About the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) is the union and leading advocate for workers in the media and creative industries and has over 15,000 members.

Our strategic plan focusses attention on the needs of media and creative workers as well as on the communities and audiences who depend on and deserve authentic cultural expression, and the journalism needed for a thriving democracy.

We recognise that our members and communities will be best served and represented when we put First Nations people first and act on the principles of inclusivity, access and participation.

As part of our work in supporting public interest journalism, MEAA hosts awards for excellence in journalism in Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. These awards are recognised as the pinnacle of journalism in each state or territory and include the prestigious journalist of the year award.

To continue the legacy of these prestigious awards, we are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Events and Awards Manager. In this dynamic role, you'll lead the organisation of these media award events across Australia, collaborate with top journalists and industry leaders, liaise with sponsors, and secure key partnerships to bring these events to life. If you thrive in a fast-paced, creative environment and are ready to make an impact on the media landscape, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your talent and drive.

Our Members

Our members include people working in television, radio, theatre and film, entertainment venues and recreation grounds, as journalists, actors, dancers, sportspeople, cartoonists and photographers, orchestral and opera performers, as well as people working in public relations, advertising, book publishing and website production.

Our Locations and Staffing

The MEAA national office is in Redfern in Sydney.

There are branch offices located in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.

Position - Events and Awards Manager – State Media Awards (Full time, Fixed Term 12 months)

MEAA is looking to appoint an Events and Awards Manager to be responsible for the event and award management of MEAA’s five annual State Media Awards in line with MEAA strategy and budgets.

This role is a full-time fixed term role based in Sydney from December 2024 for a period of twelve months. This position will report to Deputy Chief Executive or his delegate.

Responsibilities:

MEAA State Awards and Events Management

• Attend, oversee and implement quality events in Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, WA and the Northern Territory line with MEAA budgets
• Implement event planning and scheduling
• Work closely with the state awards committees
• Negotiate with suppliers and event sponsor contracts to deliver successful outcomes
• Ensure sponsors benefits are delivered
• Deliver marketing and communication materials for each event
• AV creation and management for events, including co-ordination of all finalist material and production of packages for each awards presentation
• Script coordination
• Secure and coordinate volunteers to assist at each event
• Ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the entry and judging process
• Assist journalist entrants with queries about process
• Engage with media organisations
• Co-ordination of judging procedures including managing the judging process online, preparing all material for judging, all communications with judges and addressing issues when required
• Ensure diversity across all judging panels
• Work with comms team to ensure top level communication
• Maintain/increase number of entries across all awards
• Successfully produce the award entry site for all award programs
• Ensure key industry bodies and individuals with each state's knowledge are consulted for judging
• Develop timelines and procedures for award entries and judging
• Ensure the awards remain relevant and accessible to all journalists and the wider media landscape
• Utilise the award entry site and process for all state media awards
• Contact person for all State awards inquiries
• Design and printing liaison for all State Media Awards collateral
• Develop accurate collateral and communication for both entries and judging
• Coordinate communication with finalists on the awards.

MEAA State Awards – Partnerships

• Ensure all sponsor and partner benefits are met and implemented through State Awards
• Deliver data and budgets on time
• Deliver sponsorship funds required for each event
• Ensure that major news organisations in each state are engaged with the state awards
• Ensure acquittal reports are prepared

General Support

• Support and work with staff from MEAA’s professional development arm, the Equity Foundation (EF), if required, across EF events, awards and programs.

About you

Our desired candidate is highly organised and efficient, positive, works well both independently and collaboratively, has excellent time management and interpersonal skills.

You will have the following experience and capabilities:

• Experience and capabilities
• Events organisation experience
• Ability to establish, build and maintain relationships with award and event stakeholders
• Marketing communications
• Strong budget management skills and a track record of operating within financial budgets
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with staff and state media awards committees
• Attention to detail
• A questioning and problem-solving mindset
• Good communication skills and approachable personality - providing assistance to entrants and judges where needed
• Work effectively as a team member
• Complete workflows to deadlines

For further information about MEAA go to www.meaa.org.

A position description is attached.