Senior Venue Manager - MSAC

About State Sport Centres:

Are you ready to be a crucial part of the dynamic world of State Sport Centres? We are the heartbeat of premier multi-sport facilities in Victoria, dedicated to fostering peak performance, unlocking potential, and delivering world-class events. State Sport Centres are more than just facilities; we're the driving force behind sports enthusiasts reaching new heights. We exist to fuel passion, inspire excellence, and contribute to the well-being of the Victorian community.  Join the team that transforms the sports landscape and creates a legacy of excitement, engagement, and inspiration. 

About the role:

The Senior Venue Manager at Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC) oversees all aspects of venue operations, including commercial activities, safety, risk governance and customer experience. This role ensures the delivery of high standards across community, sporting and commercial outcomes in line with the State Sport Centres Trust Strategic Plans. 

Reporting to the General Manager Venues, the Senior Venue Manager leads a large and diverse team responsible for ensuring seamless and consistent delivery of all operations within the venue. Responsibilities include maximizing community and sporting access and driving continuous improvement in safe and efficient service delivery, while meeting budget targets and KPIs. The role requires collaboration with other venue managers to ensure a consistent, high-quality experience across all facilities. The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with significant venue management experience, capable of driving success of a major national and international venue, including building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.

Flexibility is essential as the position requires working varied hours depending on the event schedule. Time Off in Lieu will be provided as needed.

As the Senior Venue Manager your primary responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing and optimizing venue operations, ensuring the highest standards of safety, governance and customer experience for both employees and patrons
• Leading a diverse team, managing up to six direct reports and fostering collaboration across all functions
• Developing and managing a diverse range of stakeholder relationships, including sporting teams and elite athletes, state and national sporting organisations, community groups and government bodies
• Attracting and securing bookings for both community and international events
• Maximising facility access for community use and sporting partners
• Embedding a customer-first culture that meets high commercial and service standards
• Driving continuous improvement in operational safety, efficiency and service delivery
• Collaborating with other venue managers to ensure a unified approach across all State Sport Centres Trust venues
• Delivering high-quality customer experiences and seamless service delivery across all areas
• Achieving budget targets and key performance indicators (KPIs)

Required skills and Qualifications:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in business, events, project management, hospitality, or similar
• 10+ years of operational leadership in a venue or events environment
• Strong commercial and strategic acumen to drive financial and performance targets
• Proven commitment to delivering high-quality, repeatable customer experiences
• Experience leading and motivating large teams in dynamic, multi-functional settings
• High financial literacy and ability to present detailed, tailored reports
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Extensive knowledge of WHS and risk management standards for large public venues
• Experience managing contracts and legal agreements
• Familiarity with Public Sector/Governance frameworks is desirable
• Victorian Working with Children’s check

Why is this a great place to work?

You will love working at the State Sports Centres. Here’s just a few reasons why:

• Flexible working arrangements
• Great staff benefits including free parking, performance gym membership, discounts at SSCT food & beverage and retail outlets and complimentary court hire for casual bookings across the stadiums
• Family and friends’ discounts on performance gym membership
• Discounts on holiday programs and creche for dependents
• You will be challenged daily and can develop yourself as a person as well as gaining valuable career skills
• We have a fantastic team of people who are great to work with
• Join us in our mission to help people to be excited about sport, engage in healthy activity and feel inspired to be their best
• We are surrounded by elite athletes daily and you will support various elite sports and world class events

How to apply: 

Please send us a resume and cover letter supporting your application for this exciting role with State Sport Centres.  We will be reviewing applications and commencing interviews as they come in, so don't delay in applying.  For further information please contact Abigail Grant, Talent Acquisition Business Partner +61 3 9926 1358.

SSCT values diversity, is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and from people with disabilities. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are visitors to our venues and facilities. Successful applicants will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check before being able to commence employment.