Senior Producer, First Nations

Adelaide Festival Centre; South Australia; On-site; AUD 95,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$15 staff tickets to performances

10% discount at F&B outlets

Flexible working arrangements

Free annual flu vaccination

Access to Employee Assistance Program

Breastfeeding-friendly workplace

Child Safe Environment

Job summary

Adelaide Festival Centre invites a Senior Producer, First Nations, to lead, program and develop a year‑round slate of First Nations projects in our riverfront precinct. You will shape opportunities for South Australian artists and communities, ensuring accessibility and impact across AFC venues and major events.

You will work across AFC’s annual program, mentor staff, manage budgets and collaborate with DreamBIG and Cabaret Festival to identify artists and programs.

Qualifications

• Identify and access future audience box office potential of a wide range of arts presentations.
• Previous experience in the presentation and/or production of the performing arts, with particular experience in management of special projects and events.
• Ability to develop and monitor budgets.
• Sound project management skills with ability to work within agreed budget.
• A good understanding of the arts/entertainment industry.
• Experience with contracting artists.
• Experience preparing proposals for management consideration (Highly desirable).
• Experience with drafting funding applications (Highly desirable).
• Tertiary qualifications in arts management or related areas (Highly desirable).

Responsibilities

• Identify, scope, manage and deliver a year-round program of First Nations projects for presentation or development with a focus on access, theatre, dance, music, participation and community in line with the Adelaide Festival Centre strategic plan, including but not limited to OUR MOB and OUR YOUNG MOB.
• Manage budgets for Adelaide Festival Centre First Nations Programs relating to AFC presents programming, and relevant community programs, to ensure programs are delivered smoothly, stay on budget and achieve box office/attendance targets.
• Develop, manage and monitor project budgets and oversee First Nations Programming year-round budget in consultation with Head of Education and Engagement.
• Develop and maintain an awareness of the local performing arts industry and its activities to identify and support the continued development and growth of First Nations work at Adelaide Festival Centre.
• Develop and maintain an awareness of the national performing arts industry and its activities to identify activities for Adelaide Festival Centre.
• Identify and communicate industry or market trends in relation to First Nations work that will have an impact on Adelaide Festival Centre.
• Prepare proposals, in liaison with Programming, Marketing, Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy Teams, for approval by Management and Trustees including rationales, risk assessments, budgets, pricing strategies, sensitivity analyses, schedules and contractual details.
• Lead the development, logistics and delivery of the annual OUR MOB and OUR YOUNG MOB exhibition with the support of the AFC exhibitions team.
• In consultation with DreamBIG Festival and Cabaret Festival identify First Nation artists and programs for those festivals.
• Mentor, teach and support any First Nations Program Coordinator and/or First Nations Foundation Fellow.
• In consultation with the CentrED Team support the planning, programming and delivery of the Adelaide Festival Centre First Nations Schools programs including all performances, and workshops.
• Manage Producers, Assistant Producers, Program Coordinators and Interns responsible for implementing and maintaining First Nations programs, schedules, systems and operating procedures to ensure the effective delivery of events, including creating and maintaining databases, event grids, artist itineraries, artist rehearsal schedules, travel and accommodation schedules and other scheduling as required.

Skills

Audience potential

Arts production

Budget development

Project management

Arts industry knowledge

Contracting artists

Funding proposals

Funding applications

Arts management qualifications

Education

Arts management qualification

Job description

Full time vacancy on a 2-year fixed term contract

Unique opportunity based in the riverside precinct at the iconic Adelaide Festival Centre

Salary range $95,000-$100,00 plus 12% superannuation

Lead, manage and deliver a year-round program of First Nations projects

About Adelaide Festival Centre

Established in 1973, Adelaide Festival Centre is South Australia’s principal performing arts venue and a leading Asia-Pacific cultural centre.

We present a bold, diverse program of festivals, events and performances year-round - inspiring, educating and entertaining audiences of all ages and cultures.

As the home of the performing arts in South Australia, we’re proud to deliver exceptional experiences for audiences, artists and partners, while fostering a supportive and collaborative workplace for our team.

Adelaide Festival Centre operates four major venues in the Adelaide CBD - Festival Theatre, Dunstan Playhouse, Space Theatre and Her Majesty’s Theatre

About the Role

Adelaide Festival Centre’s Education and Engagement Team is responsible for delivering the Centre’s artistic objectives relating to education and community engagement.

Its mission is to provide a diverse and balanced range of arts and entertainment programs that support the growth of the arts across Australia and South Australia, while making creative and effective use of Adelaide Festival Centre venues. This helps to:

Create opportunities for South Australians to experience arts and entertainment.

Ensure the viability of AFC programs and their alignment with Adelaide Festival Centre’s Strategic Plan.

We are recruiting for a Senior Producer, First Nations to program and at times develop projects which promote Adelaide Festival Centre as an inclusive and accessible cultural venue for all South Australians. The role will focus on showcasing, supporting and where appropriate, developing projects that celebrate the work, voices and creative talents of First Nations artists and creatives.

Working across Adelaide Festival Centre’s annual program and festival offerings, the role will encompass a diverse range of creative practices, including mainstage theatre, dance, music, hybrid work, literary elements and community projects among other creative pursuits by First Nations artists. The Senior Producer will also work collaboratively with Adelaide Festival Centre’s festivals to strengthen the presence of First Nations work across their programs and support meaningful opportunities for independent South Australian artists.

Key Responsibilities

Identify, scope, manage and deliver a year-round program of First Nations projects for presentation or development with a focus on access, theatre, dance, music, participation and community in line with the Adelaide Festival Centre strategic plan, including but not limited to OUR MOB and OUR YOUNG MOB.

Manage budgets for Adelaide Festival Centre First Nations Programs relating to AFC presents programming, and relevant community programs, to ensure programs are delivered smoothly, stay on budget and achieve box office/attendance targets.

Develop, manage and monitor project budgets and oversee First Nations Programming year-round budget in consultation with Head of Education and Engagement.

Develop and maintain an awareness of the local performing arts industry and its activities to identify and support the continued development and growth of First Nations work at Adelaide Festival Centre.

Develop and maintain an awareness of the national performing arts industry and its activities to identify activities for Adelaide Festival Centre.

Identify and communicate industry or market trends in relation to First Nations work that will have an impact on Adelaide Festival Centre.

Prepare proposals, in liaison with Programming, Marketing, Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy Teams, for approval by Management and Trustees including rationales, risk assessments, budgets, pricing strategies, sensitivity analyses, schedules and contractual details.

Lead the development, logistics and delivery of the annual OUR MOB and OUR YOUNG MOB exhibition with the support of the AFC exhibitions team.

In consultation with DreamBIG Festival and Cabaret Festival identify First Nation artists and programs for those festivals.

Mentor, teach and support any First Nations Program Coordinator and/or First Nations Foundation Fellow.

In consultation with the CentrED Team support the planning, programming and delivery of the Adelaide Festival Centre First Nations Schools programs including all performances, and workshops.

Manage Producers, Assistant Producers, Program Coordinators and Interns responsible for implementing and maintaining First Nations programs, schedules, systems and operating procedures to ensure the effective delivery of events, including creating and maintaining databases, event grids, artist itineraries, artist rehearsal schedules, travel and accommodation schedules and other scheduling as required.

Skills & Experience

Ability to identify and access future audience box office potential of a wide range of arts presentations.

Previous experience in the presentation and/or production of the performing arts is required, with particular experience in the management of special projects and events

Ability to develop and monitor budgets.

Sound project management skills with ability to work within agreed budget

A good understanding of the arts/entertainment industry.

Experience with contracting artists.

Experience preparing proposals for management consideration (Highly desirable)

Experience with drafting funding applications (Highly desirable)

Tertiary qualifications in arts management or related areas (Highly desirable)

Why Join Us?

Adelaide Festival Centre employs more than 400 staff across areas including technical and production, patron services, hospitality, marketing, programming, and corporate services.

When you join our team, you’ll help bring the arts to life in the Festival State while working in a vibrant cultural environment.

Our staff benefits include:

$15 staff tickets to performances across our venues

10% discount at Festival Centre food and beverage outlets

Flexible working arrangements

Free annual flu vaccination

Access to our Employee Assistance Program

Breastfeeding-friendly workplace

Approved Child Safe Environment

Our Commitment

Adelaide Festival Centre is located on Kaurna Yarta. We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the Traditional Custodians of the Adelaide Plains and honour their ongoing connection to land and culture.

We are committed to reconciliation and inclusion through our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and strive to be an employer of choice for First Nations people.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Enquires can be directed to Susannah Sweeney, Head of Education and Engagement via email to @adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au