‘If you’re an up-and-coming writer, this is the place to get your foot in the door… as you’ll make invaluable connections within Melbourne’s thriving emerging literary scene.’

-ArtsHub on Emerging Writers’ Festival

Artistic Director & co-CEO

We’re looking for a new Artistic Director!

Role type: Full time, Ongoing

Salary: $65,000 per annum + statutory superannuation

Applications close: 11PM AEDT, 26th November

About the Role

The Artistic Director is a key member of the Executive team, working closely with the Executive Director & Co-CEO to support the organisation in realising EWF’s strategic vision and plan by presenting a program of national reach and significance that is relevant, representative, and accessible to emerging writers of all kinds.

This is a rare opportunity for an emerging arts leader to develop their skills at an executive level and gain experience leading one of Australia’s premier literary festivals. The role would suit an ambitious all-rounder with experience in delivering artistic events and festivals looking to take the next step in their career. Management experience in an arts context is desirable, and enthusiasm and passion for who we are and what we do is a must.

The Artistic Director is responsible for curating and leading EWF’s creative programs, designing and delivering innovative and engaging programs which address current and topical issues for storytellers of all kinds, and create professional development opportunities for artists, attendees, and staff. The role works collaboratively with the Executive Director to implement the EWF’s strategic plan and maintain best practice processes to deliver our suite of artistic programs.

The Artistic Director plays a key role in representing EWF at events and in media interviews and is responsible for developing and maintaining key relationships with sponsors, partner organisations and industry bodies. 

While this is an ongoing role it is envisioned that the Artistic Director would oversee three annual festival cycles (2025, 2026 and 2027). It is expected that at the end of three festival cycles, the Artistic Director will be ready to seek new challenges.

Please Note: As this is a developmental position for an emerging leader, we are interested in hearing from you if you believe you have the right attributes, and the capability to develop and gain the related skills and experience over your time in the role. We would love to hear about your development and application of these skills and attributes in personal or community settings, as well as previous professional settings. We are keen to hear how you would envision applying and developing these skills and attributes to the AD role at EWF.

Applications close November 26th at 11:00PM AEDT.

How to Apply

• • •For full details, please see the Position Description (PDF / DOCX)
  • •Applicants must submit a CV and a cover letter addressing your interest in the role and the attributes listed above. This must be submitted in one document no longer than 6 pages in total (word or PDF) with your surname as the file name;
  • •Please submit your application to [email protected] with the subject APPLICATION: Artistic Director;
  • •Interviews will be held in the first two weeks of December, with possible second interviews the week commencing 16 December. Please advise in your cover letter if you will not be available during this period;
  • •The successful applicant would ideally start before the end of January 2025, but this is negotiable for the right candidate.

EWF is an equal opportunity employer and provides a safe and inclusive space for all our staff and stakeholders. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, LGBTIQAP+ people and culturally and racially marginalised applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. If applicants have any questions about the role they can email the Deputy Chair, Gab Ryan, at [email protected]

Applications close November 26th at 11:00PM AEDT.

Other Opportunities

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Volunteering & EWF

Since our 2022 festival, EWF’s (unpaid) Volunteer Program has been re-developed into an ongoing partnership with RMIT University’s schools of Media and Communication: Creative Writing, Masters of Writing and Publishing, and Professional Writing and Editing in order to provide development within the literary sector to festival volunteers that is more structured and equitable.

You can learn more about the Volunteer program here.