Assistant Front Office Manager

Company Description

Discover Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour invites guests and talent into a world where French Art de Vivre meets Sydney’s vibrant waterfront culture. As Sofitel’s flagship hotel in the Pacific, the property features 590 elegant rooms and suites, four distinctive bars and restaurants, a breathtaking award-winning infinity pool, a state-of-the-art fitness centre overlooking the skyline, an exclusive top-floor Executive Lounge and our renowned luxury spa.

At the heart of everything we do are exceptional people. We are deeply committed to cultivating an inspiring, energising, and rewarding environment, one where craftsmanship is celebrated, creativity is encouraged, and luxury is delivered with intention and pride.

Inspiration, Recognition & Reward

As a valued Sofitel Ambassador, you will be immersed in a world of refined privileges and bespoke rewards. Enjoy privileged access to an international portfolio of luxury accommodation, exceptional dining, and curated lifestyle experiences. Daily touches of indulgence; from preferred-rate artisan coffee to a thoughtfully designed Ambassador dining menu, elevate the everyday.

Your growth is equally important to us. Through a distinguished learning platform blending expert knowledge with tailored development, we support your evolution as a leader within a culture that celebrates excellence, individuality and ambition.

Job Description

Step into a key leadership role at Sofitel as our Assistant Front Desk Manager, where you will play an integral role in delivering exceptional guest experiences and overseeing the smooth operation of our Front Office.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Support the Front Office Manager in overseeing the daily operations of the Front Office, ensuring seamless arrivals, in-house experiences and departures.
• Lead, coach and motivate the Front Desk team, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture of accountability, engagement and service excellence.
• Assist with recruitment activities, including candidate screening, interviewing, selection and coordination of new team members.
• Oversee the onboarding and integration of new team members, ensuring they receive appropriate training, operational guidance and ongoing support.
• Manage workforce planning and rostering to ensure appropriate staffing levels, operational coverage and compliance with relevant labour requirements.
• Monitor attendance, leave requests, shift changes and daily staffing requirements, proactively addressing operational gaps.
• Support the Front Office Manager with performance management, succession planning, team development and identifying opportunities for internal growth.
• Drive operational performance through effective management of loyalty enrolments, upselling initiatives, guest satisfaction scores and departmental KPIs.
• Oversee Front Office administration, including daily reporting, payroll and timekeeping checks, departmental communications and operational documentation.
• Monitor departmental costs, labour expenditure and productivity, identifying opportunities to improve efficiencies without compromising service standards.
• Ensure compliance with hotel policies, brand standards, workplace health and safety requirements and operational procedures.
• Work collaboratively with Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Engineering and other departments to coordinate daily operations and resolve guest or operational challenges.
• Monitor guest feedback, service recovery cases and operational trends, implementing initiatives to continuously improve the guest experience.
• Maintain strong operational visibility across the Front Office, leading by example and remaining actively involved in the day-to-day operation.

Qualifications

• 4–5 years' experience in Front Office operations, with previous leadership or Assistant Manager experience.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop a high-performing team.
• Strong focus on operational efficiency, service excellence and delivering memorable guest experiences.
• Proficient in Property Management Systems, particularly Opera Cloud.
• Exceptional leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Sound financial acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to make informed operational decisions.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure hospitality environment.
• Flexible and dependable, with availability to work a rotating roster, including weekends and public holidays.
• Current Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certification.
• Full Australian working rights.

If you are passionate about hospitality and take pride in delivering elevated service, we would love to hear from you!

Additional Information

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We are an inclusive company, and our ambition is to attract, recruit, and promote diverse talent. We offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know how we can support you.