Program & Events Manager

Cairns Regional Council; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 97,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Fitness Passport

5 weeks annual leave

3 weeks personal leave

Parental leave 14 weeks

Learning & development

Salary sacrifice

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Cairns Regional Council is seeking an experienced Program & Events Manager to lead the development and delivery of a vibrant program of arts, cultural, community, and commercial events across the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) and Munro Martin Parklands (MMP).

You will oversee the entire event booking process, build strong relationships with clients, and develop programming opportunities within CPAC and MMP to deliver a dynamic arts calendar for Cairns.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Event Management or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in performing arts and entertainment event administration.
• Experience coordinating events in arts, corporate, or hospitality sectors.
• Strong conceptual, analytical, and research skills for innovative solutions.
• Understanding marketing, audience development, and community engagement for arts programming.
• Extensive knowledge of the arts sector and networks of producers and promoters locally and nationally.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the curated program for CPAC and MMP venues.
• Oversee the event booking process ensuring high-level service for commercial, private and community groups.
• Build and sustain relationships with clients to develop programming opportunities.

Skills

Event administration

Coordination

Marketing & audience

Community engagement

Industry networks

Research skills

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Event Management/Performing Arts

Job description

Program & Events Manager

Requisition Number: 1301

Salary Range: $94,992.79 - $110,382.66 per annum

Position Type: Full-Time Permanent

Location: Cairns Performing Arts Centre

Application Close Date: Sunday, 20th September 2026 at 11.30pm AEST

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Program & Events Manager to lead the development and delivery of a vibrant program of arts, cultural, community, and commercial events across two of Cairns' premier venues, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) and Munro Martin Parklands (MMP).

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Develop and deliver the curated program of council funded and venue hire activation for CPAC and MMP Precinct in line with the strategic arts & cultural initiatives and branch business outcomes.
• Oversee and manage the entire event booking process to ensure consistency in high level service delivery, of commercial, private and community groups.
• To build and sustain on-going relationships with clients to develop programming opportunities within the CPAC and MMP precinct.

What We’re Looking For:

• Tertiary qualifications in Event Management, Performing Arts, or a related discipline; or equivalent demonstrated industry experience.
• High-level experience in performing arts and entertainment event administration.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating or managing events in the performing arts, corporate and/or hospitality industry.
• Demonstrated conceptual, analytical and research skills including the ability to develop innovative solutions, systems and procedures.
• Proven understanding of marketing, audience development, and community engagement in delivering successful arts programming in venues or festival contexts.
• Extensive knowledge of the arts and culture sector, including developed networks of producers, creatives, artists, and professional promoters locally and nationally.

If you are passionate about the arts, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and are ready to make a meaningful impact, we would love to hear from you!

Some benefits we offer:

• Achieve work / life balance with flexible working arrangements
• Fitness Passport - subsidised health and well-being memberships (gym/swimming pool)
• Recharge with up to 5 weeks annual leave
• Up to 3 weeks personal leave
• Cherish family time with up to 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Grow personally and professionally with learning and development opportunities
• Salary sacrifice opportunities
• Relocation assistance may be available for preferred candidates.

We are committed to:

• Fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment
• Embracing innovation and continuous improvement
• Cultivating a culture of professional growth and support