Events & Sponsorship Manager

Modern Star; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Modern Star in Australia is seeking an experienced Events & Sponsorship Manager to lead one of the largest and most varied events programs in the education sector. You will manage 100+ events per year, lead a team and steward the annual events and sponsorship budget.

You will oversee major national expos, conferences and educator workshops, coordinate with Sales and Category teams, and drive a stronger multi-brand event presence to maximise commercial impact.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing a large and complex events program.
• Strong people leadership experience.
• Excellent event production, operations and logistics capability.
• Experience delivering major exhibitions, conferences or large-scale activations.
• Strong budget and supplier management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple events, deadlines and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own the planning and delivery of 100+ events each year across our Education brands.
• Lead and develop the events team, setting priorities and creating a high-performing events function.
• Manage an annual events and sponsorship budget.
• Lead our presence at major national expos, conferences and industry events.
• Oversee smaller educator, principal, customer and professional-learning events throughout the year.
• Own event delivery from beginning to end — venues, exhibition space, stand builds, signage, collateral, promotional items, samples, stock, registrations, travel, accommodation and on-site delivery.
• Embed lead capture, customer follow-up and measurement into the events program.

Job description

Modern Star is looking for an experienced Events & Sponsorship Manager to lead one of the largest and most varied events programs in the Australian education sector. This is an events role with genuine scale: 100+ events every year, a team to lead and an annual events and sponsorship budget to manage. From major national exhibitions and conferences to educator workshops, principal events and smaller industry gatherings, you'll lead the team responsible for bringing our brands to life wherever educators come together.

Key responsibilities

Own the planning and delivery of 100+ events each year across our Education brands

Lead and develop the events team, setting priorities and creating a high-performing events function

Manage an annual events and sponsorship budget

Lead our presence at major national expos, conferences and industry events

Oversee smaller educator, principal, customer and professional-learning events throughout the year

Own event delivery from beginning to end — venues, exhibition space, stand builds, signage, collateral, promotional items, samples, stock, registrations, travel, accommodation and on-site delivery

Lead the evolution toward a stronger multi-brand Modern Star event presence, bringing our brands together where it creates greater impact

Work closely with Sales and Category teams to determine event themes, products, demonstrations, workshops, speakers and staffing

Build strong relationships with event organisers, suppliers, associations and education-sector partners

Embed lead capture, customer follow-up and measurement into the events program so we can continually improve its commercial impact

About you

Significant experience managing a large and complex events program

Strong people leadership experience

Excellent event production, operations and logistics capability

Experience delivering major exhibitions, conferences or large-scale activations

Strong budget and supplier management skills

The ability to manage multiple events, deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously

High standards for brand presentation and customer experience

Strong commercial instincts and an interest in measuring the impact events create

The confidence to work across Sales, Marketing, Category and senior leadership to get things done

About us

Modern Star is Australia's leading provider of educational, play and creative resources. Across our Education businesses, we work with early learning centres, schools and educators every day, helping create the classrooms and learning environments where children learn, create and grow. Modern Star brings together some of Australia's best-known education brands, including Modern Teaching Aids, Zart Art, CleverPatch, Hart Sports, Educating Kids, Batger and Elizabeth Richards.