About Us

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a leading not-for-profit organisation producing the iconic Mardi Gras Festival and Parade, alongside a growing portfolio of community events throughout the year.

Since 1978, we have been on a mission to amplify the voices and raise the visibility of LGBTQIA+ communities. We aim to inspire the world to love boldly and celebrate diversity in all its forms through arts, creativity and pride.

Guided by our belief that “Our Joy is Power”, we continue to champion inclusion, equity and social justice in Australia and beyond.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Workforce & Operations Manager to lead the recruitment, training and deployment of the volunteer workforce that powers Mardi Gras — more than 2,000 volunteers each year — while also driving the operational planning that keeps our events, festivals and programs running smoothly.

This is a varied, fast-paced role at the heart of our Operations Department, suited to someone who thrives on juggling logistics, people and priorities in equal measure. You'll lead volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training and rostering, while also coordinating supplier and procurement processes, warehouse operations and on-ground event delivery across Parade, Fair Day, Party and beyond.

Beyond the day-to-day, you'll drive continuous improvement of our workforce systems and processes, support medical services planning, and lead a small team dedicated to making sure every volunteer has what they need to deliver an unforgettable event. It's an ideal role for someone who is highly organised, people-focused, and energised by the scale and complexity of major event delivery.

About the role

Reporting directly to the Head of Operations, you'll lead our volunteer workforce program end-to-end and provide operational support across logistics, supplier management, procurement, warehouse operations and medical services. You'll manage a Workforce & Operations Coordinator, seasonal workforce staff and event-based Volunteer Team Leaders, and work closely with Festival & Events, Partnerships, Marketing,



Membership and Medical teams to make sure workforce needs are embedded in everything we plan.

Key responsibilities

- Leading the recruitment, onboarding, training, deployment and recognition of 2,000+ volunteers annually

- Developing and delivering workforce plans across Parade, Fair Day, Party and other events and programs

- Coordinating workforce logistics, including accreditation, uniforms, radios, catering and volunteer resourcing

- Managing Volunteer Local and associated workforce systems, including reporting, compliance and record-keeping

- Supporting supplier management, procurement and contractor coordination across festival and organisational activities

- Providing on-ground leadership during bump-in, event delivery and bump-out

- Leading continuous improvement projects, post-event debriefs and workforce-related initiatives throughout the year

As SGLMG runs events throughout the year, this role occasionally requires work outside standard hours, including evenings and weekends.

About you

You're a highly organised, people-focused operations leader with a strong track record of managing large-scale volunteer or workforce programs.

You'll bring:

- 5+ years' experience in volunteer management, workforce management, event operations or a related field

- Demonstrated experience managing large-scale volunteer programs or major event workforce operations

- Experience leading staff, volunteers or project teams, with a calm and solutions-focused approach under pressure

- Experience working with budgets, procurement processes and supplier management

- Confidence using volunteer management, rostering or workforce systems, and the ability to quickly learn new ones

- Strong administrative,



organisational and stakeholder engagement skills

Experience within festivals, events, arts or not-for-profit organisations, and managing volunteer programs of 1,000+ people, will be highly regarded but are not essential.

Why join us?

- A genuinely inclusive, values-led workplace where you can bring your whole self to work.

- A gender-affirming workplace policy.

- Additional paid time off between Christmas and New Year.

- Access to cultural and community leave, including for significant community and cultural events.

- Ongoing training and career development, including in cultural safety and inclusive practice.

- The chance to do work that genuinely matters to our communities.

Inclusion and Diversity

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is committed to being an inclusive and equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to bring their authentic selves to work.

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and people of all sexualities and gender identities.

We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation, our work and our impact, and we are committed to a culture grounded in equity, inclusion and belonging.

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process, including alternative formats, extra time or a support person to make sure it is accessible to you. Just let us know what you need when you apply.

Applicants are welcome to use their chosen name and pronouns throughout the recruitment process, regardless of what appears on formal identification documents.

How to Apply

Applications should include:

- A brief cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how your experience aligns with the opportunity.

- A current CV, including the contact details of two professional referees.

For any queries, please contact: ••••@mardigrasarts.org.au

📌 Workforce & Operations Manager (Sydney)
🏢 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Ltd & Mardi Gras Arts
📍 Sydney