Work with us

We are currently recruiting for a CEO/Festival Director and Partnerships Manager to join the team.

Partnership Manager

The Festival is seeking a Partnership Manager to contribute to the delivery of the Festival’s corporate engagement strategy.

In collaboration with the Executive Director, Marketing & Partnership Director and Partnership Consultant, the Partnership Manager will develop and implement strategies and initiatives aimed at securing and maintaining private support for the Festival and its suite of year-round programs delivered nationally and internationally.

The Partnership Manager works closely with internal departments and external stakeholders to ensure the smooth and successfully delivery of the Festival’s partnerships – from preparation of proposals, responding to sponsor enquiries, management and delivery of partner related activities and post-event reporting. For more information about the role please download a copy of the Position Description.

Applications close 9am Thursday 28 May.

To apply please submit a resume, along with with a written statement (maximum two pages) addressing the selection criteria for the position to Denise Damianos, Marketing & Partnerships Director, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, at jobs@comedyfestival.com.au.

CEO/Festival Director

We're seeking a CEO/Festival Director to help shape the future of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to guide this major Australian cultural institution with local, national and international significance.

Since its founding in 1987, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has grown from a grassroots celebration of local talent into a globally recognised cultural event. It has always been driven by a clear purpose: to create meaningful opportunities for artists to connect with audiences through exceptional contemporary comedy, while showcasing emerging and established voices from Australia and across the world.

Today the Festival occupies a vital place in Australia’s cultural landscape. It champions diversity, fosters creativity, and extends the global reach of comedy. Through flagship development programs such as Class Clowns, RAW Comedy and Deadly Funny, it has supported generations of performers, helping them refine their craft, build audiences, and access opportunities nationally and internationally. The organisation is active year-round with national and international touring, educational and artistic development programs complementing the presentation of the annual four-week festival.

In 2026, the Festival celebrated its 40th anniversary, with a program of over 800 shows across 26-days. The Festival’s live events are attended by an audiences of well over 700,000 every year, with millions more tuning into Festival programming on TV, radio and digital channels.

With the support of an engaged Board and a highly committed team, the organisation is well positioned for its next chapter. To help shape that future we are now seeking an exceptional leader who understands the most enduring cultural institutions are built on a thoughtful balance of artistic ambition and entrepreneurial determination.

The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of leading and evolving creative organisations. They will combine strong commercial and operational capability with genuine creative instinct and a deep commitment to the arts. Above all, they will understand how to balance bold artistic vision with disciplined execution.

For more information please contact Tony Grierson AEGEUS Executive Search 
P: +61 8 7160 2383
E: comedyfestival@aegeus.asia

Melbourne International Comedy Festival openly encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities, and is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for all employees that is free from discrimination and harassment. If you need any assistance with this application or have any questions regarding the inherent physical requirements of each position, please contact jobs@comedyfestival.com.au.