Major Events Operations Lead

Careers at Council; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 98,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Working Policy

Extended leave entitlements

Health and wellbeing programs

Job summary

Yarra City Council in Melbourne is seeking a Major Events Operations Lead to plan and deliver our flagship festivals, major events and destination activations. You will oversee end-to-end event delivery, focus on safety, governance and contractor management.

Reporting to the Coordinator Festivals and Events, you will build systems for consistent, high-quality production and mentor Event Leads to drive continuous improvement across the portfolio.

Qualifications

• Experience in planning and delivering large-scale festivals, events, activations or public programs.
• Ability to develop and implement event operations, safety, risk and compliance frameworks.
• Proven track record in budgeting, procurement, contracts and service providers.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of complex festivals and major events.
• Oversee event operations, logistics, public safety planning and governance.
• Provide specialist advice and mentoring within a collaborative team environment.
• Develop systems and frameworks to ensure high-quality event delivery and continuous improvement.

Skills

Major events delivery

Event operations

Public safety

Risk management

Contract management

Stakeholder coordination

Continuous improvement

Leadership mentoring

Job description

Major Events Operations Lead
Community Strengthening
Full Time - Permanent
Band 7 – Starting at $ 108,545.62 + super + RDO(RDO applicable for full-time 38 hours per week only).

Why You'll Want to Join Us

• Lead the planning and delivery of Yarra's flagship festivals, major events and destination activations.
• Shape the systems, frameworks and operational practices that support safe, innovative and high-quality event delivery across the municipality.
• Work with a passionate team to deliver events that strengthen community connection, celebrate creativity and contribute to Yarra's cultural and economic vitality.

Benefits Package

• Hybrid Working Policy - For those working full-time hours, 3 days worked in the office and 2 days WFH.
• Exceptional leave entitlements - 16 days personal leave, 18 weeks parental leave, plus cultural leave and compassionate leave.
• Health and wellbeing - Free EAP counselling, discounted leisure memberships, salary sacrifice childcare options and wellbeing initiatives.

About the Role

The Major Events Operations Lead provides specialist operational leadership across Council's festivals and events portfolio and is responsible for the end-to-end planning, production and delivery of Council's flagship and strategically significant festivals and events.

Reporting to the Coordinator, Festivals and Events, you will lead major event projects from concept through to delivery, ensuring events are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with Council requirements and community expectations. The role oversees event operations, logistics, public safety planning, governance, compliance, contractor management and stakeholder coordination.

You will play a key role in driving operational excellence across the Festivals and Events portfolio by developing consistent systems, frameworks and practices that support high-quality event delivery and continuous improvement. The position also provides specialist advice, mentoring and operational support to Event Leads across Council's festivals, civic events and activations program.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced event professional with a strong background in the planning and delivery of large-scale festivals, events, activations or public programs.

This may include:

• Leading the end-to-end delivery of complex festivals, major events or public activations.
• Developing and implementing event operations, public safety, risk management and compliance frameworks.
• Managing event logistics, production, infrastructure and operational delivery.
• Managing project budgets, procurement processes, contracts and service providers.
• Building productive relationships with community organisations, government agencies, contractors, businesses and event stakeholders.
• Developing systems, frameworks and continuous improvement initiatives that support consistent and effective event delivery.
• Providing leadership, advice and mentoring within a collaborative team environment.

At Yarra City Council, we're proud of our inclusive culture, commitment to innovation and focus on creating positive outcomes for our community through exceptional festivals, events and cultural experiences.

Need More Info?

For further information, please refer to the Position Description or contact Penny Kyprianou, Coordinator Festivals and Events, on 03 9205 5*** or at ***************@yarracity.vic.gov.au.

100881 - Major Events Operations Lead - Position Description - September 2026.pdf

Applications close on Wednesday 07 October 2026, at 11:55pm.

Additional Information

This position is subject to satisfactory Police Check, Working with Children Check and Victorian Driver Licence requirements prior to commencement. Pre-employment checks are not used by Yarra City Council to prevent any applicant from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

At Yarra Every Job is a Climate Job!

Acting on the climate emergency requires that we change the way we think, make decisions, and prioritise action. We must embed proactive climate responses in the ways we govern, live our lives, and conduct our work. Every choice we make today and into the future will have an impact; this is true for Council and the community.

Acknowledging the scale of this crisis, at Yarra we are committed to ensuring that every job is a climate job meaning that each staff member will play a key role in shaping our climate response.

Yarra's Commitment to Diversity

Yarra City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation and supports flexible and accessible working arrangements for all. This includes people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people, young people, older people, women, and people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer.

We draw pride and strength from our diversity, remain open to new approaches and actively foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the contribution made by all our people.

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