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Venue Manager
Rugby World Cup Australia
Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 is rugby union’s pinnacle event contested every four years by the world’s best nations.
Job Posted- 29 Jul 2026
Status- Full Time
Location- Australia
Closing date- 10 Aug 2026
Rugby World Cup Australia is recruiting eight Venue Managers in a key leadership role within the Venue Management team, as the driving force responsible for the planning, readiness and operational delivery of one of the eight Rugby World Cup 2027 host stadiums. Reporting to the Senior Venues Manager, the role will lead venue planning activities from preparation through to tournament delivery, working closely with venue operators, host city stakeholders, contractors and internal Functional Areas to ensure all venue operations are integrated, compliant with World Rugby requirements and delivered to the highest standard. The Venue Manager will also contribute to broader tournament projects and support the successful delivery of Rugby World Cup 2027 across Australia.
Opportunities are available at:
· Adelaide Oval (Adelaide)
· Brisbane Stadium (Brisbane)
· Docklands Stadium (Melbourne)
· Newcastle Stadium (Newcastle)
· North Queensland Stadium (Townsville)
· Perth Stadium (Perth)
· Stadium Australia (Sydney)
· Sydney Football Stadium (Sydney)
Two Venue Manager positions will commence in October 2026, with the remaining six commencing in February 2027. Each Venue Manager will be based in their assigned host city and embedded within the local venue and stakeholder environment. The two Sydney-based roles will operate from the Rugby World Cup Australia Sydney office while supporting delivery at Stadium Australia or Sydney Football Stadium.
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
· Lead Venue Planning and Delivery. Lead the end-to-end planning, readiness and operational delivery of an assigned Rugby World Cup 2027 host venue, ensuring all activities are delivered on schedule, within budget and in accordance with World Rugby Venue Technical Guide requirements.
· Develop and Manage Venue Delivery Plans. Create, implement and maintain comprehensive venue delivery plans, operational schedules, readiness programmes, reporting frameworks and venue-specific operational requirements.
· Coordinate Venue Operations and Functional Area Integration. Act as the central point of coordination for venue operations, ensuring effective integration across tournament Functional Areas, teams, venue operators, contractors and service providers.
· Manage Stakeholder Relationships and Venue Readiness. Build and maintain strong relationships with venue operators, host city stakeholders and key external partners, while coordinating venue inspections, site visits, operational testing and stakeholder workshops to support venue readiness.
· Oversee Risk, Compliance and Operational Performance. Identify and manage operational risks, develop mitigation and contingency plans, and support the implementation of Health & Safety, Sustainability and Accessibility strategies across the venue.
· Manage Venue Access, Overlay and Event Operations. Coordinate venue access, bump-in and bump-out activities, overlay delivery and match-day operations, ensuring all venue activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with tournament requirements.
· Monitor Financials, Reporting and Post-Event Delivery. Manage venue and match-day budgets, settlements and cost control, prepare regular progress and risk reports, and oversee venue condition assessments, reinstatement activities and post-event requirements while contributing to tournament-wide venue projects as required.
Qualifications & Experience
· Minimum 3 years' experience in venue management, major events, sporting events or tournament operations. (mandatory)
· Demonstrated experience delivering operational planning, venue readiness and event delivery outcomes in complex event or venue environments.
· Strong understanding of major event Functional Areas and their integration within a venue environment, ensuring the successful coordination and delivery of event operations.
· Exceptional stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish credibility and work effectively with venue operators, host city stakeholders, contractors, government agencies and internal teams.
· Strong leadership, communication and influencing capability, with the ability to drive collaboration, alignment and accountability across teams without direct reporting authority.
· Highly developed project management, planning and organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, budgets, deadlines and operational deliverables in a fast-paced environment.
· Demonstrated problem-solving and risk management skills, with the ability to anticipate issues, develop mitigation strategies and make sound decisions in complex operational settings.
· Strong systems and technical proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel and PowerPoint). Experience using venue or event management platforms such as WeTrack, IVENTIS or similar systems is highly desirable.
· Flexibility to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends and event-time schedules, as required.
We offer
· Competitive salary: We know world-class talent deserves to be rewarded.
· Hybrid game plan: Work from home on Mondays and Fridays, with a 3-day in-office schedule (Tues-Thu), moving to full-time in-office in 2027 as the tournament approaches.
· Unbeatable location: A modern space across from Sydney's Hyde Park, just a 5-minute walk from Town Hall, surrounded by public transport, great cafes, restaurants, and shops.
· Wellbeing first: Weekly fresh fruit, Lunch & Learns and a focus on keeping our team feeling their best on and off the field.
· Locker-room ready: Showers, fresh towels, and Dyson hair tools so you can reset and refresh any time.
· Team spirit: Weekly drinks and social catchups that celebrate wins big and small.
· Make your mark: Play a key role in bringing the third largest sporting event in the world to life right here in Australia!
Australia's hosting of the Rugby World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game, celebrate our people and culture, and deliver lasting social and economic impact. At the heart of our mission is diversity, inclusion, and legacy ensuring Rugby's growth benefits all and inspires a new generation of players, fans, and communities. Join us in shaping an unforgettable celebration of Rugby, culture, and community.
How to Apply
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