Senior Manager, Event Programs

UNSW; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 129,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Options

3 days leave during December shutdown

Career development opportunities

Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses

Flexible 17% Superannuation

Discounts and entitlements

Job summary

UNSW is seeking a Senior Manager, Event Programs to lead the multidisciplinary Event Programs team within the Division of Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement. You will direct strategic planning, creative programming, audience development and stakeholder engagement to deliver flagship events such as the Centre for Ideas and related activations.

This role requires strong leadership, governance, budgeting and risk management across complex projects, plus the ability to work with senior

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering large-scale events.
• Experience within events, arts, creative industries, media, communications, marketing, PR or public engagement environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills with senior executives, academics, partners and suppliers.
• Experience overseeing event marketing strategy, audience development and digital engagement.
• Knowledge of budgeting, contract management, governance and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Event Programs team with strategic direction, coaching and oversight across events, activations, partnerships and engagement initiatives.
• Oversee planning and delivery of flagship event programs including the Centre for Ideas with exceptional audience experiences and stakeholder engagement.
• Drive audience growth, public engagement and program innovation through creative programming, marketing oversight and data-informed decisions.
• Provide senior leadership across event governance, contracts, risk management, budgeting and reporting for complex projects and partnerships.
• Collaborate with senior university leaders, academics, external partners and industry to deliver impactful thought leadership and engagement opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting

Contract management

Risk management

Audience development

Negotiation

Creative programming

Partnerships

Education

Tertiary qualification in a related field

Job description

• Remuneration: Level 9, From $143,000 + 17% Superannuation (depending on experience)
• Location: Kensington (Hybrid working arrangement)
• Employment Type: Continuing, Full Time

This Job is based in Australia

About UNSW

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

About The Role

As Senior Manager, Event Programs, you’ll lead the team in delivering exceptional experiences that inspire conversation, challenges perspectives and connect people with the ideas shaping our world. Through this, your work will be contributing to UNSW’s vision of Progress for All, demonstrating the significant impact the university has on society. Sitting within the Division of Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement (DSIEE), Strategic Events delivers a high-profile portfolio of public events, activations, partnerships and engagement initiatives that connect UNSW research, ideas and expertise with broader audiences. The Event Programs team leads the delivery of the Centre for Ideas, UNSW’s flagship thought leadership platform, which brings leading thinkers, provacateurs, academics, industry and the community together to explore the pressing issues that matter. This is a rare opportunity to lead a talented, multidisciplinary team of event producers, marketers and engagement specialists, overseeing the development and delivery of innovative event programs that elevate UNSW’s profile and create meaningful audience experiences. The role combines strategic leadership, creative direction, stakeholder engagement and operational oversight, making it ideal for an experienced events leader with a passion for programming, audience development and public engagement. The role reports to the Director of Strategic Events and has four direct reports, with other agency and contractor staff responsibility.

Your Focus

• Lead and develop the Event Programs team, providing strategic direction, coaching and oversight across a portfolio of events, activations, partnerships and engagement initiatives.
• Oversee the planning and delivery of flagship event programs including the Centre for Ideas, ensuring exceptional audience experiences, strong stakeholder engagement and achievement of strategic objectives.
• Drive audience growth and diversification, public engagement and program innovation through creative programming, marketing oversight and data-informed decision making.
• Provide senior leadership across event governance, contracts, risk management, budgeting and reporting, ensuring successful outcomes across complex projects and partnerships.
• Collaborate with senior university leaders, academics, external partners and industry stakeholders to deliver impactful thought leadership and engagement opportunities.

Who You Are:

You are an experienced events leader who is confident translating big ideas into exceptional audience experiences, motivated by the opportunity to deliver programs that inform, inspire and spark meaningful conversations and action.

An accomplished people leader, who can bring talent together, set a clear vision for the team and create an environment where people can do their best work.

With a strong background in creative programming, audience engagement, events, media, arts, marketing or related sectors. Comfortable operating strategically while remaining connected to event and operational delivery, building stakeholder relationships and navigating complexity with confidence.

Your Skills And Experience

• A relevant tertiary qualification and extensive relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering large-scale events, activations, public programs or engagement initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience within events, arts, creative industries, media, communications, marketing, PR or public engagement environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior executives, academics, partners, talent and external suppliers.
• Experience overseeing event marketing strategy, audience development, communications, ticketing and customer engagement in a digital environment.
• Knowledge of budgeting, contract management, governance and risk management, coupled with the ability to lead teams through ambiguity and changing priorities.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to exercise initiative, adaptability and sound judgement, and proactively develop strong solutions to complex challenges.

For further information on the role & responsibilities, please refer to the position description (found on job listing on JOBS@UNSW).

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.

UNSW Benefits and Culture:

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
• Additional 3 days leave during December shutdown period.
• Career development opportunities
• Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
• Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading paymentsand salary sacrifice.
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)

Job queries contact:

For queries on the recruitment process, please contact Rachel Darcy: [e-mail]

Please note applications sent directly to the contacts above cannot be accepted.

Pre-Employment Checks:

As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.