Team Leader – Festival Events & Engagement

Requisition Number: 859

Salary Range: $93,559.90 - $99,589.18 per annum

Position Type: Full Time Permanent

Location: Botanic Visitor Centre

Application Close Date: Tuesday, 4 November 2025 at 11.30pm AEST

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for festivals, creativity, and community engagement?

We have an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinker with hands-on event experience to join our team!

What You Will Do:

As the Team Leader - Festival Events and Engagement, you will be responsible for designing, delivering, and managing Cairns’ signature festivals and community events. Leading a talented creative team, you will collaborate across multiple Council business units and local arts partners to produce compelling, inclusive, and community-driven cultural experiences that bring people together and celebrate the unique spirit of Cairns.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to shape diverse festival programs, including the iconic Cairns Festival, Cairns Children’s Festival, and Understory Film Festival. You will drive creative innovation, build strong local partnerships, manage event logistics and budgets, and ensure all activities align with Council’s strategic goals to foster cultural vibrancy and community cohesion.

What We Are Looking For:

Tertiary qualifications in Events Management, Arts or a relevant discipline, and/or demonstrated experience Significant achievement in creative programming, community events and festival development.

Demonstrated capability in producing, managing, and delivering diverse arts, community and festival events, including performing arts and visual arts presentations.

A deep understanding of key trends, audience development, community engagement, and placemaking principles relating to festival events.

High-level knowledge of the arts, creative industries, and event sectors, including sources for product and program development.

Strong presentation, writing, and communication skills, including the ability to write reports, submissions, proposals, grant applications, and promotional materials.

High level interpersonal and verbal skills, including the ability to liaise and consult effectively with diverse community groups, elected members, media, management, and staff.

Some benefits we offer:

Achieve work / life balance with flexible working arrangements

Fitness Passport - subsidised health and well-being memberships (gym/swimming pool)

Recharge with up to 5 weeks annual leave

Up to 3 weeks personal leave

Relocation assistance may be available for preferred candidates.

Salary sacrifice opportunities

Grow personally and professionally with learning and development opportunities

Cherish family time with up to 14 weeks paid parental leave

We are committed to:

Fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment

Embracing innovation and continuous improvement

Cultivating a culture of professional growth and support

Now we want to hear about YOU!

Applications MUST be submitted online through the 'Apply' button and include a Cover Letter addressing the selection criteria and Resume outlining previous academic and work experience and if requested include attachments of the relevant qualifications and licenses, relating to the role.

For further information about this role please download the Position Description which includes the Key Duties, Responsibilities and Selection Criteria.

Council’s Recruitment Team can be contacted via:

Phone: (07) 4044 3310

Email: [email protected]

Website: Employment at Council | Cairns Regional Council