ABOUT CARRIAGEWORKS

Carriageworks is a thriving cultural centre located on Gadigal Land in Redfern, Sydney. Built within the spectacular Eveleigh RailwayWorkshops, it hosts vibrant arts events and a thriving creative industries program. As well as popular events such as the weekly Farmers Market, Sydney Writers’ Festival, and Sydney Contemporary, Carriageworks presents its own compelling program of music, theatre, dance and visual arts.

CARRIAGEWORKS VALUES

- Respect Each Other: Everyone is welcome. Everyone’s voice is important. We learn from each other by listening with empathy and care.
- Share The Journey: Support others to be their best. We act with integrity and trust. We are collectively responsible.
- Be Adventurous: Embrace creativity. We search for courageous ideas and new opportunities.
- Take A Long View: Respect country, prioritise sustainability and nurture new ways of thinking out of old. We lay foundations for generations to come.

OPPORTUNITY

The Director, Operations and Precinct Management is responsible for leading the strategic scheduling, operational planning and delivery of events, programs and precinct activity across Carriageworks. The role ensures that operational services, event management, production capability, technical resources, labour deployment, public space delivery and precinct infrastructure are aligned to program requirements, organisational priorities and commercial objectives.

The role sets and leads a standard of internal delivery excellence across the function, ensuring events and programs are delivered safely, efficiently and to a high professional standard.

The role is accountable for strengthening operational performance through:

- Effective production planning and scheduling across the precinct.
- Leading a culture of collaboration, consultation and excellence.
- The implementation and disciplined use of a venue management system as the single source of truth for the venue.
- Accurate cost modelling and quoting, strong financial discipline and resource coordination,
- Safety leadership in partnership with Carriageworks’ Safety function.
- Continuous evaluation and improvement of operational processes and systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Including but not limited to:

Strategic Operations, Scheduling and Precinct Delivery

- Lead the strategic scheduling, operational planning and delivery of events, programs and precinct activity across Carriageworks.
- Ensure precinct infrastructure and support services are effectively planned, maintained and deployed to enable high-quality events and public outcomes
- Provide leadership and oversight of operational budgets, business cases and cost models, ensuring event and program costings are accurate, timely, transparent and aligned to delivery requirements.
- Lead the management of event scheduling through the effective use and governance of venue management systems, including assessing current systems, strengthening their fit for purpose, and embedding a single source of truth for precinct planning, event requirements, resource allocation and cross-department coordination.
- Lead cross-department coordination and communication to ensure Programming, Production/Technical, Venue Hire/Development, Safety & Building Services,



Audience Experience, Finance and People & Culture functions are aligned in delivery planning and execution.
- Effectively manage precinct-wide services including cleaning, waste management, safety, logistics and sustainability initiatives, with responsibility for procurement, tendering and contract oversight to ensure appropriate service levels, and value for money.

Event and Program Resourcing and Delivery

- Lead the operational planning and resourcing of events, programs and precinct activities, ensuring delivery is aligned with organisational priorities, venue capacity and budget parameters.
- Ensure events and programs are supported by robust operational planning, logistics, service coordination and back-of-house operations to support event complexity, audience needs and operational requirements.
- Ensure operational teams are appropriately coordinated and supported through clear leadership structures, processes and accountability frameworks.
- Provide strategic oversight of event delivery through the Major Events Manager, ensuring appropriate planning, resourcing, escalation management and operational outcomes
- Drive high standards of internal operational delivery excellence, including service levels, turnaround times, communication and stakeholder support.
- Provide strategic oversight of the Carriageworks Farmers Market, ensuring it delivers a high quality visitor experience and supports the organisation's broader precinct, audience and revenue objectives.

Production Capability and Technical Delivery

- Provide strategic leadership of the technical function through the Head of Technical, ensuring the team has the capability, systems, resources and support required to deliver organisational objectives.
- Responsible for ensuring technical resources are planned and allocated, balancing internal resources, specialist and external support, cost efficiency, safety and the scale, complexity and risk profile of the work.
- Ensure technical delivery standards across audio, lighting, vision, stage and AV are met, ensuring productions, events and venue hires are supported by reliable infrastructure, skilled personnel and consistent service standards through effective leadership of the Head of Technical
- Lead planning for technical equipment and infrastructure across the precinct, identifying what should be maintained, renewed, purchased or hired to meet current and future operational needs.
- Drive the systems, planning tools and ways of working that bring together technical infrastructure, maintenance, workforce planning and event delivery into a coordinated and well-managed operation.
- Leadership, People Management and Strategic Contribution
- Play an active senior leadership role in shaping organisational strategy, strengthening operations and supporting the long-term sustainability of Carriageworks.
- Lead, mentor and develop direct reports,



setting clear priorities, accountabilities and performance expectations across operations, technical, event and precinct functions
- Build a high-performing operational culture centred on professionalism, collaboration, service excellence, continuous improvement and accountability for delivery standards.
- Lead a strong safety and compliance culture across operational teams, working closely with the Director of Safety to ensure work is planned and delivered within approved safety systems, standards and procedures
- Lead continuous improvement across systems, processes, service standards and operational workflows to strengthen organisational capability, improve planning and reduce reactive delivery
- Provide clear operational analysis and recommendations to the CEO, General Manager and Board to support planning, operational efficiency, budget oversight and strategic decision-making

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

- 5+ years' senior leadership experience in venue operations, precinct management, or large-scale events (5,000-10,000 attendees), with responsibility for strategy, operational performance, risk, and service delivery.
- Demonstrated experience delivering complex, multi-use events and venue operations, including planning, logistics, stakeholder coordination, and in office execution.
- Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams through workforce planning, performance management, and service excellence.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams across technical production, event operations, operational services, and food programs.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to align teams, manage competing priorities, and resolve operational issues in complex environments.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budget management, costings and quotes, labour and contractor cost control, and operational efficiency.
- Extensive experience managing operational risk, WHS, compliance, heritage, and regulatory obligations within a public-facing venue or precinct.
- Demonstrated success implementing operational systems, process improvements, and planning frameworks that enhance scheduling, resource coordination, reporting, and service delivery.
- Ability to balance the commercial and operational demands of a major public venue with the artistic, creative, and cultural objectives of an organisation.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required to support venue and event operations

APPLY: Please submit your cover letter and resume to ****@carriageworks.com.au outlining your experience against role responsibility areas. Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Application closing date: Monday 31st August 2026

Carriageworks values diversity and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. We encourage applications from individuals who may have less experience due to their unique circumstances but demonstrate a strong willingness to learn and grow in the role. If you are passionate about joining an exciting team and contributing to a culture of diversity and inclusion, we welcome your application and look forward to the unique contributions you can bring to our team.

📌 Director of Operations and Precinct Management (Sydney)
🏢 Carriageworks
📍 Sydney