Chief Executive Officer

Global LGBTQIA+ NFP seeks hands-on CEO to lead Mardi Gras into its next era, uniting celebration, community impact and financial sustainability.

Lead the global icon that turns celebration into progress.

An experienced, community-focused CEO is needed for this hands-on role within a globally recognised LGBTQIA+ NFP. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) is where culture, care and courage meet – on streets, stages and screens. We’re a member-based NFP with a 48-year legacy of protest and celebration, now building for the next era: a year-round platform that makes LGBTQIA+SB communities feel safe, seen and free and to address the organisation’s financial position through building sustainable, diverse income streams, strong financial acumen, and sound budget processes. As CEO, you’ll lead the team that converts joy into measurable outcomes – across Parade, Fair Day, Hot Trans Summer, and a growing calendar of programs, partnerships and digital platforms.

• Vital role with focus on stakeholder relationship-building, community engagement, and large-scale events
• Working with passionate and outstanding professionals
• Competitive salary + super + salary packaging + bonus

Chief Executive Officer

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) is a LGBTQIA+ not-for-profit member-based organisation that produces the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade and Festival plus a calendar of events and supportive initiatives. Throughout the year, they celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities, champion creative expression, challenge injustice and elevate diverse voices. It is an organisation that embraces its legacy, ability to unite and give a voice to LGBTQIA+ communities. SGLMG works with government, along with strategic, corporate and community partners to build capacity, and promote equality while producing internationally recognised events.

About the organisation

SGLMG was built on the foundations laid by early community activists who fought for LGBTQIA+ rights in a time of wide-spread, institutionalised oppression and discrimination.

As a proven internationally renowned Parade and Festival and powerful advocate for inclusion and diversity, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is at an exciting phase in its growth. We proudly provide a platform for our LGBTQIA+ communities to share with the world.

SGLMG is excited to be counting down to our 50th anniversary in 2028. To get us there, we are seeking a CEO focussed on ensuring the ongoing sustainability of the organisation far beyond 2028. Leading us to even greater inclusion and presence of SGLMG within and for LGBTQIA+ communities into the future.

Key objectives of the role:

• Provide leadership to a strong, results focused team that is diverse, well supported and encouraged to continuously learn and develop
• To strengthen the organisation’s financial position through diverse income streams, strong financial acumen, and sound budget processes
• To work well with a community elected board, ensuring clear and concise reporting, strong links of communication and a relationship of trust and transparency
• To identify, mitigate, and where possible, remove risks to the organisation through regular assessment, reporting, learning and partnership
• To ensure that SGLMG is a means to support and showcase diversity in the LGBTQIA+ community, creating opportunities for artists and audiences alike, and creating a strong cultural footprint
• To connect and support diverse LGBTQIA+ communities, and collaborate with LGBTQIA+ organisations to provide a unified voice for those communities
• To develop and establish a strong strategic approach to the growth and development of the annual Festival, while enhancing the organisation’s reputation of excellence, representation and expression.
• To include and collaborate with SGLMG members to deliver beneficial events and advocate causes

Knowledge, skills, and attributes:

• Executive, financial and governance leadership – proven experience leading complex arts or not-for-profit organisations, accountable to a volunteer or member-based board, with strong capability in strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and risk management.
• Community engagement and advocacy – commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice, with cultural capability to engage the breadth of LGBTQIA+ communities, our membership and collaborate respectfully with First Nations and other diverse communities.
• Event and industry expertise – experience developing and delivering large-scale, destination-based events and understanding of the tourism, leisure, and entertainment industries.
• Authentic and resilient leadership – visionary, values-driven, and emotionally intelligent leader able to inspire confidence, represent SGLMG publicly, and navigate complex issues with composure.
• Team Development – track record in building, developing, and motivating high-performing teams that deliver quality outcomes.
• Strategic stakeholder relationships – skilled in negotiating and managing relationships across government, corporate, membership, community, and arts sectors to achieve shared outcomes.

Application process:

To apply please submit your CV and an accompanying covering letter, explaining why you are interested in the CEO role at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and how your values, skills and experience align with the objectives and competencies above.

Applications will be assessed on receipt and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. Closing date for applications is Friday 24th October. However, please note that SGLMG reserves the right to consider applications submitted after this date.

SGLMG is a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace. They strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities or barriers to employment, First Nations applicants and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Please direct all enquiries to Kathy Pavlich at kathy.pavlich@mardigrasarts.org.au