Head of Commercial Programming

Lead QPAC’s commercial programming, driving revenue, audiences, and partnerships through high-performing, market-led content and strategic delivery.

Head of Commercial Programming

Job Status: Full-Time 2 Year TermIndustry: Performing Arts Location: South Brisbane Application Closing Date: Friday 8 May at 5.00pm

About Us

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is one of Australia’s leading centres for live performance. Welcoming over 1.5 million visitors to more than 1200 performances each year, we embrace the best in live performance – the world renowned alongside the emerging, local, and new – and connect to the stories and ideas at the heart of each production. Through the warmth and expertise of our staff, we have become a trusted curator, presenter, and host; a place to come together to relax, reflect, share stories, and celebrate.

About the Role 

The Head of Commercial Programming leads the strategic development and delivery of QPAC’s commercially focused programming, driving revenue growth, audience engagement, and venue utilisation across the organisation. The role has a particular focus on high‑performing commercial content, including theatre, musicals, cabaret, circus, magic/illusion, and school holiday programming.

Working closely with the Executive Director – Curatorial, and collaborating across curatorial, marketing, partnerships and operational teams, the role identifies, secures, and delivers presented and co‑presented projects that achieve strong commercial outcomes while maintaining artistic quality and audience relevance. The position cultivates strong local, national and international industry relationships, leads major commercial programming initiatives and projects, and contributes to organisational leadership by shaping programming strategy, fostering partnerships, and delivering financially sustainable and strategically aligned outcomes.

In this role you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of commercially focused programming that drives ticket revenue, audience growth, and venue utilisation across QPAC

• Identify, negotiate, and deliver presented and co‑presented commercial projects aligned with QPAC’s strategic and programming objectives

• Build and foster strong relationships with producers, promoters, agents, artists, and industry partners to expand QPAC’s commercial programming portfolio

• Lead major commercial programming initiatives and projects, overseeing negotiations, partnerships, financial outcomes, and production delivery

• Drive commercial performance through strategic programming decisions, including risk‑share and partnership arrangements

• Collaborate across curatorial, marketing, philanthropy, partnerships, technical and operational teams to maximise audience engagement and commercial outcomes

• Provide strong financial oversight, including developing and managing programming budgets, forecasts and financial reporting for high‑value productions

• Lead, mentor and develop direct reports while contributing to broader organisational leadership, strategy development and cross‑functional initiatives within the Curatorial portfolio

• Represent QPAC in industry forums and networks, including interstate travel as required

About You 

To be successful in this role, we are looking for:

• Significant experience leading commercially focused performing arts programming within major presenting venues, festivals, or touring environments

• Extensive knowledge of commercial touring markets and live performance programming, including theatre, musicals and large‑scale productions

• A strong national and international industry network, with the ability to secure, develop and sustain productive commercial partnerships

• Demonstrated success delivering large‑scale commercially viable programming initiatives from negotiation through to delivery

• Strong commercial acumen, including experience negotiating co‑presentations, partnerships, risk‑share agreements and managing financial risk

• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across artistic, commercial and operational teams

• Proven leadership capability, including experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams

• Strong financial accountability, with experience managing significant programming budgets and delivering sustainable commercial outcomes

• Professional judgement, resilience and the ability to navigate complexity in a dynamic commercial environment

Why Work at QPAC?

Working at QPAC means being part of one of Australia’s leading performing arts centres, where creativity, collaboration and live performance are at the heart of everything we do. With a vibrant and supportive workplace culture, our team is passionate about delivering exceptional experiences for audiences and artists alike.

With the opening of the Glasshouse Theatre, an exciting new performance space expanding QPAC’s programming and audience reach, there has never been a more exciting time to join the team!

Our people also enjoy a range of benefits designed to support wellbeing, connection and a great workplace experience, including:

• Complimentary and discounted tickets to performances of your choice!

• Employee discounts on merchandise and a wide range of dining outlets (Storytellers Cafe, TomTom, Russell Street Wine Bar and more) 

• Exclusive staff offers across the South Bank cultural precinct

• Access to the QPAC Greenroom, including the Greenroom Café with discounted meals and a daily changing menu

• Flexible working arrangements where operationally possible

• A convenient central location directly opposite South Brisbane Train Station and within Brisbane’s vibrant cultural precinct

How to Apply 

If you are driven to deliver high‑performing commercial programming, build strong industry partnerships, and create outstanding live performance experiences, we would love to hear from you.

To obtain a copy of the Position Description, please visit: https://www.qpac.com.au/about/careers/current-opportunities

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)The closing date for applications is Friday 8 May at 5.00pm. QPAC will commence screening and shortlisting in advance of this closing date. 

For all other enquiries, please reach out to our Recruitment Team at: [email protected]

QPAC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, Disabled and Deaf people, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people of all ages. Applicants must have existing Australian work rights.