Event Officer Festivals & Events

Why work with us?

At Council, we’re proud of our region. We collaborate with community to achieve truly sustainable outcomes, enhance our enviable lifestyle, and create award-winning places and spaces that are uniquely Sunshine Coast. So, if you love it here as much as we do, and you want to shape our region for the future – you’ll want to join our team!

With the vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region - Connected. Liveable. Thriving, our region is a model of sustainability, where caring for our environment, creating vibrant communities and growing our local economy is a way of life.

About the Role

The Community Activation Branch brings people together, growing participation, connection, belonging and wellbeing through community events, festivals and celebrations. Working within a passionate and collaborative team, you'll contribute to programs and events that celebrate community, culture and connection while supporting Council's vision for a thriving and sustainable region.

As the Event Officer - Community Events, you will play a key role in planning, coordinating and delivering a diverse program of civic and community events on behalf of Council. You will work across all stages of event delivery including stakeholder engagement, administration, logistics, financial management, reporting and evaluation.

This position requires an experienced event professional with strong organisational and project coordination skills, exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. You will work closely with elected representatives, dignitaries, community organisations, sponsors, contractors, suppliers and internal stakeholders to deliver high-quality, customer-focused events that align with Council's strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the planning and delivery of civic and community events, ensuring outcomes are achieved safely, professionally and in accordance with Council requirements.
• Coordinate event operations, logistics, stakeholder engagement and onsite event delivery.
• Develop and maintain event administration systems, ensuring accurate record keeping, data integrity and compliance with Council processes.
• Manage event budgets, purchase orders, invoicing, financial tracking and administrative reporting.
• Prepare event documentation, schedules, run sheets, briefings, correspondence and post-event reports.
• Collect, analyse and compile event data, feedback and evaluation measures to inform reporting and continuous improvement.
• Utilise and maintain digital systems and platforms that support stakeholder engagement, invitation management, registrations, surveys, project tracking (Smartsheet), communications and reporting.
• Develop and manage databases, spreadsheets and reporting tools to support event planning, stakeholder management and performance measurement.
• Liaise effectively with dignitaries, elected representatives, government agencies, community organisations and event partners.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with sponsors, suppliers, contractors, internal business units and external stakeholders.
• Support the delivery of multiple events concurrently while assisting other team members to achieve collective team outcomes.
• Ensure all activities are undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, procedures and governance requirements.

About you

You will be a highly organised event professional with strong administration, stakeholder engagement and project coordination skills. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are comfortable managing multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

• Proven experience coordinating civic, community, or cultural events within a local government environment.
• Demonstrated experience working within local government frameworks, policies, procedures and governance requirements.
• Advanced event administration, financial management, records management and reporting skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, data management and the use of digital platforms that support stakeholder engagement, event registrations, invitations, surveys, communications, project management and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to manage databases, analyse information and compile accurate reports and event evaluations.
• Experience liaising with dignitaries, elected representatives, government agencies and senior stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare professional correspondence, reports and stakeholder communications.
• Strong customer service focus and ability to build productive relationships with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage competing priorities and support multiple projects and events simultaneously.
• Sound understanding of relevant legislation, risk management principles and event governance requirements.
• Qualifications in Event Management, Tourism, Business, Marketing or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant industry experience.

Our Culture & Employee Benefits

Council is committed to creating an inclusive, culturally diverse, healthy, skilled and dedicated workplace culture. As an employee you will enjoy a range of benefits and working styles to suit you:

• Wellbeing: Your wellbeing is important to us therefore we offer several different initiatives such as discounted health related memberships, fitness passport, employee assistance program and development opportunities. 
• Flexibility: We know it is important to balance life and work; therefore, we offer flexible working including a 9-day fortnight and a hybrid WFH model that help you be your best.
• Extras: Those extras make a difference therefore we offer salary packaging options on novated leases, superannuation, smartphones and devices.

How to apply

Your written application should include:

• A 1-2 page cover letter demonstrating your ability to fulfil the mandatory and desirable requirements on the Position Profile. Keep the key responsibilities in mind when addressing these criteria; and
• A current resume or curriculum vitae.

Once you have these two documents ready, click ‘Apply Now’ and follow the prompts to complete your application.

Further Information

Helpful information to assist you in completing your application is available on the Sunshine Coast Council website.

To learn more about Council’s vision and projects, you can view the Corporate Plan 2025-2030.

For specific enquiries contact Kerrie Alterator during business hours on 0488 680 232.

We're working hard to create an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to the Recruitment Team [email protected].

At Sunshine Coast Council, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background including First Nations, disability, religion and sexual orientation. To deliver the best service to our region we want a workforce that reflects the diverse community that we serve. Sunshine Coast Council strongly encourages all suitable applicants to apply for this role.