Artistic & Programs Director, Festival Director

Full job description
Job Title: Artistic & Programs Director, Festival Director
Location: Qtopia Sydney
Reports To: CEO
Employment Type: Full time

About Qtopia Sydney

As the world’s largest Centre for Queer History and Culture, Qtopia Sydney is dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and advancing the history, culture, and future of LGBTQIA+ communities in Australia. Through a vibrant mix of exhibitions, performances, education, and engagement, we seek to create an inclusive and affirming space for all people. Our programming across the organisation aims to foster understanding, spark conversation, and support social change.

Our Values

We proudly celebrate, commemorate and educate. We champion the rich diversity of LGBTQIA+ histories and identities. We foster a workplace culture grounded in respect, integrity and shared responsibility. Every team member is expected to uphold these values by working with empathy, professionalism and a strong sense of purpose as we build a welcoming and impactful cultural institution for all.

Position Summary

The Artistic and Programs Director is a key leadership role at Qtopia Sydney, responsible for shaping the creative and educational vision of the organisation. This role oversees the development, curation, and delivery of Qtopia Sydney’s artistic programming, corporate programs and educational initiatives, while leading a multidisciplinary team to drive audience engagement, inclusivity, and social impact. The role is also responsible for the curation and delivery of Pride Fest, Qtopia Sydney’s annual June festival. Additionally, this position currently coordinates all internal communications and manages the organisation’s social media.

The right person for this role will be a strategic and creative leader who shows initiative in creating new programs and opportunities for Qtopia Sydney’s growth, whilst also having business acumen to support the implementation of these ideas. Importantly, the Candidate must demonstrate experience in developing educational programs, negotiating with the NSW Department of Education, facilitation of programs as both excursions and incursions, and mentoring / training a team of facilitators.

Key Responsibilities

Artistic Leadership and Theatre Programming

Lead the development and implementation of Qtopia Sydney’s annual artistic program, ensuring alignment with the organisation's vision and values, as well as alignment to exhibitions and educational priorities.
Curate a dynamic annual season of performances, exhibitions, and events that celebrate and elevate LGBTQIA+ and Ally voices and experiences. This includes both sourcing teams and artists, scouting for new writing and works and managing an open access application process.
Manage artist engagement, contract negotiation, and production logistics in collaboration with producers.
Supervise theatre operations including scheduling, technical coordination, and box office strategy to ensure operational excellence and audience satisfaction.
Oversee the publicity and media strategies for the theatres and festival programming, including approval of all creative and promotional assets
Negotiate partnerships with other festivals, theatres and organisations
Capacity to produce and direct chosen works on behalf of the Organisation
Run the theatre in accordance with KPIs set by the CEO and to budget
Source and write grant applications
Report to the Board
Education and Corporate Programs

Provide strategic leadership across educational and corporate programs, ensuring quality, relevance, and alignment with Qtopia Sydney’s mission.
Oversee the creation and delivery of education programs that meet national and state curriculum standards.
Liaise directly with the NSW Department of Education and other key stakeholders to build partnerships, secure endorsement, and ensure program compliance.
Write new programs and liaise directly with multiple departments at the NSW Department of Education to secure support for curriculum linkage
Guide the development of corporate program offerings that reflect best practice in cultural competency, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and leadership development.
Evaluate program outcomes and contribute to impact reporting for funders and stakeholders.
Source and write grant applications
Report to the Board
Pride Fest

Curate a dynamic annual festival of performances, exhibitions, and events that celebrate and elevate LGBTQIA+ and Ally voices and experiences.
Have a strong understanding of the Qtopia Sydney audience, as well as the wider Sydney audience and theatrical scene
Source works by attending festivals as an industry delegate and having a keen eye for commercial and creative pieces
Scout for new writing and talents that can be developed into original and/or debut productions
Manage an open access application process that ensures that whilst part of the festival is curated, part remains open to the entire community and ensure that this is balanced
Manage artist engagement, contract negotiation, and production logistics in collaboration with producers.
Schedule the festival
Supervise theatre operations including scheduling, technical coordination, and box office strategy to ensure operational excellence and audience satisfaction.
Direction of all promotional materials and publicity assets
Grant writing
Creation of all sponsorship documentation and responsible for securing sponsors
Consider additional fundraising initiatives to further support Qtopia Sydney and Pride Fest and implement
Secure community collaborations to ensure that all voices in the LGBTQIA+ and Ally communities are heard and valued throughout the festival
Create a unique anniversary event for the First Mardi Gras 78ers annually
Create additional opportunities for local businesses to be involved in Pride Fest and consider how the festival can contribute to the day and night time economies in the area
Creating funding pitches and government proposals
Be available for, and personally seek, all available media opportunities
Communications and Engagement

Oversee the development and implementation of Qtopia Sydney’s communications strategy in collaboration with an external Marketing and Publicity team.
Guide the tone, content, and cadence of public-facing materials to ensure alignment with brand and strategic priorities.
Provide oversight on the creation and distribution of EDMs (Electronic Direct Mail) and newsletters, including copy writing, to drive audience engagement and supporter retention.
Approve and support the scheduling of social media content and promotional campaigns.
Create content for social media
Represent the organisation publicly at events, industry forums, and in the media as needed.
Set publicity strategies for major Qtopia Sydney initiatives and manage these strategies alongside an external Publicity Team.
Manage the Qtopia Sydney website updates
Consider strategies for greater exposure for the organisation and focus on growth on social media platforms.
Team Leadership and Management

This is a leadership role within the Qtopia Sydney team, and the role is responsible for overall support and direction to all team members
Lead and mentor the Programs and Theatre team, fostering a culture of creativity, inclusion, and accountability.
Manage budgets across artistic and program portfolios, ensuring financial responsibility and alignment with funding goals.
Collaborate with the CEO and Finance Team on funding strategy, grant applications, and sponsorship opportunities.
Drive cross-departmental collaboration to ensure cohesive, mission-driven programming.
Create and lead initiatives that engage new audiences/visitors to Qtopia Sydney, grow exposure of the organisation and cement Qtopia Sydney as a community asset.
Qualifications, skills and experience

Essential:

Bachelor degree in relevant fields
Minimum 5 years experience in the not-for-profit sector
Significant leadership experience in arts, cultural and/or educational organisations
Established networks in the Australian arts and/or education sectors
Experience liaising with the Department of Education or similar agencies
Understanding of theatre operations
Proven experience in curating and delivering public-facing artistic or cultural programs
Proven experience in creating, curating and managing an Arts Festival
Deep understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues, histories, and community needs
Strong background in educational program writing, with demonstrated experience working with schools and government bodies
Strong understanding of theatre producing
Strong understanding of festivals and sponsor/stakeholder engagement in this arena.
Experience managing teams and budgets
Experience and/or qualifications in publicity and/or marketing
Familiarity with CRM platforms, ticketing systems and communications tools, including but not limited to Mailchimp, Canva, Humanitix, Square, Stripe, Donorbox and Wordpress
Experience in grant writing and fundraising
Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and communication skills
Familiarity with digital engagement tools, communications planning, and brand strategy
Flexible availability, our events and theatres often require out of regular business hours availability including weekends.
Availability for inter and intra state multi-day and overnight travel
Responsible Service of Alcohol
Licensee and Advanced Licensee Training Completed and a willingness to be the licensee of Qtopia Sydney’s bars
Working with Children Check (NSW)
Driver’s License
Desirable:

Experience with cross-cultural communication and customer service
Experience in volunteer management
Personal Attributes

Visionary and strategic thinker
Collaborative, empathetic leader with a commitment to equity and inclusion
Confident communicator with the ability to inspire, influence, and advocate
Solutions-focused and adaptable in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Diversity & Inclusion

Qtopia Sydney is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of all individuals.

We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures, abilities, ****** orientations, and gender identities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply.

Current incumbents in the role are encouraged to apply.

Note: In line with protocols for not-for-profit Organisations in receipt of government funds, Qtopia Sydney is undergoing an internal recruitment process, and some current team members will be reapplying for their roles. All applications will be assessed fairly and on merit, in accordance with our commitment to equity, transparency, and inclusive hiring practices. 

Application Process:

Email a CV and cover letter (not more than 5 pages in total) to recruitment@qtopiasydney.com.au

Closing date: 5pm, 1 August 2025 (applications will be assessed on receipt)

Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.

Contact information: please email recruitment@qtopiasydney.com.au

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 – $120,000.00 per year

Experience:

not for profit : 3 years (Required)
Work Authorisation:

Australia (Required)
Work Location: In person

Application Deadline: 01/08/2025

Australia
New South Wales
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