Job Details

Job Title: Banquet Manager

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 4

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 16 May 2025

Contact: Saral Ghimire, 0408325845, saral.ghimire@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for a Parliamentary Service Level 4 Banquet Manager within Commercial Operations Branch. 

Australian Parliament House (APH) Canberra is the meeting place of our nation and is one of our nation's most important buildings. This position offers you the chance to be a part of democracy in action. The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) supports the functions of the Australian Parliament and the work of parliamentarians.

DPS is seeking highly motivated, professional and service focused staff to be part of the in-house catering department – the APH Catering and Events Team. The iconic building welcomes over 725,000 visitors each year including some 127,000 school children. It is home to some 1,300 people working across the building, rising to more than 3,500 people on sitting days and peaking at around 10,000 people in the building on the busiest day of the year each Budget Day.

The APH Catering and Events Team will deliver high quality food and beverage services to building occupants and visitors that showcase products of the local region and position APH as a destination of choice. Services will be delivered through a range of venues, multiple kitchens and retail outlets that include multiple venues for function catering, a la carte, bistro, café (building occupants and public facing).

A Banquet Manager is required for the APH Catering and Events Team responsible for a sustainable catering model which is capable of delivering over 500,000 covers annually. Peak service times are Monday – Thursday on parliamentary sitting weeks (approximately 20 weeks per year) and Australian Parliament House is open every day except Christmas Day.  

The successful applicant will have professional experience in overseeing banquet operations and ensuring an exceptional event experience is delivered for all our guests. Australian Parliament House consists of more than 13 premium venues, suitable for a mirage of events ranging from 20 to 1000 attendees.

Who we are looking for

The successful applicant will work closely with the Operations Manager in overseeing the banquets and relevant service sections. You will also have the skills and attributes needed to deliver high quality catering outcomes for DPS and potential services beyond Parliament House in the future.

The successful applicant is an industry leader with acute organisational and communication skills, including the experience and ability to service multi-faceted banquet operations. You should have proven experience in leading teams to meet a high level of performance across service quality and innovation, service standards, financial acumen in the back of house operation, and operational commitments.

The Banquet Manager will also have delegating duties and responsibilities to ensure that Workplace Health and Safety and food safety guidelines and requirements according to HACCP – Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points are maintained within the operation. 

Job Specific Requirements: 

• Demonstrated relevant experience, preferably within high quality and well-regarded Government/Institutional venues.
• Qualifications in hospitality or equivalent relevant qualifications/experience are highly desirable.
• A current Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected/Restricted) security clearance.

At DPS, we acknowledge the value diversity brings. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, mature age people, people from diverse backgrounds and people with disability.

Duty Statement

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 4    
Branch: Commercial Operations Branch   
Section: APH Catering    
Immediate supervisor: Saral Ghimire Assistant Director - Operations & Sales 

Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the Parliamentary Service Level 4 classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. As a member of the Banquets &Events team, assist with the delivery of food, beverage and catering services at APH through an in-house service delivery model that provides a high standard of food and service across all outlets to a wide range of stakeholders including building occupants, other parliamentary departments, vendors, function organisers and the general public;

2. Deliver a front of house food and beverage service the following functions within Parliament House that fulfills client expectations and stakeholder requirements

• Event function facilities including set up and pack down of events ranging from 30 – 800 pax, service of events day | evening
• In other outlets as required in non-sitting periods

3. Management of small operational equipment and front of house assets

• Conduct monthly inventory of operating supplies and equipment,
• Monitor operating supplies, equipment and reduce spoilage and wastage successfully
• Report on breakage and loss monthly, in conjunction with the Assistant Director Operations

4. Maintain high quality service standards and standard operating procedures in the Banquets team focused on service delivery, high customer satisfaction levels, and compliance with DPS policies and procedures.

5. Ensure that budgets, forecasts, schedules, reporting, resource requirements and stakeholder consultation are considered for effective management for the events function.

6 Maintain knowledge of food handling HACCP and WH&S practices and contemporary hospitality industry trends.

7. Other duties as required.

Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.

Selection Criteria 

1.    Demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams in high-pressure environments

2.    Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a focus on stakeholder engagement

3.    Experience in coordinating and delivering complex, high-end events

4.    Proven adaptability across operational and administrative functions

5.    Demonstrated commitment to professional growth and workplace contribution

 

How to apply

Please upload your response to the selection criteria, noting that each criteria has a word limit of 250 words.

For additional guidance when crafting you application, please refer to the the DPS Recruitment Candidate Information Pack, which provides helpful tips on how to structure your pitch and highlight your most relevant skills and experience effectively.

Our purpose and values

We proudly provide innovative, unified, and client-focused services to the Australian Parliament and parliamentarians. We are a values driven department, placing our values at the heart of everything we do; from our service offerings and decision making to our interactions with stakeholders and each other.  

Our people are employed in a broad and unique range of professional, customer service and trade-based roles, all joined by a shared purpose: to make an enduring contribution to Australia’s parliamentary democracy. We have an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. While we come from all walks of life, we share a commitment to care for and protect our iconic workplace. 

Every year, almost one million people visit Australian Parliament House to experience the parliamentary process, the building’s architecture, nationally significant art collections, events, tours, and food and dining experiences – all made possible by our people, who are active participants in an environment where no two days are the same.

What we can offer

Join our community based on innovative, unified, and client-focused services, where your skills and development will be nurtured. You will also enjoy:  

•    access to flexible work arrangements 
•    ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities 
•    a competitive remuneration package
•    free secure underground parking
•    free gym membership and access to recreational facilities
•    on-site childcare, banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more.

Salary

Currently, the salary range for this position is $80,672- $87,659 per annum.

Conditions of Employment

Employment opportunities at Department of Parliamentary Services are subject to a range of conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 which include:

•    Australian citizenship – to be eligible for employment with DPS, applicants must be an Australian Citizen. 

•    Security clearance and character clearance – the preferred applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the level specified, as well as complete and be deemed suitable through a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. 

•    Health assessment – a pre-employment health assessment will be required where there are physical or medical requirements for the role.