About Mardi Gras

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) is one of the longest continuously operating LGBTQIA+ organisations in Australia.

We are a not-for-profit member-based organisation that produces the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade and year-round initiatives that celebrate our LGBTQIA+ identity, creative expression, and elevate diverse voices.

SGLMG was built on the foundations laid by early community activists who fought for LGBTQIA+ rights in a time of wide-spread, institutionalised oppression and discrimination. From these origins, SGLMG has evolved to include a strong focus on celebration while maintaining a commitment to social justice for LGBTQIA+ communities.

About the Role

The Head of Marketing and Communications leads the strategy and delivery of all marketing, communications, PR, and ticketing for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG). Reporting to the CEO and part of the leadership team, you will drive high-impact campaigns that grow our audience, boost ticket sales, and elevate our brand.

You will oversee year-round media relations, public messaging, and crisis communications, ensuring our voice is consistent, inclusive, and community driven. You will also manage marketing and ticketing budgets and lead the development of the Festival Ticketing Strategy. You will recruit, lead, and inspire a new multidisciplinary group across marketing, ticketing, content, design, and programming. Together, you’ll deliver creative campaigns, seamless operations, and a vibrant Festival program.

The role also contributes to broader organisational activity, including fundraising, the AGM, and the Annual Report. It’s a strategic and hands-on leadership role—perfect for someone ready to shape the voice of one of Australia’s most iconic LGBTQIA+ organisations.

This position is required to occasionally work outside of core hours and over weekends during the operational period of the festival.

Key role objectives and accountabilities

Lead the development and delivery of SGLMG’s multi-channel marketing, communications and PR strategy for the annual Festival.

Oversee year-round communications and PR, including media relations, public statements, and crisis communications.

Design and implement a Festival Ticketing Strategy that meets financial and audience growth goals, in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.

Ensure inclusive and effective communication across all channels and audiences.
Oversee owned communications channels (social, email marketing, website) to ensure consistency and impact.

Serve as lead copywriter across key external communications including EDMs, social media, and website content.

Provide leadership, direction, and professional development to direct reports.
Manage marketing and ticketing budgets to ensure strategic allocation and alignment with organisational objectives.

Collaborate with the CEO and across the organisation to embed engagement goals into event and campaign activity.

Partner with the Head of Festival and the Festival and Events team on program development, campaign narratives, and artist pitch materials.

Facilitate internal consultation to shape the annual Festival theme, overall campaign direction and festival branding.

Lead the relationship with the Festival’s PR agency.

Monitor community sentiment and socio-political developments to inform proactive issues and crisis response.

Support membership acquisition and retention through strategic campaign integration.

Champion data-driven decision making by establishing and tracking key performance metrics to evaluate marketing and ticketing effectiveness and inform strategic adjustments.

Build and protect the SGLMG brand by ensuring consistency and integrity across all channels, while evolving its expression to reflect community values and cultural relevance.

Strengthen partnerships with media, influencers, and cultural stakeholders to amplify campaign reach and audience engagement.

Embed accessibility and inclusion across all marketing and communications activities, including language, design, digital platforms, and ticketing materials.

Drive innovation in campaign delivery through emerging technologies, content formats, and digital tools to keep the Festival relevant and engaging.

Support revenue generation through strategic marketing of fundraising initiatives, partnerships, and membership campaigns.

Contribute to organisation-wide communications and fundraising campaigns, including the AGM, Annual Report, and other major events.

Manage and maintain the SGLMG image library, marketing assets, and Festival marketing records.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

Minimum 10 years’ experience delivering integrated marketing, communications, and media strategies, ideally in a major events, arts, or cultural context.

Proven ability to develop and execute large-scale, multi-channel campaigns that drive audience growth, ticket sales, brand impact, and stakeholder engagement.

Tertiary qualifications in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or a related discipline.

Demonstrated experience leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams—ideally with experience in team rebuilding, development, and inclusive leadership.

Strong experience in managing public relations and media engagement, including the ability to plan and respond to issues and crisis scenarios.

Demonstrated expertise in ticketing strategy and operations within a festival, live performance, or entertainment context.

Experience developing and managing marketing and ticketing budgets aligned with organisational targets.

Strong digital and content marketing experience, including use of CRM systems, social media platforms, EDM tools, and analytics.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience acting as a brand voice across public channels.

Demonstrated project management skills with the ability to balance short-term deadlines and long-term strategic goals.

Proven ability to create and implement inclusive, audience-led communications, particularly in LGBTQIA+ or community-facing contexts.

High-level analytical skills, with the ability to extract insights and develop data-informed campaign strategies.

Experience working with CEOs, Boards, or governance structures, including reporting and stakeholder consultation.

Ability to work in a collaborative team environment with a positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills.

Understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community, its diversity, and its current and evolving needs.

Desirable:

Experience in major events or festivals.

Experience working in a membership-based or not-for-profit organisation.

Familiarity with fundraising and philanthropic campaign strategies

Graphic design skills or experience overseeing creative direction.

Understanding of the Sydney arts, culture, and media landscape.

Commitment to and understanding of equity, accessibility, and cultural safety principles in communications.

In return:

Show up as your authentic true self – there are no masks here.

You will have the opportunity for training, mentoring and development opportunities

Diverse working environment

Flexible work arrangements

Employee assistance program

Access to SGLMG events and more!

SGLMG is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and we encourage diversity, equality, and inclusion in all aspects of our business, including our hiring process. We firmly believe that a diverse workforce is essential for our success, and we are committed to creating a working environment where all employees are treated with respect and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or any other protected characteristic. We actively encourage and welcome applicants from underrepresented groups, as we strive to build a more fair and inclusive workplace for all.

Applications:

Applications must include:

An outline of your interest in the role, addressing how your experience prepares you for the responsibilities required and how you align with the selection criteria outlined in the job description;

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

For any queries and the full position description please contact: [email protected]

Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted