Bluesfest Byron Bay is Australia’s most highly awarded festival, held annually for five days over the Easter Long Weekend in the Byron Bay region.

Bluesfest is a dynamic group of companies; Bluesfest Byron Bay (4/5-day festival), Bluesfest Touring and Bluesfest Presents. On one hand, we are responsible for engaging international and national artists to perform at Bluesfest Byron Bay (music festival), as well as promoting the event which reaches an attendance over 100,000 patrons. On the other hand, we are responsible for engaging the same international artists to perform tours at partner venues around Australia and New Zealand.

Bluesfest Byron Bay annually engages 80 -110 artists on the festival line up. Additionally, engaging 15-30 international artists for Australian and New Zealand tours.

Bluesfest Presents showcases events at the Byron Events Farm and in the permanent venue The Green Room Byron.

Who are we looking for?
The BLUESFEST group is looking for a dynamic General Manager on a full-time basis.

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Principal Accountabilities

1. General Business Operations & Strategic Management

Oversee all aspects of the business's daily operations, ensuring smooth workflow, optimal efficiency, and effective resource allocation.

Formulate, implement, and monitor strategies aimed at achieving sustainable growth, expanding festival reach, and increasing profitability.

Regularly prepare detailed reports and updates for management, clearly outlining operational performance, event execution milestones, strategic initiatives, and future objectives.

2. Human Resources Management

Direct all human resources functions including recruitment, onboarding, professional development, conflict management, and succession planning.

Develop and enforce comprehensive HR processes, including job descriptions, KPIs, annual performance reviews, and salary evaluations, in close collaboration with the CFO.

Provide strategic mentorship and proactive leadership to department heads, fostering an environment of collaboration, creativity, continuous improvement, and high performance.

Facilitate weekly management team meetings, monthly staff updates, and ad-hoc briefings to ensure effective communication, transparency, team morale, and cohesive company culture.

3. Event Logistics & Site Infrastructure Management

Collaborate with Site Managers, Operations Managers, and Technical Production Teams to develop comprehensive infrastructure plans, manage risk, and maintain rigorous compliance with health, safety, and regulatory standards.

Lead the coordination and oversight of site construction, infrastructure installation, event execution, and subsequent site restoration efforts.

Ensure robust contingency plans are in place to mitigate potential disruptions and risks during events.

4. Strategic Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement & Community Relations

Act as the primary contact and key negotiator with major stakeholders including local authorities, vendors, suppliers, contractors, community groups, and media partners.

Lead or participate actively in stakeholder meetings, industry events, and community forums, ensuring consistent and positive representation of the festival’s brand and ethos.

Build and maintain strategic partnerships and alliances to enhance festival reputation, community relations, audience growth, sponsorship opportunities, and overall market visibility.

Develop community engagement programs that foster goodwill, local economic benefit, cultural enrichment, and sustainability initiatives associated with festival activities.

5. Finance, Budget Management & Cost Efficiency

Work closely with the CFO to prepare detailed annual and event-specific budgets, manage financial forecasting, and oversee adherence to approved budgets and financial controls.

Continuously identify and implement cost-saving strategies and process improvements to enhance operational efficiencies, productivity, and profitability.

Develop and implement innovative revenue-generation strategies including new partnerships, sponsorship deals, premium experiences, merchandise, digital content, and ticketing enhancements.

6. Festival & Events Specific Operational Excellence

Ensure all contracted Department Heads and third-party vendors maintain current and comprehensive Service Agreements, Public Liability Insurance, and meet all regulatory compliance requirements.

Establish and maintain clear, consistent, and efficient communication channels between festival core teams and external stakeholders, suppliers, artists, and operational crews to ensure seamless execution of events.

Oversee the development and implementation of festival-wide safety protocols, emergency procedures, environmental sustainability initiatives, and customer experience enhancements.

Ensure all festival departments are aligned with operational timelines, deliverables, and quality standards, continuously monitoring performance and intervening proactively when necessary.

7. Marketing & Brand Development

Oversee the strategic direction of events & festival marketing, PR, branding, digital presence, audience engagement, and customer acquisition strategies.

Guide the festival marketing team in crafting compelling campaigns, leveraging digital platforms, social media, traditional media channels, influencer partnerships, and direct community outreach.

Monitor and evaluate market trends, competitor activities, customer insights, and audience feedback to continuously adapt and strengthen the festival’s market positioning and appeal.

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Required Skills & Experience:

Minimum of 10 years senior/level management experience in events, entertainment, festivals, or the creative sector.

Experience as a General Manager or Business Manager running a business operation of a similar size or larger

Experience developing strategic and operational business plans & sound commercial business cases.

Experience with building strong relationships with key business partners, stakeholders and suppliers,

Strong knowledge of IT and other business infrastructure

Proven leadership ability to build, inspire, and manage highly effective teams.

Exceptional interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.

Expertise in strategic planning, logistical execution, infrastructure management, and complex event operations.

Strong analytical, financial management, and budgeting capabilities.

Thorough understanding of key business drivers and knowledge of digital marketing and revenue generation

Experience implementing policies, and procedures to ensure safe, efficient operations, minimization of risk and environmental impacts and ensure business sustainability.

Please provide your CV and cover letter via the SEEK portal outlining any relevant work experience, plus why you’d love to be a part of the Bluesfest crew!

We appreciated your application; only successful candidates will be contacted.