Head of Event Operations

Lead event operations at one of Australia's leading performing arts centres, driving exceptional experiences across a world-class venue.

Head of Event Operations

• Job Status: Permanent Full-time

• Salary: PAE Level 8

• Industry: Performing Arts

• Location: South Brisbane

• Application Closing Date: Monday 3 August 2026

About QPAC 

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is one of Australia’s leading cultural destinations and the proud home of live performance in Queensland. Each year, more than 1.85 million people experience over 1,200 performances across its iconic theatres, showcasing everything from blockbuster musicals and ballet to cutting-edge theatre, music and comedy. 

At QPAC, the stage is set for extraordinary moments – bringing together world-renowned artists, emerging talent, and audiences from across Australia and beyond to celebrate the power of live performance. 

Your Role 

We are seeking an exceptional and inspiring leader to join our newly structured Event Operations team as Head of Event Operations. This newly established position presents a rare opportunity to lead significant organisational change, shape a new operating model and build a contemporary, high-performing event operations function at one of Australia’s leading performing arts centres.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Curatorial, you will provide leadership across QPAC’s five-theatre complex, uniting Event Management, Production Management and Venue Hire within an integrated and client-centred model. You will lead through influence, foster a culture of collaboration and accountability, and champion continuous improvement across the entire event lifecycle.

As Head of Event Operations, you will:

• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team through a period of organisational transformation, embedding a positive, engaged and high-performing culture

• Drive strategic and operational planning across the QPAC site, ensuring resources, scheduling, stakeholder engagement and risk management are aligned to organisational priorities

• Partner closely with leaders across the organisation to strengthen collaboration and deliver exceptional outcomes for artists, clients and audiences

• Lead change initiatives that improve service delivery, operational efficiency and the employee experience

• Coach, mentor, and develop future leaders, building capability and succession across the Event Operations function

• Ensure capacity, resourcing and operational risks are effectively assessed prior to event confirmation

• Serve as the approving authority for fast-track events, balancing commercial opportunity with operational readiness and risk

• Champion innovation and continuous improvement through the implementation of contemporary systems, processes and ways of working

• Be a visible, hands-on leader who leads by example and actively supports teams in delivering successful events and productions

About You

You are an accomplished operational leader with a proven ability to lead the planning and delivery of complex events, venue operations or large-scale live performance programs. You bring together people, processes and resources to deliver seamless outcomes, ensuring every event is executed safely, efficiently and to the highest standard.

You thrive in collaborative, fast-paced environments, building trusted relationships across technical, production, commercial and client-facing teams. A strategic and commercially minded leader, you are passionate about developing high-performing teams, driving continuous improvement, and creating operational frameworks that enable exceptional experiences for artists, clients and audiences.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated success leading significant organisational change, including the establishment of new teams, structures, operating models or service delivery approaches

• An authentic and positive leadership style that inspires trust, engagement and high performance, with a strong focus on developing people and creating inclusive team cultures

• Proven ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity while bringing people on the journey and maintaining focus on organisational outcomes

• Highly collaborative and adaptable, with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and contribute wherever required to support successful event delivery

• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the resilience and agility to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

• Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to foster productive partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups

• A commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and coaching others to achieve excellence

Availability Requirements

This role requires flexibility to support a dynamic live performance environment, including:

• Flexibility to work across a seven-day roster as required

• Availability to work evenings, weekends and public holidays in support of event delivery and organisational priorities

• Willingness to be present during major events, peak programming periods and critical operational activities

• Capacity to respond to operational matters outside standard business hours when required.

• Commitment to being a visible and engaged leader who works alongside teams to support successful outcomes

Why Work at QPAC? 

Working at QPAC means being part of one of Australia’s leading performing arts centres, where you’ll enjoy a vibrant and supportive workplace culture and join a team passionate about delivering exceptional experiences for audiences and artists alike.

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 all year round! 

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

• Exclusive employee offers across the South Bank cultural precinct 

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

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

How to Apply

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre 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. To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must have existing Australian work rights.

Ready to take the next step? Click ‘Apply’ below to submit your application through SEEK.

To request a copy of the Position Description or for any enquiries about the role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at rec••••••••@qpac.com.au

The closing date for applications is Monday, 3 August 2026.