The Event Manager leads the planning, delivery and continuous improvement of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’s events portfolio, ensuring events are high-quality, well-governed, on-brand and strategically aligned.

This role has end-to-end responsibility for events across fundraising, Gifts in Wills, brand, community, partnerships and internal engagement. It provides leadership to the events team and acts as the central point of coordination for event delivery across the organisation, ensuring events deliver exceptional supporter experiences, strong commercial outcomes and meaningful brand impact.

Key Responsibilities

Lead & Deliver Exceptional Events

• Manage the end-to-end delivery of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’s events portfolio, including major flagship and community events.
• Ensure events are delivered to a high standard, on time and within budget.
• Act as the organisational lead for key events such as the AGM, Graduation Events, Morning Teas, All Paws and community-led events.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop the events team, providing clear direction, prioritisation and support.

• Establish clear roles, responsibilities and workflows across the events function.

• Balance delivery demands with team capacity, wellbeing and performance.

Stakeholder & Partner Management

• Build strong, collaborative relationships across Marketing, Fundraising, Gifts in Wills, Philanthropy, Digital and Client Services.

• Integrate events into broader campaigns, supporter journeys and engagement strategies.

• Manage suppliers, venues, talent and partners professionally and effectively.

Governance, Risk & WHS

• Ensure all events comply with WHS policies, risk management frameworks and approval processes.

• Oversee risk assessments, documentation and approvals.

• Prioritise the safety and wellbeing of staff, volunteers, clients, dogs and attendees.

Innovation, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Evolve event concepts and formats to improve supporter experience, engagement and fundraising or partnership outcomes.

• Use post-event reporting and insights to drive continuous improvement.

• Identify opportunities to increase event-led value, including supporter acquisition, stewardship impact and brand reach.

Desired Experience & Skills

Essential

• Demonstrated experience delivering multiple events concurrently in a fast-paced environment.

• Proven experience leading or supervising staff in an events or project-based role.

• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.

• High-level planning, organisational and problem-solving capability.

• Experience managing budgets, suppliers and complex logistics.

• Strong understanding of WHS and risk management in event delivery.

• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on delivery.

• A creative, solutions-focused mindset with a strong focus on commercial outcomes and return on investment.

Desirable

• Experience in not-for-profit, fundraising or community-based events.

• Qualifications in Events, Marketing, Communications or Project Management.

• Experience working with CRM systems and event platforms.

• Experience delivering events for diverse audiences, including supporters, donors, clients and partners.

Benefits that Guide Dogs offer: 

As a member of the Guide Dogs team, you will have access to a wide range of benefits tailored to your needs.

• A competitive remuneration package is available commensurate with skills and experience, which includes tax free salary packaging of up to $15,900. 
• EAP - Get support when you need it with Employee Assistance Program counselling sessions.
• Me Days – Receive two paid days per year to support your health and wellbeing.
• Paid Parental Leave – take time to bond with your new child with 15 weeks paid leave after qualification period
• The option to purchase up to 4 weeks additional leave each year.
• Employee benefits program and Reward and Recognition program.
• Annual flu vaccinations. 
• Support for your professional development including paid study leave and educational assistance.
• Join an organisation that makes a meaningful and positive impact on our society.

Guide Dogs Values: 

• Our clients come first in everything we do 
• Walk the Talk - The buck stops with us. So we keep our word and keep going, no matter what.
• Lead with Head and Heart - Forever focused on our purpose and mission, we combine care and careful planning to deliver successes worth celebrating.
• Lift each other - From a guiding hand to a high five, we unleash and acknowledge everyone's potential.
• Never stop exploring - We're fearlessly creative. We've always asked and answered the tough questions and if there's a better way, we'll find it. 

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT are proud to be an inclusive workplace that reflects our clients and the broader community and are committed to providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. We offer equal employment opportunity regardless of your disability, gender or gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital or domestic status, carer status, or political opinion.

If you require an adjustment within the recruitment process, please contact jobs@guidedogs.com.au to inform us of your preferred method of communication.