About the Role

The McKell Institute is seeking a Director of Events based in our Sydney headquarters. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Events will lead the strategic development and delivery of high-quality events across Australia to elevate the Institute’s external profile and support McKell’s continued growth.

This role requires someone highly adaptable, pragmatic, and emotionally intelligent who can collaborate with McKell’s small team to contribute to shaping the public policy landscape by executing a program of impactful conversations. The Director of Events will work directly with the Executive team and will receive administrative support from the Office Manager.

Full time is preferred, but part time arrangements will be considered for suitable candidates. WFH & flexible work arrangements are available. Some travel may be required.

About the Institute

The McKell Institute is a leading progressive public policy think tank. Headquartered in Sydney, the Institute has offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. We work closely with stakeholders in government, civil society, corporate Australia, and the trade union movement to advance practical, progressive public policy reforms. McKell has played a critical role in major reforms in recent years, including the introduction of a minimum wage in horticulture, the rollout of community batteries and Free TAFE policies.

In addition to our comprehensive research and advocacy program, McKell hosts a suite of events throughout the year featuring speakers across Federal and State Governments, senior business figures, international dignitaries and other policy thought leaders. The Institute is a modest size non-profit with a small, dynamic team spread across five states.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-end event management: Design and execute McKell’s national events program across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
• Stakeholder collaboration: Work closely with the Institute’s stakeholders across government, members, and internal McKell board and team to align the events program with strategic objectives, and to secure sponsorship for events from the network of McKell’s members across the corporate, union and non-profit sectors.
• Vendor management: Coordinate and manage relationships with event suppliers, venues, onsite staff, contractors, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Speaker coordination and attendee management: Proactively seek out speakers for McKell’s events stream, manage briefings and act as point of contact for speakers, and oversee event registration and attendee logistics using the Institute’s CRM system (Active Campaign – training can be provided).
• Financial oversight: Ensure events are carried out in line with budgetary constraints and manage event-related invoicing and payments.
• Ongoing evaluation: Develop evaluation metrics to track the success of the events program via attendee and member feedback, to use these insights for continuous improvement.
• Event marketing and communication: Lead the promotion of events via multiple channels including social media and manage event collateral in line with brand guidelines.

Essential Attributes

• Qualifications or equivalent experience in events, communications, external engagement, brand development or a related field.
• Minimum three years’ professional experience in events management.
• Strong project management skills with excellent organisational skills, and an ability to prioritise and manage multiple deadlines.
• Demonstrated problem solving, creative and interpersonal skills.
• Proven experience in stakeholder management and networking, including outstanding written and oral communication skills.

Desired Attributes

• Experience working in a government, public policy, think tank or non-profit environment.
• Fundraising experience.
• Marketing/communications experience.

The McKell Institute recognises that our work benefits greatly from the unique skills and expertise of individuals of diverse experiences and aims to create a culture that is respectful and inclusive. First Nations peoples, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are encouraged to apply.

For more information on the role, please contact Jesse Kartomi Thomas via [email protected] using the subject line: Director of Events enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.