Manager, Stadium Events (Resilience & Services)

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 responsible for the planning and delivery of high-profile major events. 

The role will take ownership of 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.  

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF  

 Below is a detailed overview of the key responsibilities for this newly created position.  For seasoned industry professionals these will no doubt be familiar and we’re looking for someone who wants to leverage their existing skills in these areas.  If you find yourself ticking the box on most of these we’d love to see your application.  

Lead and Oversee Major Event Delivery 

• Provide end-to-end leadership and strategic oversight of all major events at Marvel Stadium, including AFL fixtures, concerts, and standalone sporting events.
• Ensure seamless execution by coordinating operational teams, aligning stakeholder expectations, and driving event readiness across all departments.  

Strategic Leadership and People Management 

• Directly lead the stadium events team, providing clear strategic direction and fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor senior staff and support professional development pathways, building a high performing, engaged team capable of delivering world-class events.  

Operational Excellence and Systems Leadership 

• Ensure the development, execution, and continual refinement of operating procedures, event protocols, and operational systems that support effective, efficient, and consistent delivery across all stadium functions and disciplines.  

Emergency Management and Event Day Command  

• Act as Chief Warden on event days, leading the coordination of emergency response procedures and ensuring readiness for all critical incident scenarios.
• Collaborate with emergency services, internal teams, and external partners to ensure a safe and controlled environment for all patrons and staff.  

Crowd Management and Safety Leadership 

• Drive the delivery of robust crowd management strategies tailored to each event’s unique operational overlay.
• Ensure practices meet legislative, risk, and safety requirements while enhancing patron experience and operational effectiveness.  

Stakeholder Engagement and Industry Partnerships 

• Act as a key liaison for the Head of Stadium, representing the stadium to internal teams, event promoters, sporting bodies, government agencies, and local authorities.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships to ensure collaborative event planning and mutually beneficial outcomes.

  Commercial and Contractual Oversight 

• Play a lead role in the negotiation and management of event-related contracts, ensuring favourable commercial outcomes while balancing operational needs.
• Work closely with partners and hirers to align expectations and ensure premium service delivery.  

Data-Led Insights and Continuous Improvement 

• Deliver detailed post-event analysis and industry reporting to inform future planning.
• Use data insights to identify trends, evaluate event success, and implement innovative improvements across stadium services and infrastructure.  

Financial Stewardship and Budget Management 

• Develop and manage event budgets with precision, ensuring cost-effective operations without compromising quality or safety.
• Deliver accurate forecasts, monitor expenditure, and support the timely reconciliation of event settlements.  

Driving Strategic Change and Innovation 

• Lead change initiatives that enhance the stadium's event delivery capabilities and long-term operational strategy.
• Promote a culture of adaptability and excellence, driving continuous improvement across the stadium’s event services model  

 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  

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  

 THE PERKS  

• Play The Day Your Way - a flexible approach to your working life  

• My Development - lean into the AFL's My Development program consisting of on-the-job training, coaching and mentoring, and formal learning  

• Play Well - access to our extensive Health and Wellbeing program centered around our belief in a healthy body, healthy mind, and healthy workplace  

• My Benefits - with thanks to our AFL Corporate Partners, access great benefits and discounts  

• AFL Silver Memberships - permanent team members can access AFL matches at Marvel Stadium and the MCG, enjoy and share the experience of our game with your family and friends!  

Applications Close: 8 July 2025