Full Time | Ongoing

Geelong Arts Centre; Geelong; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Geelong Arts Centre seeks a Senior Manager, Presenter Services to lead the Presenter Services team, ensuring seamless end-to-end event coordination and optimal use of venues across all spaces in Geelong.

You will engage with presenters, hirers and tenants, oversee charging and budgeting, and represent the Centre at industry events to foster collaborations and growth. Strong leadership and communications are essential.

Qualifications

• Qualification in arts, event or venue management or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience leading a high-performing team in a multi-venue events environment.
• Ability to concurrently manage complex events, logistics and stakeholder relationships at scale.
• Strong commercial acumen with pricing, venue optimisation and financial analysis.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end event coordination across all Centre venues and spaces.
• Drive commercial optimisation of venue utilisation and revenue opportunities.
• Manage complex stakeholder relationships including presenters, hirers and tenants.
• Represent the Centre at industry events, forums and conferences to strengthen relationships.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Event coordination

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Arts/Event/Venue management qualification

Job description

Geelong Arts Centre is one of eleven Victorian State Government owned creative organisations under the umbrella of Creative Victoria. Since opening in 1981, Geelong Arts Centre has made significant artistic and cultural contributions to Geelong and the surrounding regions.

Geelong Arts Centre is currently undergoing a period of exciting and dynamic change. To meet the cultural needs of a growing population and help secure Geelong’s position as a global city, the Victorian State Government, through Creative Victoria, has committed funding for three stages of capital development. Stage One - the refurbishment of The Playhouse Theatre was completed in 2010. Stage Two - the Ryrie Street Redevelopment ($38.5m) was completed November 2019 and opened to the public on 7th November 2019. Stage Three - The Little Malop Street Redevelopment ($140m) commenced in 2019 and is planned for completion in 2023. This investment will result in a world‑class arts facility becoming the cultural heart of Geelong and the G21 region.

Led by a dynamic CEO and Leadership Team, your contribution and expertise will be highly valued. We offer a great working environment in the creative heart of Geelong, working alongside passionate people who are committed to community and the Arts.

About the role

The Senior Manager, Presenter Services provides functional leadership for the Presenter Services team and is responsible for the planning, delivery and continuous improvement of high‑quality services, experiences and support for presenters, hirers and tenants across all Centre venues and spaces.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the role ensures seamless end‑to‑end event coordination, commercial optimisation of venue utilisation, and effective management of complex stakeholder relationships.

The Senior manager also represents the Centre at Industry events, networking forums, trade shows and sector conferences to strengthen relationships, promote the Centre and identify opportunities for collaboration and commercial growth.

The Senior Manager acts as the second‑in‑charge (2IC) to the Director, Production and Presenter Services, representing the function internally and externally and making operational decisions in the Director’s absence.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Relevant professional qualification in arts, event or venue management, or equivalent professional experience in the entertainment, events or venue management sectors.
• Demonstrated experience leading a high‑performing team in a multi‑venue, multi‑hirer performing arts or events environment.
• Proven ability to concurrently manage complex events, logistics and stakeholder relationships at scale.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in business development, pricing, venue optimisation and financial analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve complex issues, negotiate outcomes and manage competing stakeholder needs in a high‑pressure environment.
• Strong understanding of event delivery processes, risk management and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated capacity to design, implement and improve operational processes and systems.
• High‑level interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Knowledge of the creative industries performance environment, including key stakeholders and sector dynamics.

Other requirements

• Flexibility in working hours to support daytime, evening, and some weekend work will be required as part of the normal hours of duty for this position.
• The following checks, licences and certifications are required for this role: Working with Children’s Check (employee)

Applications close Midnight Wednesday 28 October 2026

Applicants will be required to undergo police and identity screening. First round interviews will be conducted either face‑to‑face or online. Geelong Arts Centre is an equal opportunity employer and values the contribution that diversity brings to the workplace.

Geelong Arts Centre is strongly committed to the safety and well‑being of all children that interact with our organisation.We have zero tolerance for child abuse.

Geelong Arts Centre encourages and welcomes applications from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders People.

Applications are open to those with full-working rights in Australia.