For 26 years the festival has been a cornerstone of Melbourne’s literary culture, and was a key part of the government’s City of Literature initiative. The festival is an active member of two international networks – the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and the Word Alliance (a collaboration of the world’s finest writers festivals).
As the city’s literary highlight MWF seeks to increase the prospects for readers and writers, publishers, booksellers and all those across the industry, both here and overseas.
The festival’s main program is situated in the heart of Melbourne at Federation Square and the festival often features up to 400 writers from around the world, coming together to share their stories and experiences across approximately 350 events. Since moving to Federation Square the festival has enjoyed average attendances of 50,000 per year.
The festival office is located in The Wheeler Centre in the State Library of Victoria, Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. The festival board oversees the governance and strategic direction of the festival and currently there are six full-time positions at MWF, with additional contract staff taken on in the lead up to the festival.
The festival is funded by box office and other earned income, in addition to state, local, federal and international government funding bodies, as well as sponsorship, donations and fundraising.
Responsibilities and accountabilities:
The General Manager provides financial, legal and logistical management for the effective operation of the organisation both during the Festival and year-round. The General Manager is charged with representing the Festival in high-level negotiations with a range of Festival partners.
Finance:
• Oversee financial management of Festival on a day-to-day basis, including payroll, and ensure all records meet audit and legal requirements.
• Prepare monthly finance reports against budget for the Festival Director and Finance Sub-committee.
• Attend Finance meetings.
• Prepare annual audit and meet all legal and tax liabilities.
• Manage all aspects of budgeting including delegation to staff. Track budgets on a regular basis.
• Prepare budgets and financial acquittals for all grant applications.
• Prepare Box Office reconciliation at the conclusion of the Festival.
• Manage the Administrator in all aspects of bookkeeping.
Grants:
• Manage the application and acquittal of all Australian government grants.
• Act as liaison person for all Australian government grants.
Venue Management and Production:
• Supervise all venue contract staff, including Production Manager, FOH Manager, Box Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator to ensure effective resourcing and delivery of all production and venue needs.
• Manage all venue negotiations and contracting.
• Ensure all legal requirements and risk assessments are met through consultation with the Production Manager.
Human Resources Management:
• Review and plan human resource needs.
• Oversee the recruitment and selection of all staff, volunteers and interns (excluding the Festival Director and General Manager).
• Oversee the induction, training and development of staff, volunteers and interns.
• Manage the legal requirements of staff, including remuneration and contracting.
• Manage all occupational health and safety requirements.
• Maintain appropriate records of staff leave accrual and time-sheets, appraisals, contracts, correspondence.
• Manage and oversee the role of the Administrator.
Please note that the Festival Director conducts all appraisals (apart from the Administrator’s).
Planning:
Develop and ensure delivery of all planning needs for the Festival, including:
• Business plan
• Staff work plans
• HR plan, including for volunteers and interns
• HREOC Action Plan for disability access
• Assist with the development, delivery and implementation of other plans as needed (e.g. implementation of new database).
The above plans will be developed with reference to the three-year Strategic Plan.
Governance and Legalities:
Ensure all governance and legal obligations are met, including:
• Requirements of the Festival’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.
• Board governance needs with assistance from Administrator.
• The annual audit.
Box Office and Ticketing:
• Negotiate and manage the provision of the Festival Box Office including the negotiation and contracting of the Box Office provider.
• Oversee the Box Office staff in conjunction with the Box Office Manager.
• Oversee the provision of all logistical resources needed to maintain the Box Office.
• Provide daily Box Office reports to the Festival Director as required.
About the Position:
This position is open to suitable candidates seeking flexible working arrangements.
Selection criteria:
Please provide an example of each of the following essential skills:
• Demonstrated experience in all aspects of account management and knowledge of accounting software the festival currently uses MYOB
• Demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles
• Demonstrated considerable experience in a managerial role, preferably in the arts or other not-for-profit organisation
• Demonstrated experience in human resource management, including experience working with volunteers
• Demonstrated experience in high-level report writing, grant applications and complex negotiations
• Excellent communication, negotiation, diplomatic and problem-solving skills
• Excellent leadership and team management skills
• Reliability and ability to work overtime (unpaid, a time-off-in-lieu-of-overtime policy operates), especially over the Festival (July to September)
• Demonstrated ability to take the initiative, especially in stressful situations
• Demonstrated ability to be effective in a wide range of tasks working under pressure and with limited resources
Please do not submit more than two pages (total) when responding to the selection criteria.
Application requirements:
Formal written applications in the form of a covering letter and resume (in one document) should be sent by email to: recruitment ‘at’ cprcomm.com.au
Applications are to arrive no later than 5pm Monday 3rd September 2012.
Successful applicants must be available for interview in the week following.
The application should include:
1. Personal details
Full name, address and contact details.
2. Response to selection criteria
Candidates are asked to respond to each of the selection criteria taking into account experience, past roles and expertise. Please do not submit more than two pages (total) when responding to the selection criteria.
3. Resume covering:
Positions held, including dates and details of present position and key achievements.
Details of education and professional training and qualifications.
Any other relevant information, such as offices held in professional bodies.
4. Referees
The name of three referees with contact details and an explanation as to the kind of insight these people might offer on your background and skills. Referees will not be contacted without your prior agreement.
5. Date of commencement
An indication of the earliest date on which the candidate would be available to commence duties at the Melbourne Writers Festival.
