Head Chef

• Excellent work-life balance, working business hours Monday to Friday
• Salary up to $75,000 pa. Full-time, continuing (permanent) position
• Work in a vibrant university environment on the stunning Lismore campus

Be Bold. Belong. Be More.

At Southern Cross University, we do things differently, and so can you.

A career with us is more than you might expect. Yes, it’s about the heart, connectedness and community you’d hope for in a regional university. But there’s also so much more. Our game changing Southern Cross Model brings a deeper, focused learning experience and our research is deeply connected to our regions, making a difference on a global scale. This is your chance to help us build something new and meaningful for our students, our communities and your career. To drive change, make a real impact, and thrive in a place as unique as you.

You can be good anywhere. Here, you can be great.

Your opportunity

We are seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen operations at our Lismore campus. With the exciting reopening of the Lismore Campus Grind this year, this role offers a unique opportunity to oversee its culinary operations while also supporting café and catering services. Reporting to the Café & Catering Manager, you will manage all aspects of food preparation, menu development, staff training, and kitchen operations. This is a daytime role, with working hours predominantly between 7:00am and 3:00pm. In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Supervising food preparation and developing menus in collaboration with the Café & Catering Manager.
• Managing kitchen supplies, stock rotation, and food storage while minimising wastage.
• Training and supervising kitchen staff, ensuring compliance with WHS and food safety standards
• Supporting catering events and overseeing kitchen operations to deliver exceptional dining experiences.

What you will bring

We are seeking a skilled trade-qualified Chef, with experience leading a team in a commercial kitchen. You will be passionate about delivering quality meals and exceptional customer service to our café and catering for clients. More specifically, you will have:

• Relevant trade qualifications, a current NSW Food safety supervisor’s certificate and experience in a leadership role in a commercial kitchen.
• A strong understanding of kitchen management and cost control.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining attention to detail.
• A commitment to safe food handling practices.

Why Southern Cross University

SCU is proudly a regional university, young, small and vibrant. That means you’ll find more exposure, opportunity and ownership - to grow, achieve and build a career that means more. And you’ll do it alongside passionate people and leaders who go the extra mile to help you succeed. A career with us is about more than just work. It’s about place, community and the life you want to live. With three main campuses at the Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour and the Northern Rivers region of NSW, we’re integral to all these wonderful communities. Find your place and be more in this beautiful part of the world.

Your opportunity is:

• Full-time, continuing (permanent)
• Located at Lismore, NSW 2480.
• The base salary will be in accordance with the Hospitality Industry (General) Award Grade 5, plus employer’s contribution to superannuation.

You will enjoy a range of perks designed to support your wellbeing, growth and work-life balance. For more information on our benefits and what it’s like to work at SCU, visit Why work at Southern Cross University?

Be more with Southern Cross University today

For more information on this opportunity please review the attached position description or contact:

Name: Mrs Leah Fitzgerald, Manager, Campus Services

Phone:

Email:

Applications close 11.30pm AEDT 29 September 2025

Eligible applicants must have Australian or New Zealand citizenship, Australian permanent residency or current working rights in Australia for the entire duration of the appointment. Employer visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Applicants must apply online and attach a CV and cover letter responding to the selection criteria within the position description. Information to support you prepare your application is available on our website.   

Southern Cross University celebrates the rich diversity of our regions and international community. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and values people of all backgrounds. We encourage applications from people of all genders, ethnicities, ages, languages, sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. We are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process to ensure every candidate can fully participate. For any support through the recruitment process reach out to

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