Music Programmer

About Geelong Arts Centre

We are at the creative heart of Geelong, serving as a vital artery that connects creative industries with community, bridging local stories with global thinking to deliver extraordinary experiences. As a key State cultural organization - uniquely positioned as the only regional agency of our kind - we combine high-calibre productions with deep local accessibility, creating a space where community members can be on stage one night and in the audience the next.

Through our programming spanning performance, education, commercial productions and creative development, we nurture both established and emerging artists while celebrating the diverse voices of our community. Our recently completed $140m Little Malop Street Redevelopment marks an exciting evolution in our journey, expanding our capacity to serve as a creative hub that is profoundly local yet globally relevant. From our innovative Creative Engine initiatives supporting local artists to our dynamic performance seasons and commitment to First Nations voices, we stand as a beacon for artistic excellence and cultural connection in the G21 region.  

About the role

The Music Programmer is responsible for driving the growth and financial success of live music and other performance programming and hiring across all Geelong Arts Centre venues, including The Church and Costa Hall and all Geelong Arts Centre venues.

With a strong focus on sales, partnerships, and venue utilisation, the Music Programmer plays a key role in building relationships with artists, promoters, and commercial clients, while also supporting the development of emerging and local talent, particularly in live music. The role contributes to a dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable program that balances community engagement with commercial viability.

The Music Programmer will manage and oversee all aspects of venue operations and programming delivery from end to end for The Church. The Church is a new 100-seat venue, positioned as an artist-led, low-cost space prioritising accessibility for artists. The venue will focus primarily on supporting local live music and young audiences whilst also offering opportunities for local independent companies including theatre, dance and other artforms. This includes to ensure seamless coordination across bookings, contract negotiation, event planning, budget management, and event settlement for The Church. They are also instrumental in shaping audience development strategies and positioning Geelong Arts Centre as a leading destination for live performance in the region.

Key Requirements

• Extensive experience (5+ years) in venue or event bookings, commercial producing, programming, and the live music industry, with proven success in curating and delivering music events in venue-based or festival contexts.
• Strong industry networks and established relationships with agents, promoters, and touring artists, coupled with a deep understanding of the current live music landscape and a passion for discovering new talent.
• Art-form specialisation ideally in contemporary music, as well as a broad knowledge and understanding across the performing arts
• Significant knowledge and experience working in the contemporary music touring circuit with extensive national and international network.
• Demonstrated ability to meet and exceed revenue targets.
• Highly developed project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple events concurrently, manage timelines, delegate effectively, and ensure the seamless delivery of events from planning through to settlement.
• Proven expertise in contract negotiation, budget development and oversight, artist engagement, and management of hire agreements and settlements, with high attention to detail and a strategic approach to event planning.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Established contacts in the Geelong music scene.
• Experience in producing diverse art forms, including but not limited to comedy, theatre, and dance.
• Experience in cultivating commercial partnerships.
• Familiarity with event and ticketing software systems.
• Experience in community engagement and supporting emerging artists.
• A passion for cultural development and a commitment to inclusive programming.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise confidently with a wide range of stakeholders, alongside sound knowledge of technical production elements including sound, lighting, and staging requirements.

Special requirements

• Flexibility in working hours to support daytime, evening, and weekend work will be required as part of the normal hours of duty for this position.
• This role is based on-site at Geelong Arts Centre at 50 Little Malop Street.
• The following checks, licenses and certifications are required for this role: Working with Children’s Check (employee)

Sound like you? Then we want to hear from you!

To apply please click the apply button and provide a CV and cover letter that outlines your experience and current availability.

Applications close at midnight, Friday 4 July 2025

Please direct any queries to: employment@geelongartscentre.org.au