Work With Us

‘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 Australia’s thriving emerging literary scene.’

-ArtsHub on Emerging Writers’ Festival

Executive Director / co-CEO

We are on the hunt for EWF’s next Executive Director / co-CEO!

Location: Melbourne, Victoria (CBD Based office), with some working from home hours negotiable
Role Type: Full-time, ongoing (3-4 year KPIs)
Salary: $65,000 per annum, plus 12% Superannuation, and $1,500 professional development budget per year with 5 days per year of paid creative leave
Reporting to: EWF Chair & Board of Directors
Lateral Relationships: Artistic Director / co-CEO, external Stakeholders, The Wheeler Centre resident organisations

The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the logistics, finances, human resources, governance, and day-to-day management of the organisation.

The role works collaboratively with the Artistic Director/co-CEO to implement EWF’s strategic plan, maintaining best practice processes and overall organisational compliance, while ensuring the organisation’s sustainability.

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

PLEASE NOTE: This is a developmental position for an emerging arts worker.

We are interested in hearing from you if you believe you have the capability to develop the related skills and experience over your time in this role, or have previous experience with the below skills in personal or community settings. We are keen to hear your desired pathway for developing these skills and attributes in your time as EWF’s Executive Director/co-CEO.

The Executive Director must demonstrate:

– A passion for the work of EWF and a keen interest in the organisation’s target audience and mission.
– Experience delivering artistic programs/events with demonstrated high-level project management and problem-solving skills.
– Proven capability for the disciplined management of finances with some experience in the development and implementation of budgets and budget processes.
– Highly-developed people management, leadership and teamwork skills, with demonstrated experience in leading a team.
– Demonstrated capability for managing relationships with stakeholders, including securing, maintaining and working with partnerships and philanthropic relationships.
– Demonstrated ability to think strategically to achieve goals with a commitment to long-term planning and vision.

The Executive Director should also demonstrate the following personal characteristics:

– Resilience, drive, high motivation.
– Willingness and ability to learn new skills, processes, and to take ownership of tasks
– Natural and authentic leader – highly ethical, assured in all environments, poised and inspiring.
– Good listener, reflective and self-aware.
– Innately inclusive, creating a trusting and safe work environment.
– Curiosity and optimism about the future.
– Passion for storytelling in a variety of forms as well as the accessibility of arts and culture for all Australians.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must submit a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and why they think they would be a good fit for the job, and a current CV.

Only applications that address the Key Selection Criteria will be considered.

Applications must not exceed six pages in total and must be submitted in one document (word or PDF) with your surname as the file name.

Please submit your application to [email protected] with the subject APPLICATION: Executive Director

Applications close Monday October 12th, 5:00PM AEDT. Late applications will not be
accepted.

We encourage applicants to speak to the outgoing co-CEO/Executive Director, Jes Layton,
via ([email protected]) if they have any questions about the role.

EWF is an equal opportunity employer and provides a safe and inclusive space for all of its staff and stakeholders. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, LGBTIQA+ people and culturally and linguistically diverse applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE HERE
(word  / PDF)

Volunteering at 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.