Events Manager

Join a vibrant team in a new, Traditional Owner-led initiative!

This is a newly created, full-time role for a talented Aboriginal &/or Torres Strait Islander person (preference for a Reef Traditional Owner). It’s based in Queensland (remote; location flexible), but may require occasional travel. 

Fixed-term appointment until 31 March 2028.

+ The Scoop:

The Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owner Taskforce (ReefTO) is a Traditional Owner-led, grassroots initiative that honours the decades of work by Elders to assert their cultural authority and rights to sea country and to drive genuine partnerships across the Reef. In doing so, ReefTO aims to achieve Traditional Owners’ aspirations for the health, management and protection of the Reef and interconnecting Country.

ReefTO has three key objectives over the next 2-3 years:

1. Engage with Traditional Owners to establish a Sea Country Alliance. 
2. Oversee strategic policy and capacity building actions in the TO Implementation Plan. 
3. Monitor and report on the delivery of actions in the TO Implementation Plan. 

 ReefTO is hosted by Pollination Foundation until a Sea Country Alliance is set up.

+ The Opportunity:

Are you an organisational wizard with a knack for creating unforgettable, on-brand experiences? ReefTO is on the lookout for an Events Manager superstar to join our passionate team, driving transformational change for Reef Traditional Owners!

As our Events Manager, you'll be at the core of our mission, collaborating closely with the General Manager, the ReefTO leadership team, and the ReefTO Taskforce. Your mission? To plan and execute an incredible Sea Country Summit for Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef in September 2026. But that’s not all! There will be other smaller events along the way that you’ll support on to keep things interesting (and so you can fine-tune your systems!).

You'll orchestrate vibrant, culturally inclusive events that resonate deeply with our community – Reef Traditional Owners. Sure, there's the usual event planning and logistics, but this role is anything but ordinary. We're seeking someone who can think outside the box and bring a fresh, innovative perspective to every event. You'll have genuine scope to get creative, from coordinating sponsorships to curating unique artistic experiences.

If you're ready to dive into a role where organisation meets inspiration, and where your ideas can truly make waves, then we want to hear from you!

+ Who We’re Looking For:

We're looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic (not to mention super-organised) event maestro with a passion for creating unforgettable experiences! If you have a knack for coordinating events with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, we want you on our team. You should be a logistics wizard, able to spot gaps and risks in event plans with ease. Communication is key, so bring your top-notch writing and analytical skills and your polished confidence in negotiating with external service providers.

Got a flair for event programming and designing content for different audiences? That's a huge plus! We're after someone with deadly organisational skills who can juggle quotes, briefs, and spreadsheets like a pro. Familiarity with Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is a bonus, but not a dealbreaker. Most importantly, you should be a people person, able to build strong relationships at all levels, and bring an infectious positive attitude and diligent work ethic to our team. If this sounds like you, let's create magic events together!

+ What You’ll Be Doing (A.K.A. Your Superpowers): 

Event Coordination and Logistics

• Develop a comprehensive plan for event organisation, including timing, budget, communication, and service providers.
• Liaise with and coordinate the engagement of service providers, including venues, catering, AV, entertainment, travel support, and event technology tools.
• Research and advise on innovative event technology tools to make the event interactive and streamlined.
• Prepare regular updates on event planning, progress, and issue identification.  

Programming and Content Curation 

• Support the General Manager and Taskforce Members in planning event programming and curation.
• Develop event run sheets to ensure sufficient time for panel discussions, questions, thinking time, refreshments, and transport.
• Coordinate programming elements during the event.

 Sponsorship Management

• Identify potential sponsors and create sponsorship packages.
• Maintain relationships with sponsors to secure funding and support for the event.

Coordination of Creative Experiences

• Manage the process for collecting and curating event artwork, stories, and an event song.
• Set submission guidelines, coordinate with artists and contributors, and organise judging panels if needed.
• Ensure all creative submissions align with the event's theme and vision.

Budget Management

• Develop event budgets, seek quotes, contribute to the development of RFQs and scope documents, and track expenditure.

Communication and Public Relations

• Work collaboratively with the Comms and Creative team to coordinate and streamline event communications.
• Work with the Comms and Creative team to identify promotional opportunities for press releases, media outreach, and social media campaigns for the event and its creative initiatives.

Community Engagement

• Engage with the community to encourage participation in the creative initiatives and foster a sense of involvement and excitement around the event.

Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Protection

• Contribute to the development of strategies for protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property and/or Indigenous Data during the event.
• Ensure free, prior, and informed consent procedures are followed.

Social Event Coordination

• Plan and coordinate social aspects of the event, such as field trips and closing events.
• Organise logistics for social activities, including transportation, accommodation, and itineraries.
• Ensure social events align with the overall theme and objectives of the main event.

+ Why You?

Because you get it. You understand that great event planning isn’t just about logistics—it’s about honouring and amplifying the voices of Reef Traditional Owners and creating experiences that resonate. You bring creativity, strategy, and a deep respect for cultural authority. You understand the power of in-person events to uplift, empower and spark transformational change. Your knack for organising event operations and logistics, and your ability to spot gaps and risks in the plan, make you a perfect fit. If you’re ready to make waves (the good kind), let’s talk!

Due to the volume of hiring the ReefTO is currently doing, we don’t have the capacity to handle individual enquiries about positions.

To perform this role, it is essential that the person is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. It is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991. Applications will only be considered from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with a strong preference for suitably qualified and experience Reef Traditional Owners.