Assistant Site & Logistics Manager

Sculpture by the Sea is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Assistant Site & Logistics Manager

We are seeking an experienced candidate with an enthusiasm for what our organisation seeks to achieve for the artists and the public.

The successful candidate will commence work in early June 2025 as preparations begin for Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2025 and with ongoing work for the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail in NSW.

About Sculpture by the Sea

Sculpture by the Sea Incorporated (‘SXSINC’) is a not for profit organisation and the main offices are based in Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW.

SXSINC produces the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibitions which are an annual series of free to the public major outdoor sculpture exhibitions held for 18 days on the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk in Sydney in late October to mid-November and Cottesloe Beach in Perth each March.  All types of sculpture are selected for exhibitions by exhibiting artists from all over the world.   The Bondi exhibition features over 100 sculptures annually and is visited by an estimated 400,000 – 480,000 people each year.  The Cottesloe exhibition features over 70 sculptures and is visited by an estimated 220,000 – 250,000 people.  In 2023 Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2023 celebrated 25 exhibitions and in 2024 Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe celebrated its 20th annual exhibition.

In addition to the Sydney and Perth exhibitions, our organisation established the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail (SVST) in response to the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20 in partnership with the local communities as a significant new permanent collection of public sculpture located in the Snowy Valleys in southern New South Wales. Initially funded by a $4M Bushfire Local Economic Recovery grant, the SVST comprises over 60 sculptures in 12 locations spread across 150km along the Snowy Valleys Way – the back road between Sydney and Melbourne. The SVST winds through the historic towns of Tumut, Adelong, Batlow, Talbingo, Tumbarumba, the hamlet of Tooma, and the vineyards of Courabyra Wines, Johansen Wines and Obsession Wines, and the Sculpture Forest in the Bago State Forest with sites at Laurel Hill, Pilot Hill Arboretum and the 1.5km Alpine Ash Walk at Pilot Hill.  In March 2025 the SVST expanded to include the town of Khancoban, with future expansion forecasted.

The Sculpture Forest collection is a new cultural tourism initiative developed in partnership with Forestry Corporation NSW funded by a NSW Regional Tourism Activation Fund grant and in part by donations.  

Our Mission Statement

To stage major free to the public sculpture exhibitions that transform beautiful locations into large temporary sculpture parks for all to enjoy.  We have the interests of sculptors at the core of what we do and aim to provide an appropriate level of financial and in-kind support to the exhibiting sculptors to facilitate their careers and Sculpture as an Art form in Australia.  Through staging free exhibitions, we aim to engender a greater sense of community while projecting the host city in a dynamic and sophisticated, yet relaxed light, nationally and internationally.

Position Description

The Site Management team currently has a full time Site and Logistics Manager (NSW). We also forecast recruitment of a Site and Logistics Manager (WA) to commence in the role based in Western Australia following the announcement of our Call for Submissions for Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2026. We are seeking to recruit one full time permanent position of Assistant Site Manager based in Sydney to commence work in early June 2025, which will service both the NSW and WA Site and Logistics Manager roles. The Assistant Site Manager works closely with and reports to the Site and Logistics Manager(s).

The role is permanent full time, based in Sydney in our Surry Hills office. There is also a period of five to six weeks from mid-February to end of March each year where the role will be based in Perth for the Cottesloe exhibition. Staff travel and accommodation is provided for this period away from Sydney.

The Site Management team is responsible for the planning and site operations associated with installation of all sculptures and exhibition infrastructure, and works closely with exhibiting artists to assist them with the technical aspects of producing, transporting and installing their sculptures. In addition, the Site Management team oversees the day-to-day operation of the exhibition sites across Australia whilst in show-mode.

The Assistant Site Manager also works closely with and reports to the Site and Logistics Manager(s) to manage international, interstate and local freight logistics. This includes advising artists on the most reliable and economical method of transporting their sculpture to site as well as moving sculptures and infrastructure as required for the Sculpture by the Sea primary exhibitions in Cottesloe and Bondi and other supplementary exhibitions including the permanent Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail.  The successful candidate  will also work closely with the Site & Logistics Manager(s) and Sculpture Sales team to arrange quotes for delivery and install of sculptures sold at exhibition and throughout the year. The role is also responsible for managing the inventory and logistics associated with our storage facilities.

This position is suitable for an applicant with the requisite skills seeking an entrance to an interesting career of art installation and event delivery.  The ideal candidate may be someone who has had experience in the arts, events, or construction industries and is looking to diversify their experience and apply their skill set to a specialized area of arts and events.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Working under the direction and guidance of the Site and Logistics Manager(s), undertake planning, and coordination of artwork installations for exhibitions (Bondi, Cottesloe, and Snowy Valley Sculpture Trail);
• Manage and coordinate the facility and inventory maintenance of the NSW and WA storage facilities, including artwork logistics and condition reporting;
• In collaboration with the Site and Logistics Manager(s), coordinate artwork logistics, both domestic and international, between artists and logistics providers, maintaining up to date and accurate record keeping and cost control;
• Ensure logistics planning and execution satisfies exhibition timelines;
• Contribute to the overall planning, artwork installation, and site construction for exhibitions;
• In collaboration with the Site and Logistics Manager(s), create resourcing and crew management schedules for the exhibitions;
• Ensure risk management and operational procedures are kept up to date and adhered to, including maintenance of data related to staff licenses and certifications, and records of procedure and policy acknowledgements;
• Manage sourcing/recruitment of temporary Site Crew for each exhibition, including interviewing and selecting personnel with appropriate skills, experience, and certifications;
• Drive the management of Site Crew resources during exhibition, including scheduling, and provision of services to other departments as required;
• Manage and Coordinate the booking of temporary infrastructure, machinery and equipment;
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of annual Budgets;
• Assist the Site and Logistics Manager(s) to coordinate delivery and install of sold sculptures during exhibition and throughout the year;
• Maintenance of internal databases and record keeping;
• Reconciling supplier invoices and payments;
• Assist the Site and Logistics Manager(s) with other duties as required throughout the year.

Required skills, knowledge & personal attributes:

• Strong computer skills, especially Word, Excel and Outlook, and preferably CAD and/or Project Management software;
• Excellent organizational skills and file management;
• Experience in events, festivals, or the arts;
• Experience in Site Operations or Site Construction settings;
• Good team building and team management skills in short-term, fast-paced exhibition environments;
• A “the show must go on”, composed and adaptable attitude in intensive exhibition environments;
• Strong Leadership and mentoring skills.
• Ability to identify and mitigate risk independently, and update Risk Management processes accordingly;
• Knowledge of Site Safety and Construction Industry processes and norms.
• Experience dealing with suppliers and contractors; and
• Valid Australian C class driver license.

Desirable

• Knowledge of materials and fabrication processes and hands-on experience of construction;
• Strong rational and problem solving skills;
• Experience loading trucks and containers;
• Interest in the visual arts and working with artists.
• Interest in working with artists/sculptors and a knowledge of sculpture in public places/exhibitions
• First aid current
• White card current
• Knowledge of national and international freight operations;
• Telehandler license, EWP license, Forklift license, or rigging tickets.

Salary

Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

 Salary Range

$90,000 to $95,000 plus Super, when working full time

To Apply

Please send a cover letter detailing your interest in and suitability for the role and a resume to kamile.horn@sculpturebythesea.com