Operations Manager – Events & Activations
Polite Playground is looking for an organised, proactive and hands-on Operations Manager to join our growing events and activations team.
We are open to both full-time and part-time candidates, depending on experience and availability.
Polite Playground delivers interactive experiences, photo activations, technology-driven installations and brand experiences for some of Australia’s leading brands. Our work takes us across events, venues and activations throughout Australia, so no two weeks are quite the same.
We’re looking for someone who enjoys making things happen — from planning equipment and staff through to being onsite and making sure everything runs smoothly.
About the Role
As Operations Manager, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the operational delivery of our events and activations from planning through to pack-down.
You’ll work closely with our Account Management and Leadership teams to turn event requirements into practical operational plans and ensure our staff, equipment and logistics are ready to go.
This is a hands-on role suited to someone who is comfortable working both behind a laptop and onsite at an event.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and coordinate the operational delivery of events and activations
- Manage event timelines, logistics, equipment and staffing requirements
- Coordinate bump-in, event operations and bump-out
- Manage and brief event staff, operators and contractors
- Ensure equipment is prepared, tested, packed and transported to site
- Coordinate freight, couriers, vehicles and equipment transfers between locations
- Manage and maintain company equipment and inventory
- Troubleshoot operational and basic technical issues onsite
- Develop and maintain operational checklists, run sheets and procedures
- Coordinate staff scheduling and ensure shifts are appropriately covered
- Work with Account Managers to understand client requirements and translate them into operational plans
- Ensure activations are delivered to a high standard and within agreed timelines
- Support the team during busy event periods and be comfortable jumping in wherever required
- Identify opportunities to improve operational processes, systems and efficiency
- Manage post-event pack-down, equipment returns and inventory checks
- Help build scalable processes as the business continues to grow
About You
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Highly organised and able to manage multiple projects at once
- A strong communicator who is comfortable working with clients, staff, suppliers and contractors
- Calm under pressure and confident solving problems on the fly
- Proactive and able to take ownership of tasks from start to finish
- Comfortable managing people and coordinating teams
- Practical and hands-on — you’re not afraid to get involved onsite
- Technically confident and comfortable working with event technology, printers, iPads, cameras, Wi-Fi and other equipment
- Photography experience is highly regarded — experience with DSLR or mirrorless cameras, lighting, photo booths or event photography would be an advantage
- Detail-oriented, particularly when it comes to logistics and event preparation
- Flexible and comfortable with occasional early starts, late finishes and weekend work when required
- Experienced in events, activations, production, operations, logistics or a similar environment
Experience
Previous experience in events, event production, activations, operations, logistics or a similar role is highly desirable.
Experience managing staff, equipment and multiple projects simultaneously will be highly regarded.
You don't need to know every piece of equipment we use on day one. What's more important is that you're technically capable, willing to learn and confident figuring things out when something doesn't go to plan.
Photography experience is also encouraged. If you've worked with cameras, lighting, photo booths or event photography, we'd love to hear about it.
Full-Time & Part-Time Opportunities
We are open to considering both full-time and part-time candidates for this position.
For the right person, there is flexibility around the number of days worked and the structure of the role.
The nature of events means that some flexibility around early mornings, evenings and weekends will be required, particularly during busy event periods.
What We Offer
- A varied role within a growing events and activations business
- The opportunity to work on exciting brand activations and events
- A hands-on position with genuine responsibility and ownership
- Full-time or part-time flexibility
- A collaborative and fast-paced working environment
- The opportunity to help shape and improve our operations as the business grows
- Work across a variety of venues, events and locations
- A role where no two days are the same
The Ideal Candidate
You might currently be working as an:
- Events Manager
- Event Operations Manager
- Event Producer
- Production Manager
- Operations Coordinator
- Senior Event Coordinator
- Logistics Manager
- Activation Manager
- Event Operations Coordinator
Or you may be in a similar role and ready to take the next step.
We’re also interested in hearing from people with a strong events, technical, photography or production background who are looking to move into a broader operations role.
If you're someone who likes organising people, solving problems, getting things done and seeing an event come together from start to finish, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now with your CV and a brief introduction telling us why you'd be a good fit for Polite Playground.
Pay: $35.00 – $45.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
