Area Manager (ESS)

Area Manager – Hospitality & Facilities Services

ESS is a leading provider of hospitality and facilities management services to remote and regional operations across Australia. We are seeking an experienced Area Manager to lead a diverse portfolio of sites, partnering with clients and operational teams to deliver safe, consistent and commercially strong outcomes.

This is a leadership opportunity suited to a commercially astute operator who can influence stakeholders, lead performance, drive compliance and support continuous improvement across hospitality, facilities and village services.

Reporting through the broader ESS leadership structure, you will provide operational oversight across assigned sites, ensuring service delivery aligns with client expectations, contractual obligations, safety standards and business objectives. You will work closely with site leadership teams to coach capability, improve performance and maintain a strong culture of accountability, safety and service excellence.

The Role

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across a portfolio of ESS sites

• Work primarily from an office-based environment, with regular travel to site as required

• Manage financial performance, budgets, labour controls, food costs, waste reduction and operational efficiencies

• Ensure full compliance with food safety, site safety, and company health, safety, and security procedures

• Oversee the delivery of integrated facilities management services, including soft services, maintenance coordination and asset management

• Drive operational planning, compliance, governance and continuous improvement initiatives across assigned contracts

• Manage contractor performance, service standards and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements

• Build trusted relationships with clients, internal stakeholders and site leadership teams

• Lead a proactive safety culture while ensuring key operational, commercial and people targets are achieved

The Person

• Demonstrated leadership experience in multi-site operations, facilities management, hospitality, accommodation, village services or a related sector
• Strong commercial capability, including budget management, cost control and operational performance reporting
• Confident stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence, communicate and build credibility at all levels
• A people-focused leadership style with the ability to coach teams, lift capability and drive accountability
• Experience overseeing service delivery, compliance, risk controls and continuous improvement across complex operational environments
• Strong customer and client service orientation, with a focus on delivering high-quality outcomes and resolving issues effectively
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional reports and business updates
• Sound judgement, problem-solving capability and the ability to make considered decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Strong knowledge of health, safety and compliance requirements, with a visible commitment to safety leadership
• Understanding of food safety systems, HACCP principles and hospitality compliance requirements
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining service quality, commercial discipline and team engagement
• Previous facilities management experience is essential, including oversight of hard and soft services, compliance and contractor management
• Willingness to travel to remote and regional sites as required

The Benefits

As an Area Manager with Compass Group, you will be supported by the systems, scale and expertise of a global organisation. This role offers a competitive salary package, access to incentive and recognition programs, ongoing professional development and a range of employee discounts.

If you are ready to take the next step in your leadership career and contribute to the delivery of high-performing remote operations, we would welcome your application.

Our people’s diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities are at the heart of our vibrant workforce. We are committed to creating inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and people living with disability.