General Manager

Lead a premier racing and events destination. Drive strategy, operations and growth as General Manager of the iconic Cairns Jockey Club!
Our Client:
  
The Cairns Jockey Club is a premier racing and events destination in Far North Queensland, delivering a vibrant calendar of thoroughbred racing, corporate functions, and community events. Home to iconic race days including the Cairns Cup Carnival and the Amateurs Carnival, the Club offers a unique blend of equine excellence, hospitality, and entertainment, showcasing the very best of the region.
  
The Opportunity:
  
An exciting leadership opportunity exists for an experienced and driven General Manager to lead the Cairns Jockey Club into its next phase of growth and success. Reporting to the Board of Directors, this role is responsible for the overall management, strategic direction, and operational performance of the Club, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality racing and events.
  
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing strong, visible leadership across the organisation, inspiring a high-performance culture while fostering a collaborative, values-driven environment that supports employee engagement, development, and retention.
• Overseeing the end-to-end operations of the Club, ensuring all racing, events, and hospitality functions are delivered to a consistently high standard and in line with compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Managing financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and identifying new revenue streams such as sponsorships, partnerships, grants, and commercial opportunities to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Acting as the public face of the organisation, building and maintaining strong relationships with industry stakeholders, sponsors, government bodies, and the broader community.
• Driving continuous improvement across operational systems, processes, and policies to enhance efficiency, governance, and overall organisational performance.
• Ensuring effective risk management frameworks are in place, with a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating operational and financial risks.
• Leading administrative and business functions including reporting, compliance, staff coordination, and resource management to support seamless day-to-day operations.

Your Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role (General Manager, Operations Manager, or similar), ideally within racing, events, hospitality, or a member-based organisation.
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated experience managing budgets, financial performance, and identifying growth opportunities.
• Exceptional leadership capability with a track record of building, mentoring, and motivating high-performing teams
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to represent an organisation at an executive and community level.
• Sound understanding of governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks.
• Experience in event delivery, venue management, or large-scale operations will be highly regarded.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with a professional and approachable style.
• Must have a Queensland RMLV for a Liquor Approved Manager or, the ability to apply for one.

The Offer:
  
This is a rare opportunity to take on a high-profile leadership role within the Cairns Jockey Club, where you will play a pivotal part in shaping the future of a well-established and highly regarded organisation. Offering a dynamic and diverse environment, this role provides the chance to combine strategic leadership with hands-on operational impact, all while being part of a vibrant regional community.

• Competitive remuneration package aligned with experience and scope of the role.
• Opportunity to lead a recognised racing and events destination with a strong community presence.
• Autonomy to drive strategy, innovation, and business growth initiatives.
• Diverse role spanning operations, events, stakeholder engagement, and commercial development.
• Supportive and engaged Board committed to the Club’s ongoing success.
• Lifestyle benefits of living and working in Far North Queensland.

Applications will be assessed as they are received, and the advertisement will close once a suitable candidate is appointed.  Early applications are encouraged.
   
Please do not contact Cairns Jockey Club directly.  All direct applications will be forwarded to CBC Staff Selection for screening.  Unsolicited resumes or applications from other recruitment agencies will not be accepted.
  
To ensure compliance with Australian employment law, this role is only open to candidates who possess either the right to work in Australia, permanent residency, citizenship status or visa status.   
  
How to Apply:
  
To apply online, click ‘apply’ at the top of this page, or contact our designated Recruitment Consultant, Sally Mlikota or Virginia Sharpe on 07 4051 9699 or sally@cbcstaff.com.au for a confidential discussion.
  
At CBC Staff Selection, we are dedicated to fostering an environment that champions equal opportunity, embraces diversity, promotes inclusion and prioritises flexibility and accessibility. All communication with CBC Staff Selection is managed in a highly confidential manner, and your details will not be shared with any future employer without your prior consent.
  
CBC Staff Selection – Redefining Recruitment
  
With over 36 years’ recruitment experience, CBC Staff Selection specialises in providing professional, quality recruitment services to a wide range of candidates and clients throughout both Far North Queensland (Cairns region) and North Queensland (Townsville and Mackay region) as well as Regional Queensland.
  
Job Reference: 1708423/SM

• Opportunity to lead a recognised racing and events destination
• Competitive remuneration package aligned with experience and scope of the role.
• Lifestyle benefits of living and working in Far North Queensland!