Job Description

Drifter is built for curious travellers, free spirits, and people who care about great spaces and great experiences. We run hostels and hybrid stays across Australia and New Zealand, alongside food and beverage venues that bring people together and give our properties their edge. The kind of places people remember, not just pass through.

We’re opening our newest property in Wellington, and it’s a big one for us. A new space, a new team, and the chance to bring it all to life from day one.

We’re looking for a General Manager to lead it. You’ll come in early, work alongside the Regional General Manager, and build out the operation before the doors open. From day one, you’ll play a key role in how the property comes together, creating something guests come back to and a place the team is proud to be part of.

The opportunity

This is a senior leadership role with full oversight of the Wellington property.

You’ll lead across all departments, including Host, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage and Maintenance, with each Head of Department reporting into you. You’ll be responsible for the guest experience, team culture, financial performance, compliance and the overall rhythm of the property.

It’s hands on, especially in the lead up to opening. You’ll be in the detail with the team, making sure things are set up well and nothing important gets missed. Once the property is open, you’ll be the person holding it all together, keeping standards high, supporting your leaders and making sure the operation runs smoothly.

What it looks like day-to-day:

• Checking in with your team and staying close to what’s happening on the floor
• Keeping the guest experience on track and stepping in when something feels off
• Supporting your Heads of Department to keep their areas running well
• Moving between people, problems and priorities without overcomplicating things
• Keeping an eye on labour, revenue and costs as part of the day, not separate from it
• Picking up on what’s working and what needs tightening
• Making decisions early so small issues don’t turn into bigger ones
• Keeping teams aligned so nothing runs in silos
• Making sure the building is looked after and issues are sorted quickly
• Keeping things structured enough to run well, without slowing the team down

As this is a pre-opening role, we’re aiming for a late September / early October start, giving you time to come in early and build out the operation ahead of launch.

You'll be a good fit if

You’ve run a property before and you understand how all the moving parts connect.

You’re comfortable being accountable, you back yourself to make decisions, and you don’t wait for things to drift before stepping in. You like being on the floor with your team, but you’re just as across the numbers and the bigger picture.

You'll likely bring:

• A few years in a senior hospitality role, running a multi-department operation
• Experience leading leaders, not just managing a team
• An understanding of the mechanics of a hotel or hostel with a grasp on yielding and profitability drivers
• Confidence with rostering, labour and keeping costs in check
• A practical, level-headed approach to problem solving
• The ability to build a strong team and keep people engaged
• Experience and understanding of F&B preferably with standalone bars or restaurants, although chains or larger event venues also advantageous
• Some knowledge of the Wellington accommodation market beneficial but not essential

What you can expect at Drifter

You’ll be part of a team that cares about doing good work without overcomplicating things. We back our people, give you space to lead, and make sure there’s support where it counts.

• Competitive remuneration with a KPI-based performance bonus
• Mate’s rates across our properties for you, your friends and your travel crew
• Discounts on brands you actually use, like JB Hi‑Fi, Uber Eats and more
• Access to online learning so you can build skills or follow your interests
• Paid birthday leave for permanent team members
• A paid volunteering day each year to support a cause that matters to you
• Enhanced parental leave
• Free counselling and wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Program
• Annual flu vaccinations covered
• Opportunities to grow with the business as we continue to expand

Drifter is collaborative, practical, and values-led. Professional but not stuffy, we’re a welcoming and inclusive workplace and proudly welcome team members from all races, places, gender expressions and beliefs.

If you like the idea of building something from the start, leading a team properly, and running a place you’re proud of, we’d love to hear from you.