Executive Pastry Chef - InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef

About Us

IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s leading hotel companies with around 350,000 colleagues working across more than 100 countries. As part of the IHG team, our people help our guests create amazing memories and deliver our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good.

InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef will immerse you in the wonders of the Whitsundays, working in a five-star luxury environment which offers amazing career growth opportunities, professional training & development and provides a one-of-a-kind experience living and working in a tropical island paradise.

About the role

We are looking to employ an Executive Pastry Chef in a fulltime ongoing role.

Salary range: $90,000p.a - $95,000p.a depending on experience.

As the Executive Pastry Chef, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the success of the Pastry operation, working closely with the Executive Chef to deliver exceptional quality, consistency, and guest satisfaction. You will lead and inspire the pastry team, ensuring high standards across production, hygiene, training, and financial performance. With a strong focus on people development, operational excellence, and creativity, you will help drive a world-class pastry experience while maintaining efficiency, profitability, and brand standards. Your passion for pastry, leadership, and continuous improvement will contribute to memorable guest experiences and a high-performing kitchen culture.

In this role, your duties include:

• Support the Executive Chef in ensuring a productive, motivated, and well-trained Pastry team.
• Assist with workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and structured orientation programs.
• Coach, mentor, and provide constructive feedback through performance appraisals, probation reviews, and daily leadership.
• Identify training needs and implement targeted development programs for continuous skill improvement.
• Foster open communication, positive team relationships, and effective, efficient rostering aligned with business needs.
• Ensure the hygienic and safe preparation of food in full compliance with HACCP and Workplace Health & Safety standards.
• Maintain strict adherence to standard recipe cards, portion control, and waste minimisation.
• Oversee correct receiving, storage, rotation, and quality of all pastry ingredients and products.
• Liaise with Engineering to plan and manage preventative maintenance for pastry equipment.
• Deliver regular HACCP, WHS, induction, and refresher training for the pastry team.
• Conduct and lead weekly and monthly departmental meetings.
• Manage Pastry Production operations to achieve optimal departmental profitability and quality outcomes.
• Control stock levels, ordering, and inventory in line with occupancy forecasts and business demand.
• Support labour planning and scheduling within budget and industrial legislation requirements.
• Oversee special events, promotions, banquets, and bespoke dessert requirements to the highest standard.
• Collaborate with Head Chefs and Banquets to create, cost, and maintain innovative pastry recipes.
• Maintain strong product knowledge, industry awareness, and adaptability to current pastry trends.

About you

InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef is seeking an experienced Executive Pastry Chef (10+ years’ experience) with strong communication skills, making it easy for colleagues and leaders to approach you with feedback, ensuring a smooth and positive kitchen environment. Your ability to solve problems under pressure will help turn challenges into opportunities, while your reading, writing, and basic math skills will support recipe execution and kitchen operations. The role requires physical fitness and flexibility, as you’ll be on your feet for most of the day, lifting and moving items, and working across a variety of shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.

What we offer

Appropriate Australian working rights are required for this role.

• World class colleague facilities including excellent subsidised villa accommodation with a dedicated pool, beach area, two gyms, bar, buffet diner, laundry, movie room, corner store and sports fields.
• An exciting and ever-changing colleague activities calendar filled with an abundance of recreational activities such as tennis, yoga, meditation, hikes, markets, crafts and much more.
• Extensive career development opportunities with dedicated onsite trainers and an abundance of professional growth opportunities including multi-hire programs, skills training and optional courses.
• IHG Australia’s myBenefits program including paid birthday leave, wellbeing hub, employee room rates, service recognition celebrations & myPerks platform with an extensive list of lifestyle and retail discounts from over 400 of Australia and New Zealand’s most popular retailers.

How to Apply

Please visit Careers - InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef for further information regarding living and working on Hayman Island including accommodation types, facilities, and FAQ’s.

We also invite you to learn more by following our social channels: Facebook via @ICHIRcareers and Instagram via @ihg_australia_careers