Operations Manager

Melbourne Racing Club; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ongoing learning and development

Exposure to leading industry forums

Employee Assistance Program

Racing Industry passes and free event票

Free onsite parking

Parental, volunteer and cultural leave

Job summary

Melbourne Racing Club is seeking an Operations Manager to join the Operations team on a full-time permanent basis. You will lead the delivery of Racedays, major events and functions across Caulfield, Mornington and Sportsbet Sandown, guiding planning through live execution.

The role requires 3+ years in event operations, a tertiary qualification in Venue Management, strong stakeholder and budget management, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years’ experience in event operations, logistics or venue management.
• Tertiary qualification in Venue Management or equivalent experience.
• Strong experience delivering end-to-end operational event planning, coordination and execution.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, complex workloads and deadlines under pressure.
• Experience managing relationships with clients, suppliers, contractors and key stakeholders.
• Strong financial awareness, including budget tracking, expense management and reporting.
• Solid understanding of compliance requirements within public events and/or venue operations.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of Racedays, events and motorsport across venues, from planning through to live execution.
• Shape operational plans and overlays to match the pace, scale and complexity of each occasion.
• Maintain event ready venues year-round, ensuring high presentation standards and smooth delivery during redevelopment and major works.
• Oversee event set-ups and temporary infrastructure, ensuring compliance with all building, occupancy and event permitting requirements (POPE).
• Coordinate Raceday workforce planning across Event Staff, Security and Cleaning, ensuring everything is in place for a seamless delivery.
• Act as the key point of contact for contractors and stakeholders, delivering smooth execution on the ground and continuous improvement across operations.
• Manage operational systems and budgets, with a focus on cost control and continuous improvement across event delivery.

Skills

Event operations

Budget awareness

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Planning

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Tertiary qualification in Venue Management

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an Operations Manager to join our Operations team on a full-time permanent basis. Working across Caulfield, Mornington and Sportsbet Sandown, you’ll lead the delivery of Racedays, major events & functions and motorsport events across some of Victoria’s most recognised racing and event venues.

From big-picture planning to on-the-ground execution, you’ll be at the centre of bringing events to life, leading operations, managing stakeholders and driving high standards across every part of the venue experience.

If you get a buzz from racing & live events and seeing everything come together on the day, you’ll thrive in this role.

About Us

Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) is an iconic sporting and entertainment organisation with a proud 150-year legacy. While we’re renowned for hosting elite horse racing at Caulfield, Sportsbet Sandown and Mornington Racecourses, we’re also so much more. From vibrant events and functions to our 17 Pegasus Leisure Group (PLG) hospitality venues across Victoria and community initiatives through the MRC Foundation, we’re dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences for our guests, members and community.

In The Saddle

• Lead the operational delivery of Racedays, events and motorsport across all venues, taking them from planning through to live execution.
• Bring events to life by shaping operational plans and overlays that match the pace, scale and complexity of each occasion.
• Maintain event ready venues year-round, ensuring high presentation standards and smooth delivery during redevelopment and major works.
• Oversee event set-ups and temporary infrastructure, ensuring compliance with all building, occupancy and event permitting requirements (POPE).
• Coordinate Raceday workforce planning across Event Staff, Security and Cleaning, ensuring everything is in place for a seamless delivery.
• Act as the key point of contact for contractors and stakeholders, delivering smooth execution on the ground and continuous improvement across operations.
• Manage operational systems and budgets, with a focus on cost control and continuous improvement across event delivery.

Your Track Record

• Minimum 3+ years’ experience in event operations, logistics or venue management within fast-paced, high-volume environments (racing industry experience highly desirable)
• Tertiary qualification in Venue Management or equivalent experience
• Strong experience delivering end-to-end operational event planning, coordination and execution
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, complex workloads and competing deadlines under pressure
• Experience managing relationships with clients, suppliers, contractors and key stakeholders.
• Strong financial awareness, including budget tracking, expense management and reporting.
• Solid understanding of compliance requirements within public events and/or venue operations.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-focused approach.

As part of a live events environment, flexibility is required to work across weekends, public holidays, and outside standard business hours depending on event schedules.

The Perks

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Exposure to leading industry forums and partnerships across major sporting and events venues.
• Access to our year-round well-being initiatives including our Employee Assistance Program for staff and family.
• Racing Industry Member passes, discounts across our family of brands and free tickets to a wide range of events to enjoy with friends & family.
• Free onsite parking.
• Leave options that suit your lifestyle, including paid parental leave, volunteer leave and cultural leave.

Melbourne Racing Club values differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation and encourages all suitable applicants to apply for this role.