Operations Manager

Adelaide Fringe; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Adelaide Fringe is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the festival's day-to-day operations across venues, logistics and teams, ensuring seamless delivery and support for strategic priorities.

The role requires strong planning, risk management and facility safety awareness in a dynamic arts environment. This is a full-time position with a flexible start after 21 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in operations management or similar role.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience managing operational budgets, contracts, procurement and supplier relationships.
• Proven track record delivering organisational projects and continuous improvement.
• Experience developing and implementing operational systems, policies and procedures.
• Strong understanding of facilities management and organisational operations.
• Experience with digital business systems and platforms.
• Knowledge of Workplace Health & Safety principles and risk management.
• Desirable: experience in arts, events or festival sectors.
• Hold a current Full C Class Driver’s Licence.

Skills

Operations leadership

Team leadership

Budget & procurement

Project management

Ops systems

Facilities management

Digital platforms

HSE & risk

Arts/festival experience

Driver licence

Job description

Applications close: 11 Oct 2026 (Midnight Adelaide time)

POSITION: Operations Manager

REPORTS TO: Executive Director – Operations & Finance

EMPLOYMENT: Full time
START DATE: 21 Oct 2026 - Flexible

ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Education / Experience

• Demonstrated experience in an operations management, business operations or similar leadership role.
• Proven experience leading, developing and managing high-performing teams.
• Experience managing operational budgets, contracts, procurement and supplier relationships.
• Demonstrated experience leading organisational projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing and implementing operational systems, policies and procedures.
• Strong understanding of facilities management and organisational operations.
• Experience working with digital business systems and operational platforms.
• Understanding of Workplace Health & Safety principles and organisational risk management.
• Previous experience working within the arts, events or festival industry (desirable).
• Current Full C Class Driver’s Licence.

Soft Skills & Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture while maintaining operational excellence.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, mentor and develop others.
• Highly organised with excellent planning and prioritisation skills.
• Proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of professionalism, integrity and discretion.
• Committed to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Calm and resilient under pressure with the ability to manage competing priorities.

We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Peoples and welcome applications from those frommarginalisedgroups.

Due to the high volume of applications received we will only contact successful candidates.