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Events Specialist Full Time NEW
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About Surfing Australia
Surfing Australia is a National Sporting Organisation formed in 1963 to establish, guide and promote the development of surfing in Australia. Our purpose is to create a healthier and happier Australia through surfing. Our vision is to continue to be one of Australia’s most loved sports, creating authentic heroes and champions to inspire the next generation to learn a skill for life. From grassroots participation to Olympic podiums, we work to develop, promote, and grow the sport at every level.
Our events objective is to deliver the world’s best competition pathway and surf lifestyle portfolio creating stoked competitors and new surf fans.
Visit surfingaustralia.com to learn more about our history, our strategic pillars and what we deliver to Australia’s surfing community.
About the role:
In this role of Events Specialist, your focus will be to lead and execute Events for Surfing Australia, delivering a mix of high quality competitive & lifestyle events portfolio across Australia, as well as account manage major partnerships including government, commercial and other brands we collaborate with.
This role reports to the Chief of Sport & Partnerships and is based at Surfing Australia’s High-Performance Centre and Surfing Australia HQ in Northern NSW at Casuarina, NSW. The role will work closely with the Events Manager who will also drive event operations, strategies and technical elements for the events team and continue to lead a range of major events.
This role requires domestic travel and weekend work throughout the year across Australia to deliver and plan the portfolio of events. (Approximately 10-12 weekends is required to be worked per year).
Key Responsibilities:
- Event lead on an exciting portfolio of national events including but not limited to multiple Australian Surfing Championships (National Titles), Australian Surfing Awards, Australian Online Junior Surfing Championships, Australian Interschool Surfing Championships, Government functions and other events on the national calendar.
- Support the Chief of Sport & Partnerships as well as the Event Manager with a range of event projects, planning, event delivery, partnership deliverables all to achieve this year’s events business plan and overall events objectives
- Manage and report on event budgets
- Lead team meetings and WIP’s, both internal and external
- Manage event staff and teams pre, during / onsite and post events
- Successfully manage events in conjunction State branches and other Surfing Australia departments (Media, Marketing, High Peformance, Partnerships and the HPC).
- Track & report performance of events
- Reach and or exceed KPI’s set for all events
- Council applications, permitting and stakeholder engagement
- Event site design and signage application
- Negotiating and drafting agreements and contracts
- Create opportunities for volunteers and internships
- Community engagement and local stakeholder communication
- Asset, signage and merchandise creation and distribution
- Booking accommodation, travel and catering
- Inventory and Equipment management including pre-event and post event packing/loading
- Surf Competition management and technical directing
- Research, application and management of government grants & funding
- Provide A+ partnership account management including government, commercial and other event suppliers
- Ensure strong relationships and deliver on contractual obligations
- Deliver partnership requirements at events
- Partnerships sales and support
- Build custom proposals and reports for events and partnerships
About You:
You are a highly organised, hardworking individual who has a love of sport, surfing and has initiative to get things done autonomously but also thrives on leading and motivating teams on the event site. You understand the Australian surfing competition system and our federated structure, know how to read swell, tides and winds, plus have had major event delivery and planning experience. You are also able to travel to events nationwide and deliver at the highest standard, plus approach challenges by thinking outside the square.
What we’re looking for:
- Strong event and project management skills
- Strong onsite event delivery experience, event planning and contractor management
- Hard working individual ready to get into onsite event operations
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build strong relationships at all levels
- Ability to lead and build strong teams
- Sound financial, budget management, reporting and administrative skills
- Experience in creating event and partnership proposals/solutions and comfortable with presenting and pitching to multiple stakeholders
- Strong knowledge of the Australian surfing ecosystem and landscape
- Able to work in a team environment and independently
- Strong work ethic and passionate about your career and about making a difference
- Influencing and leading in complex situations
- Strategic planning & ability to facilitate change
- Operational decision making, detailed oriented and innovative
- Strong delegation and empowerment skills
- High responsibility and accountability
- Bring energy with the ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment
- Commercial acumen and the skills to negotiate mutually beneficial partnerships
Key Attributes:
- Passionate surfer is highly regarded. The ability to convey the Surfing Australia story and vision with enthusiasm and background knowledge.
- Relevant University degree preferred but not essential
- Events/Project Management experience (ideally 2+years experience)
- Competent in Excel, Word & PowerPoint and other key Microsoft applications
- Experience with AI and other modern technology
- Understand Surfing landscape, locations, key event beaches and able to read surf, weather, tides, swell and forecasting
- Knowledgeable on our state branches and our federated structure
- Knowledgeable on Surfing Australia events ecosystem
- Knowledgeable on Surfing Australia event rules & rule book
- Knowledgeable on Australian beaches, surf conditions & communities
- Knowledgeable on Australian Board Rider clubs
- Knowledge of the Surfing Industry and brands
- Required Working with Children Check and Australian Drivers License
What we offer:
At Surfing Australia, we are committed to creating a supportive and flexible work environment based at Surfing Australia’s HQ at the Hyundai High-Performance Centre in Casuarina, Northern NSW. We offer a competitive salary, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to be part of an organisation that is dedicated to growing the sport of surfing in Australia.
- Complimentary on-site gym facilities available
- Lunchtime Team Surfs
- Opportunities for personal/career development
- Great work culture and annual program
- Industry merchandise discounts
- Dynamic team environment
- Domestic Travel opportunities
- Networking opportunities and ability to attend major events
If you want to join an organization full of passionate, energetic, and hardworking people, apply now.
In your cover letter, please include an explanation of why your experience is specifically relevant to this role with Surfing Australia and why this is your next career move.
Please also note that this role is based in our office at Casuarina, NSW, which is on the QLD/NSW border between the Gold Coast & Byron Bay.
Please email [email protected] for any questions you have throughout the application period.
Closing date for applications Monday 7th July 5pm 2025.
