The Venue Relations Lead is the driving force behind the commercial success and elevated guest experience of our signature venues – From Here By Mike, Upstairs Bar, and Crane Bar. This hybrid role combines proactive sales leadership with exceptional on-floor hosting, ensuring our venues attract the right clientele, achieve consistent buyouts or group bookings, and deliver world-class hospitality experiences.
You will lead the charge in identifying and securing new sales opportunities, building relationships with corporate and private clients, and ensuring each event or booking is executed seamlessly. On event days, you act as the VIP host, ensuring that every guest interaction embodies the 1 Hotels ethos of sustainability, sophistication, and authenticity.
As a mentor and coach, you’ll inspire and guide the hostess and front-of-house teams, fostering a culture of confidence, service excellence, and attention to detail across all venues.
One more thing: at 1 Hotels, we believe in creating positive, healthy work environments. You’ll help foster one that celebrates teamwork, accountability, and good-natured service every day.
Sales & Business Development
• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to maximize group bookings, partial venue hires, and full buyouts across all outlets.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local businesses, event planners, concierges, and VIP networks to drive venue awareness and bookings.
• Identify partnership opportunities and activate campaigns that enhance visibility and revenue.
• Collaborate with the Marketing, Sales and F&B teams to promote special events, seasonal offerings, and experiential activations.
• Manage the end-to-end sales process, from initial inquiry through contract negotiation and event execution.
• Maintain and report on a pipeline of prospects, tracking conversions and revenue performance.
Guest Experience & VIP Hosting
• Act as the lead host and on-site liaison for all high-profile events and buyouts.
• Welcome and personally host VIP guests and Redwoods, ensuring a warm, intuitive, and memorable experience.
• Serve as the point of contact for clients during their event, ensuring flawless delivery and problem resolution.
• Champion the brand’s reputation as Melbourne’s premier destination for elevated nightlife and hospitality
Leadership & Team Development
• Lead, coach, and motivate the hostess and front-of-house teams to deliver exceptional guest service.
• Conduct pre-shift briefings to ensure alignment on VIP arrivals, private events, and service priorities.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, empowerment, and accountability.
• Work closely with F&B, Culinary, and Events teams to ensure seamless coordination across operations.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and continuous training of the host team.
Administration & Reporting
• Maintain accurate records of client interactions, bookings, and revenue outcomes.
• Develop and monitor budgets, ensuring revenue and cost targets are achieved.
• Prepare weekly and monthly sales performance reports for management.
• Responsible for building Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), coordinating their distribution, and overseeing event menu printing.
• Stay informed on industry trends, competitor offerings, and evolving guest expectations.
• Uphold compliance with hotel policies, safety protocols, and sustainability commitments
Key Qualifications & Skills
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in luxury hospitality, nightlife, or event sales management.
• Proven record in driving revenue growth through proactive sales and client relationship management.
• Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Strong understanding of premium guest experience standards and event coordination.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments with high attention to detail.
• Polished appearance and natural charisma; able to represent the brand with confidence and authenticity.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and special events as required.
