Venue Manager

Fitzroy St Theatre; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Fitzroy Street Theatre in Melbourne is seeking an experienced Venue Manager to lead day-to-day operations, drive bookings and ensure high standards across events, ticketing and customer service.

You will coordinate staff, liaise with producers and suppliers, manage budgets and safety, and deliver an outstanding experience for artists and audiences.

This hands-on role suits a commercially minded professional who thrives in a fast-paced live entertainment environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in venue management or live entertainment.
• Strong sales, negotiation and client relationship skills.
• Excellent organisational and leadership abilities.
• Comfort working evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of Fitzroy Street Theatre.
• Coordinate venue access, rehearsals, performances, events, bump-ins and bump-outs.
• Manage venue schedules, bookings and operational calendars.
• Liaise with hirers, producers, production teams, artists, contractors and suppliers.
• Oversee ticketing setup and management for venue events where required.
• Monitor sales performance and provide relevant reporting to management and producers.

Skills

Venue management

Sales

Negotiation

Staff management

Customer service

Tools

Ticketing systems

Event software

Job description

Fitzroy Street Theatre is seeking an experienced, commercially minded and hands-on Venue Manager to oversee the day-to-day operation, growth and presentation of the venue.

This is a broad and varied role suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced live entertainment environment and enjoys taking ownership across operations, venue hire sales, customer service, ticketing, staffing and event delivery.

The Venue Manager will be responsible for ensuring the theatre operates efficiently, professionally and safely, while also actively driving venue hire opportunities and delivering an excellent experience for producers, hirers, artists and audiences.

You will be the central point of contact for the venue and will work closely with management, producers, suppliers, contractors, staff and clients to ensure every event is delivered to a high standard.

Key Responsibilities

Venue Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of Fitzroy Street Theatre.
• Ensure the venue is presented, maintained and operated to a consistently high standard.
• Coordinate venue access, rehearsals, performances, events, bump-ins and bump-outs.
• Manage venue schedules, bookings and operational calendars.
• Liaise with hirers, producers, production teams, artists, contractors and suppliers.
• Ensure all venue equipment, facilities and public areas are operational and appropriately maintained.
• Coordinate cleaning, security, maintenance and other venue services as required.
• Identify operational improvements and implement systems that increase efficiency and improve the customer experience.

Venue Hire Sales & Business Development

• Manage incoming venue hire enquiries from initial enquiry through to confirmation.
• Proactively identify and develop new venue hire opportunities.
• Conduct venue inspections and meetings with prospective hirers.

Prepare venue hire proposals, quotes and packages.

Negotiate commercial terms with clients and producers.

Prepare, issue and manage venue hire agreements and contracts.

Maintain strong relationships with existing clients and encourage repeat business.

Monitor the local market and identify opportunities to increase venue utilisation and revenue.

Maintain an accurate pipeline of prospective and confirmed bookings.

Event & Production Management

• Work with clients to understand the operational and technical requirements of their events.
• Coordinate event schedules, staffing requirements, technical needs and venue logistics.
• Ensure relevant event information is communicated clearly to all departments and contractors.
• Oversee events and performances as required, including evenings and weekends.
• Troubleshoot operational issues quickly and professionally.
• Ensure events are delivered in accordance with venue policies, contracts and agreed requirements.

Ticketing & Customer Service

• Oversee ticketing setup and management for venue events where required.
• Coordinate event builds, pricing, allocations, holds, promotions and ticketing requirements.
• Respond to customer enquiries relating to performances, tickets, accessibility and venue information.
• Manage ticketing issues, exchanges, refunds and customer concerns in accordance with venue policies.
• Work with ticketing platforms and event producers to ensure accurate event information and reporting.
• Monitor sales performance and provide relevant reporting to management and producers.

Marketing Support

• Support marketing activity for Fitzroy Street Theatre and its events as required.
• Ensure event listings, venue information and promotional materials are accurate and up to date.
• Coordinate with producers and marketing teams regarding venue assets, signage, promotional opportunities and campaigns.
• Assist with social media, email marketing, database activity and local area marketing where required.

Identify opportunities to increase the profile of the theatre within the entertainment, corporate and local community markets.

Staff Recruitment, Training & Management

• Recruit casual and operational venue staff as required.
• Prepare staff rosters in line with event requirements and budgets.
• Induct and train staff in venue procedures, customer service standards, emergency procedures and operational expectations.
• Lead and supervise front-of-house and venue staff during events.
• Build a positive, professional and accountable workplace culture.
• Monitor staff performance and address training or performance issues where required.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained while controlling labour costs.
• Assist with venue budgets, forecasts and financial reporting.
• Monitor venue hire revenue, event costs, staffing costs and operational expenditure.
• Coordinate invoicing, deposits, bonds and payments relating to venue hire.
• Ensure contracts, booking documentation and client records are maintained accurately.
• Provide regular updates and reports on bookings, sales activity, upcoming events and operational matters.
• Assist management with developing pricing structures, packages and commercial initiatives.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure the venue operates in accordance with relevant occupational health and safety requirements.
• Maintain emergency procedures and ensure staff understand their responsibilities.
• Ensure appropriate licences, permits, insurance requirements and compliance documentation are maintained.
• Conduct or coordinate venue inspections and risk assessments where required.
• Ensure incidents are appropriately documented, escalated and managed.
• Maintain safe working practices for staff, contractors, performers and patrons.

About You

We are looking for someone who is confident taking ownership of a venue and understands that running a successful theatre requires both strong operational discipline and a commercial mindset.

You will ideally have:

Experience in venue management, theatre management, live entertainment, hospitality, events or a similar environment.

Strong organisational and operational management skills.

Experience dealing with clients, producers, promoters or event organisers.

Strong sales, negotiation and relationship-management skills.

Confidence preparing proposals, quotes and commercial agreements.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong customer service instincts and the ability to manage difficult situations calmly and professionally.

Experience recruiting, rostering, training and managing casual staff.

An understanding of ticketing systems and box office operations.

Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously.

Commercial awareness and an understanding of budgets, labour costs and venue profitability.

A proactive, solutions-focused approach and willingness to be hands-on when required.

Confidence working independently while maintaining clear communication with senior management.

Availability to work evenings, weekends and public holidays when required by the venue's event schedule.

Experience within theatre, performing arts or live entertainment will be highly regarded.

What Success Looks Like

The successful Venue Manager will:

• Keep the theatre running smoothly, safely and professionally.
• Grow venue hire enquiries, confirmed bookings and repeat business.
• Develop strong relationships with producers, hirers and industry partners.
• Deliver consistently high standards of customer and audience service.
• Maintain efficient staffing and operational costs.
• Ensure events are well planned and executed.
• Build strong systems and processes that allow the venue to operate efficiently.
• Establish Fitzroy Street Theatre as a welcoming, professional and sought-after venue within Melbourne's entertainment and events community.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take ownership of an exciting St Kilda venue and play a significant role in its growth.

The position offers considerable variety, combining venue management, events, sales, customer experience and live entertainment. It will suit someone who enjoys being at the centre of the action and wants the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the success of a venue.