Chief Executive Officer

Sydney Fringe Festival is looking for its next visionary leader

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Sydney Fringe Festival | Sydney, NSW | Full-Time

Are you a visionary leader passionate about the independent arts? Do you thrive on building sustainable organisations, developing innovative partnerships, and inspiring creative teams? The Sydney Fringe Festival is seeking a dynamic Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead Australia’s largest independent arts festival into its next bold chapter.

About Us

Sydney Fringe is a celebration of local artists, audiences, and communities. We champion independent voices and create space for bold, inclusive, and diverse artistic expression across Greater Sydney. Our audiences are at the heart of everything we do—they are our most powerful advocates and the lifeblood of our festival. 

Your Mission as CEO

As CEO, you will be the driving force behind the festival’s strategic direction, financial sustainability, and cultural impact. You’ll lead a passionate team, deepen our support for independent artists, and grow our audience and reputation. This is a rare opportunity to shape a major cultural institution while staying true to its grassroots, artist-led ethos.

• Drive Financial Sustainability: Grow and diversify revenue through grants, philanthropy, earned income, and innovative commercial partnerships and sponsorships.
• Deepen Festival Strengths: Elevate the quality and reach of our programming, support independent artists, and champion audience-first thinking to enhance engagement and experience.
• Inspire and Lead: Shape a strategic vision, foster a high-performing and inclusive team culture, and lead with integrity and creativity.
• Advocacy & Engagement: Be a powerful voice for the independent arts sector and build strong relationships with stakeholders across government, business, and community.
• Deliver with Excellence: Apply strong project management skills to ensure the smooth and impactful delivery of all festival operations and initiatives.

What You Bring

• Proven leadership in the arts, cultural, or not-for-profit sectors
• Strong financial and business acumen, including experience with diverse revenue streams
• A track record of developing strategic partnerships, including commercial and corporate collaborations
• An understanding of the independent arts ecosystem and audience engagement
• Exceptional project management and team leadership skills
• A visionary mindset with the ability to inspire, advocate, and lead with purpose

Why Join Us?

This is your opportunity to shape the future of one of Sydney’s most vibrant cultural institutions. You’ll work with a passionate team, a supportive board, and a community that believes in the power of independent art to transform lives.

Apply Now

Ready to lead with purpose and creativity?

Submit your application now to companysecretary@sydneyfringe.com and be part of something extraordinary.

Applications close: 28 May 2025