Adelaide Festival Centre Trust is a leader in the arts in South Australia and an integral part of the State's cultural landscape. Adelaide Festival Centre Trust is dedicated to showcasing Australian artistic achievements, fostering the arts within our community, and leading the industry locally, nationally, and internationally. It manages dynamic, accessible spaces that inspire, entertain, and bring together diverse audiences and artists alike.

Adelaide Festival Centre Trust operates four theatres in the central business district – two lyric theatres (Festival Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre), a playhouse (Dunstan Playhouse) and a black box theatre (The Space). Adelaide Festival Centre Trust also holds a significant presence in the Riverbank Precinct and the Market/Chinatown Precinct.

As well as an established touring destination for national and international promoters and the home of several resident companies, Adelaide Festival Centre Trust presents four of its own festivals (Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Adelaide Guitar Festival, DreamBIG Children’s Festival and OzAsia Festival), a range of children’s, families and community performances and events, First Nations visual arts and literary programs, and manages the Performing Arts Collection and a suite of galleries.

The Role

Adelaide Festival Centre Trust is seeking a visionary and dynamic Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organisation and manage Adelaide Festival Centre Trust activities. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will possess international standing as a recognised and accomplished leader in the arts community and will be tasked with providing exceptional leadership to ensure Adelaide Festival Centre Trust continues to be nationally and internationally renowned in the arts and live performance sectors.

The CEO will oversee the development and execution of the next strategic plan, focusing on maintaining Adelaide Festival Centre Trust’s mission to be a year-round hub for arts and community engagement.

Key responsibilities include driving artistic and commercial success, expanding programming, overseeing large-scale redevelopment projects, and cultivating strong relationships with stakeholders including government bodies, home companies, presenters, artists, donors, sponsors, audiences and the media.

As CEO, you will lead a skilled executive team, manage Adelaide Festival Centre Trust’s operations, and ensure compliance with legislative obligations. You will also foster a workplace culture based on integrity, diversity, and inclusivity while serving as the ambassador to the public and stakeholders. The role also includes overseeing financial performance, governance, and risk management, ensuring the successful delivery of strategic and operational objectives.

The Candidate

Adelaide Festival Centre Trust is seeking an inspirational leader with exceptional strategic vision and a proven track record of success in leading arts institutions and/or large-scale organisations in adjacent sectors. The ideal candidate will possess strong commercial acumen, transformational leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of the arts industry.

Experience in managing large teams, complex projects, and large-scale redevelopment is highly desirable, along with the ability to navigate the public sector environment.

You will bring a proven track record of balancing short-term goals and long-term vision. A proven capacity to build and nurture relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government, philanthropists and corporate sponsors, is essential. The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for the arts, a deep commitment to community engagement, and a leadership style that inspires and motivates staff, ensuring operational excellence and a positive organisational culture.

For more information and to request a copy of the position description please contact Courtenay Atwell at adelaidefestivalcentre@kornferry.com. This role will be offered in a full-time capacity for five years in the first instance.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter addressing the selection criteria adelaidefestivalcentre@kornferry.com Please do not apply via I Work for SA.

Applications close midnight on Sunday 5 January 2025.