Venue and Programming Manager

The University of Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sydney seeks a dedicated Venue and Programming Manager for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. You will oversee daily operations, coordinate with internal teams and external partners, and drive artistic programming across multiple venues including Parramatta and Macquarie Street campuses.

You will lead masterclasses, VIP events, recitals, and community outreach while ensuring high standards of safety, compliance, and customer experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in venue management and event delivery across performances and events.
• Tertiary qualifications in business or arts administration or equivalent experience.
• Ability to design and deliver artistic programs in theatre or concert settings.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily administration and service delivery for SCM venues and events.
• Coordinate with staff and external partners to program activations and performances.
• Support masterclasses, VIP events, recitals, schools, and community engagement.
• Provide policy guidance and resolve complex issues related to venue operations.

Skills

Venue management

Event delivery

Stage management

Concert production

FOH management

WHS

Education

Business administration

Arts administration

Tools

Venue systems

Sound systems

IT infrastructure

Job description

• Full-time Continuing position, located at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney
• Contribute and manage overall operation of the Conservatorium rooms and performance venues, across the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music
• Base Salary HEO 7, $117,133 p.a. + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music (SCM) is one of the oldest and most prestigious music schools in Australia. It is a distinctive part of Sydney's arts and educational nucleus. The SCM is renowned for its exceptional commitment to music, innovative programs and partnership programs with Australia's major music organisations. Since its inception in 1915, the Conservatorium has played an important role in shaping Sydney's cultural identity.

The Venue and Programming Manager has responsibility for the development, preparation and implementation of events staged at the SCM Parramatta location. They play a key role in the facilitation of public facing events and engagement with the broader Western Sydney community. The position requires flexible working hours with regular evening and weekend work and is responsible for providing a range of logistical and professional support to ensure the smooth and safe running of rehearsals, productions and special events.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• manage the delivery of daily administration activities and services, providing guidance to colleagues on the ongoing activities of the work area, ensuring high quality and efficient administrative support is provided in a pro-active manner to staff, students, clients and visitors develop opportunities with key stakeholders, arts organisations, local community groups, performers and musicians to program activations and performances in the venue
• provide an efficient high-quality communication/coordination and liaison point with staff in the University and key external stakeholders such as performers, clients and guests
• work closely with the Conservatoriums staff to program masterclasses, VIP events, special events, recitals, schools and community engagement and in the space
• provide sound policy and procedural advice to a range of stakeholders
• exercise and build collaborations, initiatives and judgement in resolving sometimes complex problems associated with key accountabilities and related to the work area
• work closely with SCM Parramatta technical team, develops strong competence with venue systems, maintaining staff user guides for a range of event scenarios
• act as an additional specialist venue and event delivery resource for activities and events held at the Macquarie Street campus, Footbridge Theatre and other USYD venues when required.

About you

We are seeking an exceptional Venue and Programming Manager, who possesses:

• experience in venue management and event delivery with demonstratable skills in any number of disciplines including stage management, concert production, technical theatre operations, WHS delivery or FOH management
• tertiary qualifications in business administration or Arts, and/or equivalent relevant experience in arts administration
• previous experience in designing and delivering unique, and/or recurring artistic programs in a theatrical or concert environment
• the ability to identify and develop new relationships with potential users and hirers of the venue
• an understanding of audiences and how to build rapport with audiences to keep repeat visitation and high profile community presence
• experience in developing and implementing event schedules, coordinating performers and managing technical aspects of events in a musical or arts organisation preferred
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and providing excellent customer service
• ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks to meet tight deadlines
• experience in financial management including managing budgets and controlling income and expenditure
• understanding of sound systems, IT infrastructure and event technology
• a driver's licence would be preferrable.

Work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University's obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.