Strategy & Projects Lead for Arts & Culture

City of Melbourne; Melbourne; Presencial; AUD 144.000 - 163.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Attractive remuneration & benefits

Excellent leave entitlements

Career progression

Hybrid working

Descripción de la vacante

City of Melbourne is seeking a Strategy, Business and Projects Lead, Experience Melbourne to guide high-impact arts, culture, events and visitor experience initiatives, reporting to the Director Experience Melbourne.

You will lead complex projects, oversee budgeting and planning, and partner with internal teams and external stakeholders to deliver world-class city experiences that boost Melbourne's vibrancy.

Formación

• Experience leading complex arts, culture and events projects.
• Strong strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting skills.
• Ability to build relationships with internal and external partners.

Responsabilidades

• Lead and manage strategic priorities across arts, culture, events and visitor experiences.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, reporting and operational planning.
• Engage with internal stakeholders and external partners to identify opportunities.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and drive improvements.

Conocimientos

Strategic leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Descripción del empleo

Strategy, Business and Projects Lead, Experience Melbourne

• Lead high-impact creative, cultural and strategic projects that contribute to Melbourne's reputation as a world-class city.
• $144,471 - $162,599 + 12% Super
• Permanent, Full Time Opportunity

About the role

The Strategy, Business and Projects Lead, Experience Melbourne offers an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role in supporting Melbourne's thriving arts, culture, events and visitor experience and economy sectors.

Experience Melbourne is responsible for enhancing the city's vibrancy through major events, creative and cultural experiences, strategic partnerships and visitor services and visitor economy initiatives. From iconic events such as Moomba, Now or Never and New Year's Eve to supporting myriad events and initiatives that celebrate Melbourne's cultural identity, the branch plays an important role in connecting people with the city and each other.

Working closely with the Director Experience Melbourne and the Branch Leadership Team, you will provide strategic advice, lead complex projects and oversee key business planning and operational activities that support the delivery of branch priorities. This is an opportunity to bring your strategic expertise and understanding of Melbourne's cultural, tourism and events landscape to a role that helps shape the experiences that make our city unique.

A little more about the role

• Leadthe planning and delivery of strategic priorities and complex projects across arts, culture, events and visitor experiences, ensuring alignment with broader organisational objectives.
• Oversee key business management activities, including strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial management, performance reporting and risk management to support informed decision-making.
• Support and build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, creative, event and tourism partners and representatives. to strengthen collaboration and identify new opportunities.
• Provide high-level strategic advice to the Director and Branch Leadership Team, driving continuous improvement and effective delivery of branch priorities.

Located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, Melbourne is globally recognised as one of the most liveable, diverse, and dynamic cities.

At the heart of it all is the City of Melbourne – a passionate, purpose-driven organisation where your work truly matters. As part of Team Melbourne, you will help deliver what is most important to the people who live, work, study, visit and invest in our great city.

We are proud champions of diversity, committed to continuous improvement, and driven by a shared vision for a vibrant and sustainable future.

This is more than just a role – it is your chance to make a real impact, contribute to something bigger, and shape Melbourne’s future alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking team.

About you

You are a strategic and collaborative leader with a genuine passion for arts, culture and Melbourne's experience industries. You understand the importance of visitor experiences, major and cultural events and industry partnerships in shaping a vibrant and connected city.

You bring a strong combination of strategic thinking, commercial and business acumen, and project leadership, with the ability to navigate complex organisational environments and translate priorities into meaningful outcomes.

What your experience might look like

• Demonstrated experience working within the creative industries or events sector, with a strong understanding of tourism, visitor economy, creative projects and industry stakeholders.
• Significant experience in strategic planning, project management and business leadership, with the ability to manage complex initiatives and competing priorities.
• Strong business and financial management skills, including experience in budgeting, forecasting, performance reporting and operational planning.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships, influence senior leaders and collaborate with diverse internal and external partners.
• Proven ability to lead and manage continuous improvement, organisation change and provide strategic advice, while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

Benefits of working with us

• Attractive remuneration & benefits: Excellent pay package with a range of exciting benefits. Flexible working, study assistance & other great corporate discounts.
• Excellent leave entitlements: Enjoy up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave for primary carers, in addition to the government-funded parental leave, with no waiting period to access. Part-time equivalents are also available for added flexibility.
• Career progression: Career development support and opportunities to learn new skills within a creative and exciting environment.
• Work-life balance and hybrid working: We support flexible hours, alternative work arrangements (like ADOs), and hybrid work-from-home options.

How to apply

We'd love to hear how you can make an impact in this role! As part of your application, you will be required to:

• Attach your updated resume (max three pages)
• Include a cover letter (max two pages) outlining your relevant experience, addressing the Key Selection Criteria and why you're a great fit for this role

Submit your application no later than 11:45pm onSunday, 25 October 2026.

A few important things to note – don’t miss out!

• Applications must be submitted online. Unfortunately, we can’t accept applications via email, so please be sure to apply through the official job link provided.
• Apply early! Applications are actively being reviewed throughout the advertising period, and we may close this advertisement before the listed closing date if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications. To ensure you have the opportunity to be considered, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.
• We are a child safe organisation. The City of Melbourne has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All employees undergo thorough safety screening, including a Police Check and a Working with Children Check.

Need more info?

Refer to the position description below or contact Emer Harrington – Director Experience Melbourne, ***************@melbourne.vic.gov.au.

Inclusion matters

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of all ages and faith backgrounds.

We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application prompts or inform our Careers team if you’re contacted for an interview.

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