Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) markets Melbourne as one of the world’s leading business events destinations and is responsible for identifying and securing national and international conventions, corporate meetings, exhibitions, and incentive travel programs to generate economic and social impact for Melbourne and regional Victoria. MCB is a subsidiary of Visit Victoria.
We’re looking for an experienced people leader and relationship builder to lead the day-to-day delivery of MCB’s Sector Engagement function.
Reporting to the General Manager, Sector Engagement, you’ll lead a team responsible for developing international business event opportunities across MCB’s priority sectors. This hands-on role combines people leadership, business development and stakeholder engagement, with oversight of planning, pipeline management and sector strategies that support conversion outcomes for Melbourne and Victoria.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and supporting the Sector Engagement Managers and Coordinator to deliver agreed priorities, KPIs and business objectives.
- Managing the day-to-day operations of the function, including team planning, workflow, activity tracking and reporting.
- Managing a portfolio of international leads and developing tailored sector strategies to support conversion.
- Leading the identification, qualification and development of business event opportunities aligned with MCB’s priority sectors.
- Overseeing engagement with associations, local hosts, academia, industry and other sector stakeholders.
- Maintaining strong pipeline management and CRM discipline across the team, with clear visibility of opportunities, progress and risks.
- Working with internal teams to progress qualified opportunities, support bid development and contribute to conversion outcomes.
- Leading the operational delivery and coordination of the Victorian Advocates Network program.
- Supporting the General Manager with planning, reporting and preparation for key client, association and stakeholder engagements.
- Coaching team members and identifying opportunities to strengthen processes, collaboration and ways of working.
About you
You are a collaborative and commercially minded leader who knows how to bring focus and momentum to a busy team. You’re comfortable moving between team leadership, operational delivery and senior stakeholder engagement, and you understand how strong relationships can be developed into meaningful business opportunities.
You bring sound judgement, initiative and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities while keeping the broader strategic objective in view.
You will bring:
- Experience in stakeholder engagement, business development, association engagement, client relationship management or a related area.
- Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating a team to deliver agreed priorities, KPIs and outcomes.
- Strong relationship management skills and the ability to establish trust with clients, associations, industry stakeholders and internal teams.
- Experience identifying, developing or progressing leads, bids, partnerships or strategic business opportunities.
- Strong operational planning and organisational skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, briefings, client materials and stakeholder updates.
- Sound judgement and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and develop practical solutions.
- Experience using CRM systems, pipeline data, reporting tools or stakeholder records.
- Experience in business events, tourism, major events, associations, government, economic development or industry development will be highly regarded.
At the Melbourne Convention Bureau, we provide an employment experience that ignites and challenges any imaginations.
- Our work makes a positive impact on the Victorian community.
- Access to a range of amazing events and functions from sporting to cultural and more!
- Access to ‘3 Ignite Days’ to explore Melbourne or Regional Victoria to nurture your sense of adventure on us.
- Generous parental leave and paid volunteering days.
- A hybrid working model and open contemporary working facilities.
Culture & Values
The Melbourne Convention Bureau provide an inclusive workplace which supports and fosters growth, professional development and delivering exceptional results for our partners, clients and industry.
Our values are embedded in our culture and communication.
- Passion – We love what we do.
- Creativity – Imagination without boundaries
- Collaboration – We work as one.
- Growth – We embrace growth and challenges.
- Connection – We are connected to people, culture and our country.
Join us in shaping Melbourne as a global leader in business events and be part of Melbourne Convention Bureau’s impactful initiatives. Your patience, solutions-oriented thinking, and passion for events and tourism will make a significant impact in this role.
To apply for this role, please submit your updated resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you believe you are the ideal candidate for this position.
This job advertisement is open until Close of Business, 19 July 2026. We encourage early applications as interviews may commence before the closing date. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.
