Managing Director

Join a leading regional arts organisation as Managing Director to deliver one of Australia’s most respected literary festivals in 2027 and 2028.

About Newcastle Writers Festival

Newcastle Writers Festival is one of Australia’s leading literary festivals, with a strong national reputation for accessible, high-quality programming. Since the inaugural event in 2013, the festival has grown significantly in scale and impact, presenting a vibrant annual program that attracts acclaimed Australian and international writers alongside emerging voices. The organisation also oversees the Fresh Ink Emerging Writer Prize and Story Hunter, a unique schools-based creative writing program.

Known for its engaged audiences and inclusive ethos, the festival plays a vital role in the cultural life of Newcastle and the broader Hunter region, while contributing meaningfully to the national literary landscape.

Position Overview

Newcastle Writers Festival is restructuring in response to the departure of the Founding Director, and the Managing Director is a newly created role. With the support of the board, the Managing Director is responsible for the overall leadership, sustainability and operational success of the organisation.

This role provides strategic direction and oversight across governance, finance, risk, and organisational management, ensuring continued growth, resilience and impact. Working in close partnership with the Artistic Director and the Partnerships and Development Manager, the Managing Director ensures that the festival’s artistic ambitions are supported by robust operational frameworks, strong financial management and effective stakeholder engagement. The role is the key interface with the board and is accountable for delivering the organisation’s strategic and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

● Strategic Leadership

● Governance and Board Relations

● Financial Management

● Risk Management and Compliance

● Human Resources and Organisational Culture

● Operations and Delivery

● Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships 

Key Selection Criteria

● Demonstrated senior leadership experience within the arts, cultural or not-for-profit sectors.

● Experience delivering large-scale events.

● Strong strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into operational outcomes.

● Proven financial management expertise, including budgeting, reporting and revenue development.

● Sound understanding of governance frameworks and Board engagement.

● Experience in risk management and organisational compliance.

● Excellent people leadership skills, with a track record of building effective teams and culture.

● Highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.

● Demonstrated experience managing media and public relations.

● Ability to manage complexity and deliver outcomes in a dynamic environment.

More information

For more information visit https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/work-with-us-2026/ or contact NWF president Kate Robinson [email protected]