Each January Sydney Festival shakes up our city with a summer festival of art, music, dance, theatre and immersive experiences. We are proud of our long history of commissioning ground-breaking new Australian art, and we're equally proud to be a great place to work, with many of the seasonal team members returning year after year.
The team, which swells to over 100 during festival season, is tight, and the environment supportive. The harbour views from our office are to die for and our coffee machine best in show.
Sydney Festival is committed to equity and inclusion. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability and people from the LGBTQI+ community. Sydney Festival strives to make reasonable adjustments to provide a supportive and barrier-free workplace. If you require any adjustments before or during the selection process, please mention this with your application.
Festival Commons: Expressions of Interest now openFestival Commons is a bold new initiative from Sydney Festival that supports the next generation of IBPoC (Indigenous, Black and People of Colour) festival-makers, curators and cultural conveners in Greater Sydney and the Asia Pacific.
We’re assembling community leaders who are already shaping gatherings across artist-led spaces, skate parks, community kitchens, drag houses, garage parties, club nights, Discords, TikToks and beyond.
Our goal is to connect and empower participants to expand the influence of their work in festivals and beyond. Festival Commons is a structural intervention, offering mentorship and resourcing to deepen existing practices among peers, alongside opportunities for skills development, sector leadership and international exchange.
Learn about the program, who's eligible, and how to apply via the button below.
Applications close 24 September 2025.
More info
Associate Producer (Community Engagement) - First Nations
We're looking for an Associate Producer (Community Engagement) to help deliver the annual festival focused on the program's community engagement needs. This position will play a key role supporting on the delivery of the Festival’s community engagement and cultural protocol across Blak Out, and wider annual festival program.
Applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as being an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and accepted in the community.
What we're looking for:
- Over two years’ experience in performing arts organisations, venues, or festivals.
- Experience in organising and producing events with First Nations protocols, artists and communities
- Comfortable hosting artists, Elders and community groups across a range of hospitality requirements
- Experience managing multiple projects with conflicting deadlines
- Experience preparing and tracking budgets and contracts
- Excellent administration, time management and communication skills, with a passion for organisation, systems and deadlines
- Problem solving and critical thinking skills
- Ability to work as part of a cohesive team.
- Professional writing skills
- Work effectively in a fast-paced and work-intensive environment
- MS Office proficiency including at least an intermediate level of Excel skills
How to apply:
Email your application to thomas.hamilton@sydneyfestival.org.au, including your CV and a one-page cover letter outlining what you would bring to the role.
If you have any questions about the role, please don't hesitate to contact the Creative Producer – First Nations: aidan.rowlingson@sydneyfestival.org.au
Applications close 5pm 26 September 2025.
More info
Associate Producer - First Nations
We're seeking an Associate Producer to help champion, platform and prioritise the voices of First Nations Artists and community. Working closely with the Creative Producer and First Nations artist Jacob Nash to help deliver the annual festival focusing on the Blak Out program.
Applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as being an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and accepted in the community.
What we're looking for:
- Over two years’ experience in performing arts organisations, venues, or festivals.
- Strong understanding of First Nations performance and arts programming.
- Skilled in organising, producing, and delivering events.
- Experience managing multiple projects with conflicting deadlines.
- Ability to think critically, challenge the status quo, and contribute to long-term planning.
- Experienced in engaging and communicating with diverse stakeholders, including artists, Elders, community groups, and internal/external partners.
- Excellent administration, organisation, and time management skills, with strong attention to detail.
- MS Office proficiency including at least an intermediate level of Excel skills.
- Experience in preparing contracts, managing budgets responsibly, and ensuring compliance.
- Effective team player with a passion for the Arts and strong empathy for artists and artistic processes.
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
How to apply:
Email your application to thomas.hamilton@sydneyfestival.org.au, including your CV and a one-page cover letter outlining what you would bring to the role.
If you have any questions about the role, please don't hesitate to contact the Creative Producer – First Nations: aidan.rowlingson@sydneyfestival.org.au
Applications close 5pm 26 September 2025.
More info
Volunteer Manager
We're seeking a Volunteer Manager on a temporary contract position responsible for the administration, recruitment, training and onsite management of volunteers for the 2026 Sydney Festival and the management of the Volunteer Coordinator.
Sydney Festival would not be possible without all our extraordinary and dedicated volunteers, and this role is the key point of contact for this essential part of the Festival.
What we're looking for:
- High level of leadership and people management, with excellent communication skills working with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Ability to relate and communicate with volunteers, artists and audiences in a friendly, open and professional manner.
- Expertise in the needs of venues, artists and producers.
- Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, with a solutions-based approach.
- Ability to communicate and develop relationships with a broad range of people, both internal and external to the organisation, in a professional and ethical manner.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work in an integrated team as well as the ability to work autonomously.
- Strong planning and time management skills, with a proactive approach to managing competing tasks and priorities and work to deadlines.
- Technically proficient with computers, software systems and IT generally.
- Ability to maintain effective shared folder systems, files and procedural documents.
- Enthusiasm and a positive attitude with an ability to be a team player.
How to apply:
Email your application to thomas.hamilton@sydneyfestival.org.au, including your CV and a one-page cover letter outlining what you would bring to the role.
Applications close 5pm 19 September 2025.
More info
Volunteer Coordinator We're seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to support the successful delivery of the Sydney Festival Volunteer Program by assisting with recruitment, training, scheduling, and onsite management of volunteers. This role works closely with the Volunteer Manager and acts as a key liaison between volunteers, team leaders, and festival staff to ensure a positive and efficient volunteer experience.
Sydney Festival would not be possible without all our extraordinary and dedicated volunteers. This role plays an important part in ensuring their engagement and contribution to the Festival’s success.
What we're looking for:
- Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a friendly and professional manner.
- Ability to work effectively in a team and autonomously when required.
- Problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to challenges.
- Competence with computers, software systems (Microsoft Office, database systems) and IT generally.
- Ability to maintain shared folder systems, files and help prepare procedural documents.
- Enthusiasm and a positive attitude with an ability to be a team player.
How to apply:
Email your application to thomas.hamilton@sydneyfestival.org.au, including your CV and a one-page cover letter outlining what you would bring to the role.
Applications close 5pm 26 September 2025.
More info
Artist Liaison (two roles available)
We're seeking two Artist Liaisons to be responsible for providing comprehensive support to artists participating in the 2026 Festival. This role requires exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. Working closely with the programming and production teams, the Artist Liaison ensures artists' needs are met before, during and after the Festival.
What we're looking for:
- Two to three years of experience in arts administration, cultural events or festivals, with prior experience as an artist liaison highly desirable.
- Strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. A proactive approach to managing competing tasks and priorities, with a focus on meeting deadlines.
- Demonstrated experience in cultivating positive relationships and collaborating with venues, artists and service providers.
- Familiarity with the needs of venues, artists and producers, along with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of an integrated team.
- Comfortable with computers, software systems, and general IT tools.
- A proactive problem-solver with a keen attention to detail, the ability to work effectively under pressure and a positive, team-oriented attitude.
- Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, as required by the Festival schedule.
- Ability to work professionally and ethically with a diverse range of people, demonstrating cultural sensitivity to those both internal and external to the organisation.
- Must have a full Australian Driver's License and be willing to provide artist transfer support (a company car can be provided).
How to apply:
Email your application to thomas.hamilton@sydneyfestival.org.au, including your CV and a one-page cover letter outlining what you would bring to the role.
Applications close 5pm 3 October 2025.
More info
