange offers one of Australia's best regional lifestyle propositions. This thriving inland city (population 45,000) delivers:
- Renowned food and wine scene with 50+ cellar doors nearby
- Excellent schools (public and private options)
- Major regional hospital and healthcare
- Property market with consistent growth (30 years without decline)
- 3.5 hours to Sydney, daily flights available
- True seasons, elevation, and stunning landscapes
Ready to Lead? This is a career-defining opportunity for someone ready to:
- Transform a community asset into a regional hospitality leader
- Build professional frameworks while respecting volunteer heritage
- Navigate the complexity of multiple stakeholders with diplomatic skill
- Drive commercial performance while maintaining community focus
- Lead through influence, not just authority
If you have the operational experience, cultural intelligence, and vision to guide this venue through its most important evolution, we want to hear from you.
Confidential applications welcome.
Note: This appointment is being managed by executive search. All inquiries will be treated with strict confidentiality. Suitable candidates will receive comprehensive venue information
