Positions Vacant

Head of Production (contract position)

Position: Full time contract position (37.5hpw); in the two weeks leading up to the festival you may be required to work outside of normal hours
Duration: May – August 2021 (inclusive)
Reports to: Festival Director, Festival Board
Direct reports: Site Manager, Site Assistant, Volunteer Coordinator, Event Manager

Byron Writers Festival is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for presenting the annual Byron Writers Festival, Australia’s largest and leading regional celebration of storytelling, literature and ideas.

The Head of Production is part of the Festival Management Team, overseeing key managerial and operational responsibilities in order to deliver a successful 2021 Byron Writers Festival (6-8 August 2021).

Essential Criteria

• Clean full drivers license
• Demonstrated high level experience relevant to production and/or operations management of a major event
• Demonstrated management experience with high level of creative thinking, financial, strategic and analytical skills
• Demonstrated people management skills and ability to manage staff
• Ability to assist across a broad range of areas in the management a large-scale community event
• Budget management
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work as part of a team under pressure
• Proficient in IT

Desired criteria (but not essential):

• Knowledge of Byron Writers Festival

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Develop and manage Production and Operations budgets and assist in the financial management of the Festival
• Liaise with Elements of Byron, Byron Shire Council and all relevant Festival service providers, partners and other production/operations stakeholders
• Oversee site operations pre- and during the Festival in liaison with the Site Manager and Event Manager including site set-up, parking, gates, disability access, infrastructure, DA, waste management, pack-down
• Oversee site production elements pre- and during the Festival in liaison with the Event Manager and Site Manager including AV and tech, stage management, signage
• Creation of Festival production schedules
• Be involved in risk management planning and ensure all legal, risk management and WHS requirements are met through consultation with the Event Manager and Site Manager, including Covid-Safety planning
• Liaise with the Volunteer Coordinator to oversee recruitment and rostering of Festival volunteers
• Initiate and manage pre-Festival production meetings to plan the Festival event and coordinate all relevant personnel
• Carry out production-related duties that support implementation of the artistic program
• Troubleshoot and solve problems, in any festival related areas, as necessary
• Assist in the supervision of trainees or volunteers relevant to the production/operations side of the Festival
• Day to day management of direct reports
• Attend post-Festival debriefs as required

Applications via job listing on seek.com
Applications close 22 April 2021.

Festival Site Assistant (contract position)

Position: Site Assistant contract position $4,000
Resports to: Site Manager
Liaises with: Head of Operations, Head of Development, Elements of Byron staff, Festival Administrator, Communications Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, ticketing, Festival vendor and suppliers, arts & community organisations, volunteers & schools

Site Assistant manages all aspects of event logistics relating to the site creation of the annual Byron Writers Festival.

This is a short-term contract with an opportunity to advance to Site Manager in 2022 and beyond.

Criteria

• Drivers license
• Previous experience in outdoor events and/or festivals
• Knowledge of spreadsheets and MS Office
• Good communication skills
• Knowledge of Council DA compliance
• Available for 2022
• Must live locally, within driving distance of Byron Bay

Responsibilities

• Driving (4WD ute)
• Refuelling generators
• Respond to calls from the team throughout the Festival
• Coordinating site infrastructure
• Building temporary fencing
• General ground maintenance
• Liaise with suppliers
• Overseeing artisan market stalls
• Assisting the Site Manager with problem solving
• Maintaining the Festivals standard
• Adhering to WHS and Covid regulations
• Be onsite at 6am (during the four days over the Festival, 5-8 August) to allow public beach access
• Assemble and position all marquee signage
• Must be available for two consecutive weeks over the Festival period (28 July – 11 August inclusive) with various days on grounds upkeep leading up to the Festival.

Applications via job listing on seek.com
Applications close 22 April 2021.

Volunteer Opportunities

Should you wish to volunteer in the office for the annual Festival, please head to our Volunteer page for more information.