Manager, Stadium Events, Resilience & Services

ABOUT US

As an organisation, the AFL works tirelessly in all states and at all levels to enhance and grow the game – from grassroots to elite. Together, we put on the game, deliver important events, communicate with our fans, run community programs, develop coaches and umpires, collaborate with partners, delight members, support clubs and so much more. While our roles may vary, we are all united by a common goal, to progress the game so that everyone can share in its heritage and possibilities.

The AFL is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care. Please note, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld, this includes ensuring the successful candidate to this position holds a valid employee Working with Children/ Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer and firmly believe that diversity and inclusion is an important part of both the AFL and the communities in which we operate. Our game is for everyone, and we strive to be a workplace for everyone.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Marvel Stadium is one of the busiest multi-purpose stadiums in the world, welcoming over two million patrons each year through its gates. As the home of elite AFL matches, Marvel Stadium also hosts international sporting events, major concerts, and entertainment experiences, showcasing global stars like Coldplay, Paul McCartney, P!NK, and Oasis.

The Manager, Stadium Events, Resilience & Services is a senior leadership role within the Stadium Operations team, responsible for overseeing a dynamic team of industry professionals, planning and delivery of high-profile major events, driving strategic change, fostering complex stakeholders and fostering resilience across security, risk, health, safety and environmental (HSE) management. This position leads a team of 9, including Senior Event Managers, Event Managers and Coordinators, ensuring the highest standards in stadium events while balancing safety, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the department across a complex portfolio of events and stakeholders providing end-to-end planning and execution of major stadium events, ensuring seamless delivery
• Provide strategic leadership to the stadium events team, ensuring operational excellence fostering a culture of continuous improvement
• Ensure the development, execution and delivery of stadium operating procedures and systems that support and deliver operational effectiveness and efficiency across all stadium discipline
• Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, driving engagement and career opportunity
• Champion a culture of innovation, resilience, and collaboration creating a high achieving, results-driven, workplace
• Act as the Chief Warden on event days, coordinating emergency response protocols
• Oversee detailed planning and execution of major stadium events, concerts, and standalone sporting fixtures
• Ensure the professional and polished delivery of event documentation and presentations to hirers, stakeholders and staff ensuring comprehensive understanding of each event(s) detail and guaranteeing operational readiness across all disciplines
• Deliver effective, safe and efficient crowd management protocols and practices tailored to each event, audience and operational overlay
• Oversee event logistics, security planning, crowd management, and risk mitigation strategies as well as operational coordination
• Ensure all event records across security, safety and risk are accurately captured, reported and followed up to legislative, organisational and best practice standards
• Work in conjunction with allocated specialists and organisational peers to support and implement resilience strategies across stadium operations, focusing on security, risk, and HSE
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, emergency preparedness, and incident response planning
• Initiate and drive collaboration with external and internal stakeholders regarding emergency response, security and local authorities
• Act as a key liaison between the Head of Stadium and internal/external Marvel Stadium stakeholders
• Build strong partnerships with event promoters, sporting organisations, emergency services, and governing bodies acting at the key liaison for Transport Victoria, regulatory bodies, and local government agencies
• Play a key role in negotiation of stadium related contracts across hirers, partners and suppliers ensuring strong commercial and operational outcomes.
• Drive strategic change initiatives to enhance stadium event services and operational efficiency
• Deliver quality post-event data and industry reports to analyse trends to drive contemporary event innovations
• Drive improvements in crowd dynamics, safety protocols, and stadium infrastructure
• Lead stadium wide initiatives to optimize delivery and commercial opportunities
• Develop and manage event budgets, optimising cost efficiency while maintaining world-class event standards
• Prepare detailed event estimates delivering accurate forecasts that support timely event settlements
• Provide regular performance reports, detailing financial outcomes, operational efficiency, and strategic recommendations
• Support revenue-generating initiatives aligned with the stadium’s commercial objectives

MANDATORY EXPERIENCE

• 7 years + experience with large crowd capacities (20k +) and the intricacies of multiple activations.
• Established knowledge of venue operations across major event production, staffing, security, facilities, and merchandising
• Proven leadership of a senior team of professional (min. 4 personnel) in a complex stadium, venue or event environments that requires a large scale (500+) workforce overlay
• Expertise in venue infrastructure, safety regulations, and strong understanding crowd management strategies, techniques and behaviours
• Expertise in planning event logistics, resilience planning, security, and risk management in a major event, stadium or venue environment
• Ability to negotiate contracts, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive positive event outcomes.
• Experience in developing and delivering comprehensive documentation operational policies and procedures
• Skilled in incident response, crisis management, and emergency preparedness.
• Deep understanding of large-scale event operations, logistics, and stadium-specific event requirements
• Experience in holding Chief Warden or Deputy Chief Warden responsibilities in a public event environment
• Qualification/s in Event Management or similar disciplines

DESIRABLE SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES 

• Ability to motivate, mentor, and drive high performance across direct reports
• Strong change management skills, capable of implementing new processes and efficiencies.
• Ability to assess vulnerabilities and implement proactive strategies for stadium safety
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with executive stakeholders, promoters, and governing bodies
• Quick-thinking and adaptable in fast-paced live event environments
• Capable of analysing complex issues and making sound operational decisions
• A strategic mindset focused on long-term stadium improvements

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Required to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays, depending on major event schedules.
• Involves both office-based strategic planning and on-site event oversight

OUR CULTURE

Please visit www.afl.com.au/careers/our-organisation

Applications Close: 30 June 2025