Program & Events Lead

Comcare (Australian Government); Sydney; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

AFTRS is seeking a Program & Events Lead to manage the operational planning, coordination and delivery of internal and external programs and events. This role supports AFTRS alumni, industry and students, delivering inclusive experiences across campus, external venues and online platforms.

The position reports to the Head of Industry & Alumni Engagement and requires hands-on event production, budget management and strong stakeholder collaboration to drive engagement and growth.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering inclusive, accessible programs and events.
• End-to-end event planning and production including briefs, run sheets and stakeholder coordination.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, timelines and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Deliver internal and external programs and events, including in-person, online and hybrid formats.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to extend reach and engagement.
• Create event briefs, run sheets and risk assessments; manage stage production.

Skills

Program & Events Delivery

Event Planning & Production

Project & Budget Management

Audience Engagement

Stakeholder Management

Technical Production

Risk & Accessibility

Systems & Improvement

Flexibility

Safe Work Environment

Job description

Program & Events Lead – Ongoing, Full Time (5 days per week)

We are looking for an enthusiastic Program & Events Lead to join our Partnerships & Development team. In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Lead high-profile programs and events that connect AFTRS with students, alumni, industry and the wider creative community.
• Shape inclusive, accessible and engaging experiences across in-person, online and hybrid formats.
• Contribute to a nationally recognised creative institution at the centre of Australia’s screen and audio industries.

Salary: AFTRS Level 6 ($88,343 per annum) + 15.4% super, and excellent benefits.

Close Date: The closing date for applications is Sunday 27 September 2026, 11:59pm. Late applications cannot be accepted.

AFTRS is the national screen and audio school – the only Australian education institution to consistently make The Hollywood Reporter's prestigious annual list of the top film schools in the world. Working hand-in-hand with the screen and broadcast industries, AFTRS is a global centre of excellence that delivers the highest level of screen and audio education, training and research across Australia.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Industry & Alumni Engagement, the Program & Events Lead is responsible for the operational planning, coordination & delivery of internal and external programs and events that positively promote, connect and position AFTRS to different audience segments. This hands‑on position delivers programs and events for AFTRS alumni, industry, prospective and current students, educators, government partners, supporters and members of the public interested in screen, audio and media entertainment.

The role coordinates with external & internal stakeholders to extend reach and engagement with AFTRS to new audiences and support the delivery of AFTRS Corporate Strategy. It will ensure delivery of inclusive, accessible, streamlined, creative and cost-effective events that reach intended audience segments on campus, at external venues and online.

Key Accountabilities

• Program and Events Delivery: Develop and implement programs and events that positively position the School. Increase awareness, reach and engagement of audiences and student applications, including:
  • Lead delivery of virtual and in-person programs presented by the School and in partnership with Industry partners and others, reaching a national and international audience.
  • Lead the program development and delivery of major events for students and prospective students, such as Open Day and Graduation.
  • Organise events presented at festivals, conferences and events across the country.
  • Work with the Partnerships & Development and Teaching & Learning divisions to drive awareness and engagement of award course and short course programs.
• Event Planning and Production Processes: Develop and implement processes to streamline events delivery across the School utilising project management methodologies and best practice in event planning and production.
  • Create and disseminate event briefs, risk assessments and run sheets.
  • Stage management, in-person and online events.
  • Engage internal stakeholders to ensure relevant input and programming of events.
  • Generate post event reports and provide recommendations to ensure continuous improvement of AFTRS events.
  • Develop workflows, checklists and scheduling templates to support other departments in the delivery of events.
  • Be available to advise other departments on the successful delivery of their events.
  • Advise on student-led events where needed.
• CRM and Audience Engagement: Actively contribute to the School’s CRM through events, building the database and ensuring targeted, creative and relevant communication with event attendees.
• Budget Planning and Management: Budget planning and management for programs and events.
  • Develop and track expenditure budget ensuring cost efficiency.
  • Develop ways to offset costs of events, introducing charges and paid ticketed events.
• Events Calendar Management: Maintain and publish an online internal and external School-wide calendar of events.
• Building Use Approvals: Manage and process approvals for industry use of AFTRS building in collaboration with the Events Committee.
• Industry Standards and Trends: Stay up to date with current industry standards, trends and processes.
• Internal Stakeholder Support: Provide support to internal stakeholders delivering internal community-led events.
• Other Duties: There may be a requirement to undertake tasks outside the scope of the responsibilities listed to support the organisation. AFTRS will engage in a conversation should these tasks arise.

About you – You Have:

• Program and Events Delivery: Demonstrated experience developing and delivering inclusive, accessible and engaging programs and events, including public-facing, industry, student or community events.
• Event Planning and Production: Strong hands‑on experience in end‑to‑end event planning and production, including briefs, run sheets, stakeholder coordination, supplier liaison and delivery across in‑person, online and hybrid formats.
• Project and Budget Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects, timelines and budgets simultaneously, delivering events to scope, deadline and budget.
• Audience Engagement and Communications: Demonstrated ability to use events to build audience engagement, support organisational objectives and contribute to targeted communications, CRM activity or database growth.
• Stakeholder Management and Influence: Excellent communication, collaboration and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Technical Production: Audio‑visual and technical production skills for live events and streaming.
• Risk, WHS and Accessibility: Experience developing event risk assessments and delivering events that meet WHS, accessibility, cultural safety and psychosocial safety requirements.
• Systems and Continuous Improvement: Experience using event, ticketing, CRM or project management systems, with a track record of improving workflows, templates, processes or reporting.
• Flexibility: Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Safe Work Environments: Experience in fostering culturally and psychologically safe work environments.

Please note that the successful applicant will be required to:

• Hold the unrestricted and indefinite Right to Work in Australia at the time of applying.
• Undertake a NSW Working with Children Check.

Diversity, Flexibility and Accessibility

As a creative organisation, we understand the importance of offering flexible working to support your own creativity, wellbeing, and balance. We will genuinely consider applications for job share and part time working. We also support working from home and flexible working hours.

AFTRS is committed to building a richly diverse staff and faculty. AFTRS actively supports and appreciates workplace diversity, First Nations values, and we strongly encourage and welcome applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a wide range of backgrounds, and people with a disability.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments through our recruitment and selection process. Requests for reasonable adjustments will be treated confidentially and will not disadvantage your application. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please email [e-mail] or call 02 9805 6610. Further information can be found in the AFTRS Candidate Accessibility Pack .