Art Pharmacy and Sugar Glider Digital are hiring! As we enter a new phase of growth, we're seeking an Operations Manager to join our team in Sydney. Role and application details are below:

We’re hiring: Operations Manager (Arts/Placemaking)

Sydney (Hybrid) · Full-time · Immediate start

Art Pharmacy is a full-service art & placemaking consultancy delivering public art, creative activations and community-shaping projects with artists, developers, councils and brands.

We’re looking for an Operations Manager to run the day-to-day engine of our businesses: project support, events & installation logistics, artist/contractor coordination, finance admin and keeping our templates/processes sharp - so our creative team can deliver outstanding work, on time and on budget.

What you’ll do:

Project support: schedules, project management, risk/issue logs; site paperwork (permits, inductions, SWMS, access).

Events & installs: plan logistics end-to-end (bump-in/out, deliveries, hire, run-sheets); be on-call during critical install windows.

Artist & contractor coordination: issue contracts, verify ABNs/insurances, track concept fee payments and milestones, gather deliverables.

Finance admin (lead): track budgets/WIP, raise POs, process invoices, coordinate with finance partners.

Templates & systems: maintain policies, contracts, run-sheets, trackers; data and version control.

Internship program: recruit, onboard, supervise and ensure a positive learning experience.

What you’ll bring

Previous relevant experience of delivery in an operations/production/project coordination role (arts, events, design/fabrication or similar).

Proven logistics planning and vendor management; confident around WHS and site requirements.

Strong financial admin: budgets, POs, invoicing, reconciliations, simple reporting.

Contract administration: issuing agreements, tracking milestones, checking ABNs/insurances.

Calm, clear communicator who closes loops and keeps standards high - especially when the pressure’s on.

Non-negotiables

Full Australian working rights.

Sydney-based with ability to work full time (5 days) and be onsite for installs/events (early/late calls when required).

Experience of managing projects, communicating with a range of stakeholders

Financial acumen and experience of managing budgets

Comfortable working on active sites and following WHS processes.

Detail-driven with reliable follow-through on budgets, paperwork and approvals.

Desirable:

Public-realm install experience (permits, access equipment, traffic management).

Familiarity with CRM/PM tools (e.g., Asana/Trello/Capsule) & Google Workspace.

Employment details

Type: Full-time (hybrid; office + onsite as needed)

Location: Sydney

Package: Competitive salary + super (commensurate with experience)

Start: ASAP

How to apply

Apply via LinkedIn or email CV and a short cover note to Hayley Kaplan at [email protected] with subject line:
“Operations Manager — [Your Name]”
Please include: your earliest start date and a brief example of a complex install/event you’ve coordinated (what you owned, how you de-risked it, outcome).

We celebrate diverse perspectives and strongly encourage applications from First Nations peoples and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Applications open until 28 October 2025