Cultural Experiences Leader

Lake Macquarie City Council; Newcastle-Maitland; On-site; AUD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + 12% super

35-hour week with nine-day fortnight

Professional development

Health & wellbeing benefits

Free parking

Job summary

Lake Macquarie City Council is seeking a Cultural Experiences Leader to run day-to-day operations of a cultural facility and guide a passionate team delivering services that connect our community.

Based at Cardiff and Speers Point Libraries, you’ll oversee operations, community programs and partnerships, shaping inclusive, innovative experiences across Lake Macquarie.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading a cultural facility or equivalent services.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Ability to develop partnerships and outreach initiatives that broaden participation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team to deliver exceptional customer and community experiences.
• Manage day-to-day operations of a cultural facility, including people, contractors and assets.
• Develop operational business plans aligned with Council’s strategic direction.
• Shape programs, activities and services to enhance community participation.
• Oversee budgeting, reporting, KPIs and performance measures.

Skills

People leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Customer service

Communication

Education

GLAM sector qualifications

Job description

Join us as an experienced leader and help shape vibrant library and cultural spaces where people connect, discover, participate and belong.

• Lead experiences that bring people together across Lake Macquarie’s libraries and cultural spaces.
• Inspire a passionate team to deliver services that make a difference in the community.
• Enjoy flexibility, purpose and impact in a role where no two days are the same.

LET’S EXPLORE THE JOB

Lake Macquarie City Council is looking for a Cultural Experiences Leader to lead the day-to-day operations of one of our cultural facilities and a passionate team delivering services and experiences that connect our community.

This is an exciting 12-month opportunity to bring together people leadership, community engagement, cultural programming and operational management in a role where you can make a genuine difference to how our community experiences our libraries and cultural spaces.

As Cultural Experiences Leader, you’ll be at the heart of delivering vibrant, accessible and welcoming cultural experiences across Lake Macquarie. You’ll lead and support your team, oversee facility operations and work collaboratively with colleagues, community members, volunteers and cultural partners to ensure our services are relevant, innovative and responsive to the needs of our community.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Lead and inspire a team to deliver exceptional customer and community experiences.
• Manage day-to-day operations of a cultural facility, including people, contractors, assets and service delivery.
• Develop and deliver operational business plans that support Council’s strategic direction.
• Shape contemporary programs, activities and services that encourage greater community participation.
• Build community connections through outreach and engagement initiatives that reach people who may not currently access our facilities and services.
• Lead cultural programming and events across areas including arts, music, literacy, technology and heritage.
• Manage budgets, financial reporting, performance measures and KPIs to support strong operational outcomes.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement across customer service, technology, events, programming and retail.
• Work collaboratively across Council’s cultural facilities and with internal and external partners to increase awareness, visitation and participation.
• Support and lead volunteers, recognising the important contribution they make to our community.

This position:

• May operate across departmental service delivery, Monday through to Sunday; 8.00am to 9.00pm.
• Is currently based at Cardiff and Speers Point Libraries and requires flexibility to operate across the network of facilities within the Lake Macquarie local government area.

You’re an experienced and confident leader who knows how to bring people together around a shared purpose. You’re enthusiastic, adaptable and thrive in a dynamic environment where every day brings new opportunities to connect with people and make a difference.

You’ll be able to balance people, operations and community outcomes, while remaining approachable, visible and connected to the customers and communities you serve. You’ll be comfortable leading diverse teams, engaging with a wide range of audiences and using technology to enhance service delivery and customer experiences.

You will bring a genuine passion for lifelong learning, exceptional customer service and creating a positive and supportive team culture. You’re a creative and pragmatic thinker who can identify opportunities, solve problems and turn ideas into practical outcomes.

Most importantly, you’ll bring energy, curiosity and a strong community focus, with a commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive and engaging library and cultural experiences for everyone.

You’ll bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Cultural Facility Administration, Gallery, Library, Arts or Museum (GLAM) sector.
• Demonstrated experience managing a cultural facility and delivering cultural services.
• Proven experience managing and delivering a diverse range of community services, activities, programs and events.
• Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to develop, motivate and support a team.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• The ability to develop partnerships and outreach opportunities that broaden community participation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, performance measures and competing operational priorities.

LET’S REVEAL THE PERKS

• Competitive salary, from $90,202 per annum plus 12 % superannuation
• 35-hour working week, nine-day fortnight and flexible working arrangements
• Lead and influence cultural services and community experiences across Lake Macquarie
• Work within Council’s dynamic Arts, Culture and Tourism portfolio
• Be mentored and supported by your Regional Leader in an empowering, innovative and collaborative environment
• Work across some of Lake Macquarie’s unique library and cultural facilities
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing benefits, including discounted gym memberships, wellbeing initiatives, annual flu vaccinations and confidential EAP support
• Free parking within walking distance of your work site
• Plus, plenty of other perks that come from choosing Lake Mac!

CHOOSE THE LAKE MAC WAY

We know it is our people that will shape the future of our city. That’s why we’re passionate about providing a workplace that empowers our staff to be creative, innovative and bold. When you join the team at Lake Macquarie City Council, you’re joining a group of people with a commitment to make our city even better. We’re proud of our city and the work we do, and we know you will be too.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workforce. We believe that a diverse network of employees, which truly reflects the people it serves and represents, is best equipped to understand and meet the needs of our community. We welcome and encourage applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQ+ community, refugees and people with disability. We understand the skills and attributes veterans can bring to our Council.

Lake Macquarie City Council
126-138 Main Road, Speers Point, NSW 2284
Box 1906, Hunter Region Mail Centre, NSW 2310