Programming Director

Empire Theatre; Toowoomba Regional; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Discounted tickets

Employee assistance program

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

The Empire Theatre in Toowoomba is seeking a Programming Director to lead the artistic vision, forward programming and commercial performance across the regional precinct. You will identify, secure and curate a dynamic calendar, balancing community access with artistic excellence and financial sustainability.

Reporting to the CEO, you will manage the Programming department, engage promoters and Youth Arts initiatives, and collaborate across operations, marketing and finance to deliver

Qualifications

• Significant senior experience in performing arts programming or related field.
• Proven success curating diverse programs and initiating creative projects or collaborations.
• Demonstrated ability to secure and negotiate commercially viable performances, hires and partnerships.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and risk management capabilities.
• Established industry relationships and knowledge of national touring, presenting and regional arts markets.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing across operational functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead artistic vision, curation and forward programming across The Empire precinct.
• Identify and secure commercial and community venue hires, developing promoter and partner relationships.
• Develop strategies to maximise utilisation, revenue and community access while balancing artistic priorities.
• Oversee department leadership, staffing, budgeting and cross-functional delivery with other teams.
• Represent The Empire in industry forums and position the precinct as a sought-after partner for presenting and producing.

Skills

Artistic leadership

Negotiation & deals

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

The Empire is the largest regional performing arts precinct in the country and a hub for creative arts development in the region. Renowned for its classic art deco architecture, the heritage-listed theatre is a premier performance venue, wholly owned by Toowoomba Regional Council.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Programming Director is a key member of The Empire’s executive leadership team, responsible for the artistic vision, strategic curation, commercial performance and forward programming of the precinct. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the role shapes a compelling, diverse and financially sustainable calendar that balances artistic excellence, audience demand, community access and commercial opportunity.

The Programming Director actively identifies and secures commercial and community venue hires, develops relationships with promoters and presenters, and maximises utilisation and financial contribution across the venues. Equally, the role looks to the future: conceiving and initiating new programming collaborations, co-productions, and creative experiences that enrich the cultural life of Toowoomba and the broader region.

The role leads the Programming department and provides direction to the Program & Engagement Manager and Youth Arts Manager, enabling strong artistic, community and youth program within agreed strategic and financial parameters. Working across the organisation, the Programming Director ensures programming decisions are artistically ambitious, commercially sound and operationally achievable.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

The role of Programming Director will be required to:

1. Artistic Leadership, Curation & Forward Programming

Lead the artistic vision and curation of the annual and multi-year performance program across The Empire precinct, balancing commercial, artistic, community and youth priorities.

Proactively research audience interests, market trends, emerging artforms and touring opportunities to identify work that broadens participation and strengthens the precinct’s distinctive identity.

Originate and champion new programming initiatives, commissions, collaborations and co-productions that enrich the cultural life of Toowoomba and the region.

Guide the artistic direction and priorities of the Program & Engagement and Youth Arts portfolios, encouraging managers to develop and propose new work.

Maintain a forward programming pipeline and coordinate calendar priorities, programming decisions and recommendations within approved delegations.

2. Commercial & Community Venue Hire

Lead the full commercial and community venue hire portfolio, including proactive business development, enquiries, quotations, negotiation, booking confirmation and oversight of agreements.

Build and maintain productive relationships with commercial promoters, touring producers, corporate clients, community organisations and local presenters.

Develop strategies to increase utilisation, booking conversion, repeat business and commercial returns while protecting appropriate access for community and artistic activity.

Oversee accurate booking records, contractual documentation and timely handover of confirmed activity to Operations, Production, Ticketing, Marketing and Finance.

Coordinate the administrative booking function directly and supervise casual or other support personnel if engaged; continually improve workflows and service standards.

Financial Performance & Commercial Sustainability

Lead development and management of programming and venue hire budgets, forecasts, commercial assessments and revenue targets in partnership with the Business Services Director.

Evaluate proposed programming and hire opportunities against expected revenue, contribution margin, artistic value, audience outcomes, risk and available venue capacity.

Monitor ticket sales trends, hire revenue, booking pipeline, venue utilisation and forecast variances; recommend timely corrective action.

Negotiate commercially appropriate hire, presenting, licensing and co-producing arrangements within delegated authority and ensure commitments are documented.

Identify partnerships, co-investment, sponsorship and funding opportunities that strengthen the financial capacity to deliver artistic and youth programs.

3. Financial Performance & Commercial Sustainability

Lead development and management of programming and venue hire budgets, forecasts, commercial assessments and revenue targets in partnership with the Business Services Director.

Evaluate proposed programming and hire opportunities against expected revenue, contribution margin, artistic value, audience outcomes, risk and available venue capacity.

Monitor ticket sales trends, hire revenue, booking pipeline, venue utilisation and forecast variances; recommend timely corrective action.

Negotiate commercially appropriate hire, presenting, licensing and co-producing arrangements within delegated authority and ensure commitments are documented.

Identify partnerships, co-investment, sponsorship and funding opportunities that strengthen the financial capacity to deliver artistic and youth programs.

4. Partnerships, Producing & Sector Development

Initiate and develop strategic relationships with artists, companies, festivals, producers, promoters, presenters and funding partners locally, nationally and where appropriate internationally.

Lead the assessment and development of co-presentations, co-productions and original projects, including business cases, partner negotiations and project governance.

Champion regional artists and creative pathways and identify opportunities for The Empire to contribute to sector development and cultural vibrancy.

Represent The Empire at industry forums and actively position the precinct as a sought-after presenting, producing and hire partner.

5. Department Leadership & Cross-Functional Delivery

Lead and support the Program & Engagement Manager and Youth Arts Manager, providing clear direction, fostering professional development and supporting succession planning.

Oversee departmental priorities, staffing and resource planning, ensuring projects are delivered within approved budgets, schedules and organisational policies.

Work with Operations and Production on feasibility, technical requirements, scheduling and safe delivery; with Marketing on audience strategy and campaign planning; and with Ticketing and Finance on reporting and settlements.

Promote an inclusive, collaborative and accountable culture that supports artistic ambition, service excellence and sound risk management.

6. Executive Leadership, Governance and Reporting

Contribute to organisational strategy, annual business planning, financial sustainability and the development of The Empire’s long-term cultural offering.

Provide the CEO and Board with clear programming and commercial performance reports, forecasts, insights, risks and recommendations.

Ensure appropriate contract management, delegations, recordkeeping, child safety, WHS and other applicable compliance requirements across the portfolio.

Champion continuous improvement and responsible stewardship of the organisation’s financial, cultural and community resources.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Significant senior experience in performing arts programming, presenting, producing, venue management or a related field, with demonstrated artistic judgement and commercial acumen.

Proven success curating diverse programs and initiating creative projects, collaborations or co-productions.

Demonstrated ability to secure and negotiate commercially viable performances, events, venue hires and partnerships.

Strong financial capability in budgeting, forecasting, assessing contribution and managing commercial risk.

Established industry relationships and knowledge of national touring, presenting and regional arts markets.

Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, developing managers and influencing across operational functions.

Excellent strategic thinking, communication, negotiation, stakeholder engagement and project management skills.

Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent substantial professional experience.

Experience in a multi-venue regional performing arts precinct.

Experience in commissioning, festival development, grant partnerships and community-engaged programming.

Understanding of local government-controlled entities and regional cultural development.

LICENCES AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Open Drivers Licence

QLD Working with Children Car

Criminal History Check

THE EMPIRE BENEFITS

Flexible working arrangements

Discounted tickets to performances

Friendly, motivating and supportive team environment

Dedicated Employee Assistance Program

Organisation wide committment to vision, purpose and values

Located in Queensland’s largest inland city renowned for its beautial scenery and peaceful atmosphere

The Empire is an Equal Opportunity Employer that provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.