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 in December 2026, and we're building the entire leadership team from the ground up.

We're looking for a Maintenance Manager to join that team and help bring the property to life. This is a rare chance to join before opening, shape how the property comes together, and help create the culture, standards and ways of working from day one.

The opportunity

Great places don't stay great by accident. Behind every guest experience is a building that works, spaces that are well maintained, and someone making sure problems get solved before they become bigger issues.

As our Maintenance Manager, you’ll be responsible for all aspects of maintenance across the property, from preventative maintenance and compliance checks through to contractor management, repairs and day-to-day operational support. You'll make sure the building is safe, functional and looked after, while helping create a seamless experience for guests and team members alike.

You'll also be a key member of the leadership team, working closely with the General Manager and other Heads of Department to make sure the whole operation runs smoothly.

Starting in early November 2026, you'll have the opportunity to come in before opening and play a key role in preparing the property for launch, helping establish the maintenance systems, schedules and standards that will support the operation from day one.

What it looks like day to day:

• Managing and delivering the property's preventative maintenance program
• Carrying out repairs, maintenance and improvement works across the building
• Managing contractors and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and to the required standard
• Conducting routine compliance checks, testing and record keeping
• Responding to maintenance requests and prioritising works across the property
• Working closely with the Host and Housekeeping teams to minimise room downtime and return rooms to service quickly
• Monitoring maintenance costs, expenditure and contractor performance
• Maintaining external areas and ensuring the property presents well at all times
• Supporting emergency maintenance requirements when needed
• Identifying opportunities to improve building performance, efficiency and guest comfort
• Helping establish systems, maintenance schedules and ways of working as part of the pre-opening journey

You’ll be a good fit if…

You're someone who takes pride in keeping things running properly. You enjoy solving problems, thinking ahead and finding practical solutions before issues affect guests or the wider team.

You're comfortable rolling up your sleeves when needed, but you're equally capable of planning ahead, managing contractors and creating maintenance programs that prevent problems before they happen.

You’ll likely bring:

• Experience in maintenance, facilities management or property operations within hospitality, accommodation, tourism or a similar environment
• Strong technical knowledge across building maintenance systems and equipment
• Experience managing contractors, external suppliers and maintenance schedules
• A solid understanding of compliance, workplace safety and risk management
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing tasks
• A practical, hands-on approach to problem solving
• Confidence working independently and making decisions when required
• The ability to build strong working relationships across multiple departments

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.

Alongside that, you’ll have:

• Discounted stays across Drifter properties for you, your family and your travel crew
• Discounts on brands you actually use, including JB Hi-Fi, Uber Eats and more
• Access to online learning and development opportunities
• 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
• Visa support available for exceptional people looking to build a long-term career with Drifter
• Opportunities to grow with the business as we continue to expand across Australia and New Zealand

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 the idea of helping bring a brand new property to life, creating systems from the ground up, and playing a key role in keeping the operation running at its best sounds like your kind of challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

One last thing…

When you apply, include a cover letter and tell us a bit about yourself. What excites you about Drifter? What drew you to this role? What kind of leader are you?

We're not looking for a summary of your work history. We'll get that from your CV. Skills and experience matter, but we're also building a team of people who genuinely connect with our brand, our guests and each other. What we'd really love to understand is who you are as a person, what you value, and what you'd bring to the team.

Any questions? Email us directly at careers@thedrifter.com