Program Manager (8-month maternity leave contract)

Role Description

Role Purpose

Reporting to the CEO & Artistic Director, the Program Manager plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering a high quality, meaningful and dynamic annual program of events and activities to support the realisation of the artistic and strategic vision for Byron Writers Festival. This role develops and delivers a diverse and inclusive range of programming, partnerships and content to engage priority audiences and communities with transformational experiences, including the annual Byron Writers Festival.

Working closely and collaboratively with the CEO & Artistic Director, this creative role includes co-curation of the annual Festival program and year round program of events, activities and content. The Program Manager is responsible for the management and delivery of the Byron Writers Festival program including publisher and artist liaison and management; program scheduling; and onsite artist/author management; as well as co-ordination of year-round events, workshops, residencies and mentorships, and the programming and development of digital content.

The position works to uphold Byron Writers Festival’s commitment to best-practice community arts and cultural development in all Byron WF programs, demonstrating self-determination by communities and innovation in creative expression.

Key Accountabilities

• Collaborates with the CEO & Artistic Director to co-curate the annual Byron Writers Festival program and the annual program of activities and events.
• Contributes to development and delivery of content strategies and plans to engage audiences digitally with Byron Writers Festival.
• Manages all aspects of program development and delivery including artist and publisher liaison and management; program content development; scheduling, event co-ordination and evaluation.
• Manages and delivers out of season events, workshops, residencies and mentorships, and the programming and development of digital content.
• Develops and manages cultural and sector partnerships that support the realisation of Byron WF strategic and artistic objectives.
• Engages and manages personnel, contractors and consultants engaged to develop and deliver programs or activities. Oversee all tasks undertaken by those positions, assigning activities, managing priorities, and coordinating workloads to ensure the smooth delivery of events, programs and content.
• Point of contact for writer members. Devises and evaluates activities for writers to identified needs for this segment.
• Supports the Manager, Artist Care and Audience Experience to secure travel arrangements and identify special production requirements for authors and program participants.
• Works collaboratively with the Byron WF team to support delivery of core business activities by providing information, advice and reporting on programs activity in a collegiate and timely manner.
• Fosters and maintains relationships with authors, key industry representatives and sector partners and maintains a strong and current understanding of current best practice, issues affecting the literary, arts and cultural sectors.
• Manages and tracks the programs budget for the Byron Writers Festival to deliver all program activity within budget.

Essential Requirements

1. Proven track record in literary and ideas programming, with strong acumen for artist care and relationship management.
2. Proven success in delivery of events, workshops, and similar activities.
3. Knowledge and experience of literary, arts and cultural sector and current best practice and issues.
4. Strong administration and event management skills.
5. Knowledge and aptitude for personnel management.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, please read the position description in full, which can be found here

Written applications should include:-

1.     a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role and interest in working with Byron Writers Festival;

2.     a resume / curriculum vitae

3.    contact details of two referees who can comment on your competency in regard to the selection criteria.

Please address application to Zoe Pollock, and email to [email protected]

Please combine your application into a single PDF or Word document.

If you have further questions regarding the role, please email [email protected] or call the Festival office on 02 6685 5115.

Closing date: Sunday 5 February