Stadium Event Manager

AFL - Australian Football League; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work on game days

Development & mentoring

Wellbeing program

Partner offers & discounts

AFL Silver Memberships

Parental leave benefit

Job summary

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, is seeking a full-time Stadium Event Manager to lead end-to-end planning, delivery and review of AFL matches, concerts, and major events. You will coordinate internal teams, clients, tenant clubs, promoters and service providers to deliver safe, high-quality experiences.

Based in Docklands and reporting to the Senior Stadium Event Manager, you will contribute to major events including the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, while improving event planning and delivery through

Qualifications

• At least five years’ experience in the event or venue industry.
• Experience leading operational delivery within an Event Control Room.
• Experience performing Deputy Chief Warden or comparable emergency management role.
• Strong knowledge of venue operations, event planning and crowd management.
• Ability to lead large, diverse workforces through clear direction and decisive action.
• Strong stakeholder management, meetings, briefings and documentation experience.
• Sound judgement managing deadlines in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Take end-to-end responsibility for assigned events from planning to post-event review.
• Develop event plans, schedules, and operational documentation.
• Lead planning meetings and communications with internal teams, clients, and external stakeholders.
• Oversee event-day operations, including the Event Control Room.
• Contribute to Emergency Management Team and safety planning.
• Coordinate contractors and service providers for safe, efficient operations.
• Support stadium projects and major events, including Rugby World Cup 2027.
• Build relationships across stakeholder groups and identify operational risks.
• Lead post-event debriefs and capture key learnings.

Skills

Event management

Stadium events

Emergency management

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Planning & documentation

Communication

Education

Event Management qualification

Job description

Join the team shaping the future of Australia’s game.

This is your chance to do work that has real impact, in an organisation that moves fast, aims high and plays a meaningful role in the lives of millions across the country through football. Every role at the AFL helps progress the game, so more people can love it, connect with it and see what is possible through it.

At Marvel Stadium, that impact extends to one of Australia’s leading sports and entertainment venues. From AFL match days to concerts, international sport, major events, functions and precinct experiences, your work helps bring millions of patrons together and deliver memorable moments in the heart of Melbourne.

The opportunity

We are looking for a full-time Stadium Event Manager to help bring exceptional events to life at Marvel Stadium.

Based in Docklands and reporting to the Senior Stadium Event Manager, you will lead the detailed planning, operational delivery and review of sporting events, concerts, special events and venue hires. You will connect internal teams, clients, tenant clubs, promoters, contractors and service providers to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality event experiences.

You will also contribute operational expertise to stadium projects, including the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, while helping improve the way events are planned and delivered.

What You’ll Own

You will take end-to-end responsibility for assigned events, providing clear direction and sound operational judgement throughout planning, delivery and review.

You’ll Add Value Through

• Managing assigned AFL and AFLW matches, concerts, special events and venue hires from initial planning through to event delivery and post-event review
• Developing accurate event plans, schedules, briefing materials and operational documentation
• Leading planning meetings, briefings and communications with internal teams, clients, tenant clubs, promoters and external stakeholders
• Leading event‑day operations, including activity within the Event Control Room, and ensuring issues are assessed, escalated and resolved effectively
• Performing Deputy Chief Warden responsibilities and contributing to the Emergency Management Team on event and non‑event days
• Coordinating contractors and service providers to support safe, consistent and efficient operations
• Providing operational and technical support for selected stadium events and projects, including the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027
• Building trusted relationships across stakeholder groups, aligning priorities and identifying operational risks early
• Leading structured post‑event debriefs, documenting key learnings and monitoring agreed actions
• Contributing to improvements in stadium operations, service delivery, workforce coordination and the overall event experience
• Using technology and AI to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of event delivery

What You’ll Bring

• At least five years’ experience in the event or venue industry, including at least three years supporting large‑scale stadium events with crowd capacities exceeding 20,000
• Experience leading operational delivery within an Event Control Room
• Experience performing a Deputy Chief Warden or comparable emergency management role in a public event environment
• Strong knowledge of sporting and non‑sporting venue operations, including event planning, crowd management, contractor coordination and emergency management principles
• The ability to lead large and diverse event workforces through clear direction, collaboration and confident decision‑making
• Highly developed stakeholder management and communication capability, including experience leading meetings, delivering briefings and producing professional documentation
• Strong organisational skills and sound judgement, with the ability to manage competing deadlines and resolve issues in fast‑paced operational environments
• A qualification in Event Management or a related discipline
• A collaborative, team‑first approach and a commitment to safe, fair and high‑quality outcomes

Why you’ll love being on our team

At the AFL, you will be part of a values‑led team that aims high, backs each other and brings energy, care and integrity to work that matters. This is a place where people play to win, play as one team and play with passion, while always staying grounded in fairness, inclusion and respect. We work hard, support each other and create the conditions for our people to grow, perform and thrive.

What You Can Look Forward To

• Play The Day Your Way, our flexible approach to working life, built to support you on game day and every day
• My Development, with coaching, mentoring, on-the-job learning and formal development to help you keep building your game
• Play Well, our health and wellbeing programme designed to support a healthy body, healthy mind and healthy workplace
• My Benefits, giving you access to a range of partner offers and discounts through our AFL Corporate Partners
• AFL Silver Memberships for permanent team members, so you can enjoy the action at Marvel Stadium and the MCG with family and friends
• 6 months paid primary parental leave with no qualification period for permanent team members

Everyone has a place here

Our game brings people together, and we want our workplace to do the same.

We are committed to building a culture of belonging and an environment where people feel respected, included and able to thrive, and where diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

Whether you’re a footy fan or new to our game, we welcome everyone to apply. We know great candidates don’t always tick every box. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply, even if your experience doesn’t perfectly match the job description.

The AFL is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care. Please note, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld. This includes ensuring the successful candidate holds a valid employee Working with Children or Vulnerable People check and receives a satisfactory criminal history record check.

Ready to play your part?

Applications close 31 October 2026.