Live Entertainment Theatre Venue Manager

About the Role

Fitzroy St Theatre is seeking an experienced, commercially minded and hands-on Venue Manager to oversee the day-to-day operation, growth and presentation of the venue.

This is a broad and varied role suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced live entertainment environment and enjoys taking ownership across operations, venue hire sales, customer service, staffing and event delivery.

The Venue Manager will be responsible for ensuring the theatre operates efficiently, professionally and safely, while also actively driving venue hire opportunities and delivering an excellent experience for producers, hirers, artists and audiences.

You will be the central point of contact for the venue and will work closely with management, producers, suppliers, contractors, staff and clients to ensure every event is delivered to a high standard.

Key Responsibilities

Venue Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of Fitzroy St Theatre.

• Ensure the venue is presented, maintained and operated to a consistently high standard.

• Coordinate venue access, rehearsals, performances, events, bump-ins and bump-outs.

• Manage venue schedules, bookings and operational calendars.

• Liaise with hirers, producers, production teams, artists, contractors and suppliers.

• Ensure all venue equipment, facilities and public areas are operational and appropriately maintained.

• Coordinate cleaning, security, maintenance and other venue services as required.

• Identify operational improvements and implement systems that increase efficiency and improve the customer experience.

Venue Hire Sales & Business Development

• Manage incoming venue hire enquiries from initial enquiry through to confirmation.

• Proactively identify and develop new venue hire opportunities.

• Conduct venue inspections and meetings with prospective hirers.

• Prepare venue hire proposals, quotes and packages.

• Negotiate, Prepare, issue and manage venue hire agreements and contracts.

• Maintain strong relationships with existing clients and encourage repeat business.

• Monitor the local market and identify opportunities to increase venue utilisation and revenue.

• Maintain an accurate pipeline of prospective and confirmed bookings.

Event & Production Management

• Work with clients to understand the operational and technical requirements of their events.

• Coordinate event schedules, staffing requirements, technical needs and venue logistics.

• Ensure relevant event information is communicated clearly to all departments and contractors.

• Oversee events and performances as required, including evenings and weekends.

• Troubleshoot operational issues quickly and professionally.

• Ensure events are delivered in accordance with venue policies, contracts and agreed requirements.

Customer Communications & Support

• Act as a key point of contact for customers attending events at the venue or liaise with onsite staff as needed.

• Respond to general customer enquiries relating to performances, venue access, accessibility, facilities and event information.

• Provide clear, timely and professional communication to customers before, during and after events as required.

• Assist customers with refund and exchange requests in accordance with the relevant producer, event or ticketing policies.

• Liaise with producers and ticketing providers where escalation or approval is required.

• Assist in resolving customer complaints and concerns in a calm, professional and solutions-focused manner.

• Ensure customer-facing venue information is accurate and up to date.

• Support front-of-house staff with customer service issues during performances and events.

Marketing Support

• Support marketing activity for Fitzroy St Theatre and its events as required.

• Ensure event listings, venue information and promotional materials are accurate and up to date.

• Coordinate with producers and marketing teams regarding venue assets, signage, promotional opportunities and campaigns.

• Assist with social media, email marketing, database activity and local area marketing where required.

• Identify opportunities to increase the profile of the theatre within the entertainment, corporate and local community markets.

Staff Recruitment, Training & Management

• Recruit casual and operational venue staff as required.

• Prepare staff rosters in line with event requirements and budgets.

• Induct and train staff in venue procedures, customer service standards, emergency procedures and operational expectations.

• Lead and supervise front-of-house and venue staff during events.

• Build a positive, professional and accountable workplace culture.

• Monitor staff performance and address training or performance issues where required.

• Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained while controlling labour costs.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Assist with venue budgets, forecasts and financial reporting.

• Monitor venue hire revenue, event costs, staffing costs and operational expenditure.

• Coordinate invoicing, deposits, bonds and payments relating to venue hire.

• Ensure contracts, booking documentation and client records are maintained accurately.

• Provide regular updates and reports on bookings, sales activity, upcoming events and operational matters.

• Assist management with developing pricing structures, packages and commercial initiatives.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure the venue operates in accordance with relevant occupational health and safety requirements.

• Take an active, visible role in maintaining a safe environment for patrons, staff, performers, contractors and hirers at all times.

• Maintain emergency procedures and ensure staff understand their responsibilities.

• Ensure staff are appropriately trained in emergency response, evacuation procedures, incident reporting and safe work practices.

• Ensure appropriate licences, permits, insurance requirements and compliance documentation are maintained.

• Conduct or coordinate venue inspections and risk assessments where required.

• Identify hazards promptly and ensure appropriate corrective action is taken, including during bump-ins, bump-outs, rehearsals and performances.

• Work with hirers, producers and contractors to ensure event-specific risks are identified and managed appropriately.

• Ensure incidents are appropriately documented, escalated and managed.

• Maintain clear records of incidents, hazards, maintenance concerns and follow-up actions.

• Maintain safe working practices for staff, contractors, performers and patrons.

About You

We are looking for someone who is confident taking ownership of a venue and understands that running a successful theatre requires both strong operational discipline and a commercial mindset.

You will ideally have:

• Experience in venue management, theatre management, live entertainment, hospitality, events or a similar environment.

• Strong organisational and operational management skills.

• Experience dealing with clients, producers, promoters or event organisers.

• Strong sales, negotiation and relationship-management skills.

• Confidence preparing proposals, quotes and commercial agreements.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong customer service instincts and the ability to manage difficult situations calmly and professionally.

• Experience recruiting, rostering, training and managing casual staff.

• An understanding of theatre, box office and ticketing environments, without necessarily being responsible for the technical administration of ticketing systems.

• A strong understanding of venue safety, risk management and emergency procedures, with the confidence to identify and address hazards proactively.

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously.

• Commercial awareness and an understanding of budgets, labour costs and venue profitability.

• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and willingness to be hands-on when required.

• Confidence working independently while maintaining clear communication with senior management.

• Availability to work evenings, weekends and public holidays when required by the venue's event schedule.

Experience within theatre, performing arts or live entertainment will be highly regarded.

Please note this role involve after hours and weekend work.

What Success Looks Like

The successful Venue Manager will:

• Keep the theatre running smoothly, safely and professionally.

• Grow venue hire enquiries, confirmed bookings and repeat business.

• Develop strong relationships with producers, hirers and industry partners.

• Deliver consistently high standards of customer and audience service.

• Ensure customer enquiries and issues are handled promptly and professionally.

• Maintain efficient staffing and operational costs.

• Ensure events are well planned and executed.

• Build strong systems and processes that allow the venue to operate efficiently.

• Establish Fitzroy St Theatre as a welcoming, professional and sought-after venue within Melbourne's entertainment and events community.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take ownership of an exciting St Kilda venue and play a significant role in its growth.

The position offers considerable variety, combining venue management, events, sales, customer experience and live entertainment. It will suit someone who enjoys being at the centre of the action and wants the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the success of a venue.