Looking to dive into a new challenge and make a big, art-shaped splash while you’re at it? We’re on the hunt for an arts manager with high-level project management skills to join our team as Program Manager (Sector Leadership).

The Program Manager (Sector Leadership) is an exciting new role at Melbourne Fringe that will manage our creative commissions and year-round sector leadership programs, with responsibility for their planning, project management and program delivery. This work is underscored by Melbourne Fringe’s commitment to cultural equity and supporting our communities of focus: First Peoples, people of colour, Deaf, disabled, trans and gender diverse people.

This brand new role will be responsible for delivering our creative commissions and year-round sector leadership programs like Springboard, Deadly Fringe and XS, from start to finish. They’ll be the one dishing out the big bucks (read: over $500,000 in creative commissions) and making all the big-buck-related admin happen — things like contracts, invoices and budgets.

Working with the Head of Programs & Projects, the Program Manager (Sector Leadership) will identify and develop new strategic partnerships with arts and community-based organisations that can further develop Melbourne Fringe’s ability to support the independent arts sector. Melbourne Fringe has undertaken an incredible shift of focus in recent years, now working year-round to deliver sector leadership programs and development and presentation opportunities in our venue Fringe Common Rooms, in addition to our annual Festival. We have exponentially grown our support of independent artists, and through successful fundraising and advocacy we are now able to deliver a suite of commissions and sector development programs almost unheard of in the context of an open access festival. The Program Manager (Sector Leadership) is a key position in the next stage of Melbourne Fringe’s growth trajectory. 

We’re looking for someone with experience working in the context of festivals, arts organisations or cultural and community development, as well as a natural flair for creativity. The perfect candidate will have experience in and a passion for working with people from all walks of life and will share Melbourne Fringe’s strong commitment to cultural equity.

So if planning, project management and communication are your bread and butter, and a good excel spready gets you out bed in the morning, pour yourself a cuppa (and pop the aforementioned bread in the toaster) and apply now.

A position description is attached.