Operations & Business Development Manager

The Houses Daylesford | Daylesford, Victoria

Full-time | Monday–Friday | $90,000–$105,000 + superannuation + performance incentives

Join one of Daylesford's leading luxury accommodation businesses

The Houses Daylesford is an established and growing luxury holiday accommodation business managing a portfolio of exceptional properties throughout Daylesford and regional Victoria.

We are looking for an experienced, highly organised and commercially minded Operations & Business Development Manager to join our business and work closely with our Founder & CEO.

This is a senior, hands-on and highly varied role for someone who enjoys responsibility, people, problem-solving and business growth.

If you are someone who can move seamlessly between managing a team, speaking with a property owner, resolving a guest issue, coordinating a cleaner, overseeing maintenance and identifying a new business opportunity — this could be the role for you.

No two days will be the same.

About the role

Working directly with the Founder & CEO, you will play a key role in the day-to-day operation and continued growth of The Houses Daylesford.

You will oversee a broad range of operational, people, guest, owner and business-development responsibilities, including:

Operations & Property Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of our accommodation portfolio
• Ensure properties are consistently presented and maintained to a high standard
• Coordinate cleaners, property carers, gardeners, tradespeople and maintenance contractors
• Manage property maintenance and operational issues from identification through to resolution
• Oversee guest arrivals, departures and property readiness
• Resolve guest issues and operational problems quickly, calmly and professionally
• Monitor property standards and identify opportunities for improvement
• Develop and improve systems, procedures and operational efficiencies
• Assist with the onboarding and launch of new properties

Team Leadership

• Coordinate and support our operational team
• Manage workflows, priorities and accountability across the team
• Build strong relationships with cleaners, contractors and service providers
• Provide guidance, training and support to team members
• Ensure operational standards and expectations are consistently met

Owner Relationships

Our property owners are at the heart of our business.

You will build and maintain strong, professional relationships with property owners, including:

• Regular communication and follow-up
• Responding to owner enquiries and requests
• Coordinating property improvements and maintenance
• Monitoring property presentation and performance
• Assisting owners with operational decisions
• Supporting the onboarding of new owners and properties
• Identifying opportunities to strengthen owner relationships and retention

Bookings & Guest Experience

• Oversee booking enquiries and guest communications
• Assist with complex or high-value bookings
• Support the team with guest requests and special requirements
• Ensure guests receive a consistently high level of service
• Manage escalated guest matters when required
• Ensure bookings and operational information are accurate and up to date

Business Development & Growth

This is an important part of the role.

Working closely with the Founder & CEO, you will help identify and develop opportunities to grow The Houses Daylesford, including:

• Identifying prospective property owners
• Building relationships with potential new clients
• Following up business development opportunities
• Supporting property presentations and proposals
• Assisting with new property acquisitions and onboarding
• Identifying opportunities to improve revenue and property performance
• Contributing ideas to grow the business and strengthen our market position
• Supporting marketing and promotional initiatives

About you

We are looking for someone who is proactive, commercially minded, highly organised and genuinely enjoys taking ownership.

You will be someone who doesn't wait to be told what needs to be done.

You see a problem and find a solution.

You can manage multiple priorities without becoming overwhelmed.

You are confident dealing with people at all levels and understand the importance of building strong relationships.

You will be equally comfortable:

Managing a team → speaking with an owner → handling a guest issue → coordinating a cleaner → following up a maintenance job → reviewing a property → pursuing a new business opportunity.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in accommodation, hospitality, tourism, property management, operations or a related industry
• Experience managing or coordinating a team
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong customer service instincts
• Commercial awareness and an interest in business development
• Excellent problem-solving abilities
• Strong attention to detail
• The ability to prioritise and manage multiple competing demands
• Confidence dealing with property owners, guests, contractors and suppliers
• Strong computer and systems skills
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach
• The ability to work independently and make decisions
• A high level of professionalism and discretion
• A current driver's licence

Experience with holiday accommodation, booking platforms, property management systems, revenue management or luxury hospitality will be highly regarded.

This is not a traditional 9–5 property management role

We want to be upfront about the nature of the position.

The Houses Daylesford operates a hospitality business where our properties and guests require support outside standard business hours.

The successful candidate will participate in an after-hours operational support arrangement, including responding to urgent guest and property matters outside normal business hours and on weekends.

This is not intended to mean being constantly available 24/7. Rather, you will be an important part of our after-hours operational support structure and will need to be comfortable taking responsibility when genuine issues arise.

What we offer

• $90,000–$105,000 + superannuation
• Performance incentives
• Full-time Monday–Friday position
• A senior role with genuine responsibility and autonomy
• Direct access to and collaboration with the Founder & CEO
• The opportunity to have a genuine influence on the direction and growth of the business
• A varied role where no two days are the same
• Work across an exceptional portfolio of luxury properties
• A close-knit, entrepreneurial working environment
• The opportunity to grow with an established and expanding business

For the right candidate, there is significant opportunity for the role and responsibilities to grow as the business continues to expand.

Why The Houses Daylesford?

We are passionate about creating exceptional stays for our guests while delivering outstanding service and results for our property owners.

Our business is built around people, properties and relationships.

We are looking for someone who shares that philosophy and wants to become an integral part of the business.

This is an opportunity to work closely with the Founder & CEO and be involved in virtually every aspect of a growing luxury accommodation business.

You will have the opportunity to make decisions, improve systems, develop relationships, identify opportunities and genuinely make a difference.

The right person will be...

Organised.

Proactive.

Commercially minded.

People-focused.

Solutions-oriented.

Hands-on.

Confident.

Accountable.

And importantly, someone who genuinely enjoys being busy and getting things done.

If you are looking for a role where you can take ownership, make an impact and be an integral part of a growing business, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now

Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining:

1. Your relevant experience
2. Why this role interests you
3. What you believe you could bring to The Houses Daylesford
4. An example of a time you have taken ownership of a challenging operational or business situation and successfully resolved it.

Applications will be treated confidentially.

Please email *******@thhgroup.com.au