Position Title: Communications Manager  

Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent Employment Contract 

Location: MFF Offices, Duckboard House, 91–93 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000 

Reports to: Head of Marketing  

Commencement: Immediate / negotiable 

Role Objective 

The Communication Manager is responsible for the planning, development and delivery of the Festival’s integrated public relations, media partnership and talent engagement functions, ensuring all activity is strategically aligned, creatively compelling, commercially effective and operationally excellent. 

The role reports into and works in close collaboration with the Head of Marketing to translate the Festival’s vision, brand and programming into impactful campaigns that drive brand awareness, audience growth, ticket sales and stakeholder engagement.  

The role requires an experienced communications expert with a deep understanding of public relations, media partnerships, talent engagement, partnerships marketing, and corporate and crisis communications, alongside proven experience delivering integrated campaigns within major events, fashion, arts, cultural or entertainment organisations.   

Key Responsibilities 

Communications Strategy & Campaign Delivery 

• Work closely with the Head of Marketing to develop and deliver the Festival’s integrated PR, media partnership and talent strategy, annual planning calendar and go-to-market critical path.  

• Lead the planning and execution of multi-channel communications campaigns that drive audience acquisition, ticket sales, brand engagement and commercial partner outcomes. 

• Identify opportunities to grow audience reach, engagement and conversion through innovative communications initiatives. 

• Ensure all PR, media partnership and talent activity is coherent, high-quality and aligned with the Festival’s business strategy, desired, brand positioning and values, and creative standards. 

• Work collaboratively with Marketing, Creative, Programming, Partnerships, Ticketing and Event Operations teams to ensure consistent messaging and integrated campaign delivery. 

Public Relations 

• Develop and execute an integrated public relations strategy that builds awareness of the Festival, its programme, partners and broader brand, ensuring proactive media engagement and delivery against agreed objectives. 

• Day-to-day management of the Festival’s external PR agency, working closely with them to develop and deliver publicity campaigns that maximise media coverage, audience reach and brand awareness. 

• Identify storytelling opportunities that generate compelling earned media and strengthen the Festival’s cultural relevance. 

• Oversee development and distribution of strategic media messaging, press releases, media alerts, briefing documents and spokesperson talking points.  

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, producers and key media outlets to maximise quality coverage. 

• Work closely with the PR agency to plan and coordinate media events and calls, photo opportunities, spokesperson and talent interviews, and media attendance throughout the Festival. 

• Oversee the PR agency’s development of media target lists and guest lists, ensuring accurate, timely and strategic distribution of media communications, invitations and event opportunities. 

• Oversee the PR agency’s media accreditation process and media operations with the PR agency during the Festival.   

• Ensure the appropriate media monitoring and reporting processes are in place to track earned media performance against agreed objectives.   

Media Partnerships 

• Identify, negotiate and manage multiple new and existing media partnerships that extend the Festival’s reach and profile and deliver contra advertising and editorial placement.  

• Build and maintain strong relationships with media partners, acting as the primary day-to-day contact to ensure clear communication, collaborative planning and successful delivery throughout the partnership lifecycle. 

• Develop and manage detailed media partnership plans, coordinating the delivery of all contracted promotional, editorial and experiential benefits across owned, earned and partner channels, while ensuring obligations are met on time and to a high standard. 

• Coordinate integrated promotional activity with media partners, including editorial opportunities, competitions, content collaborations, advertising, interviews, ticket giveaways, event attendance and cross-channel campaigns to maximise audience engagement and campaign impact. 

• Monitor media partnership performance against agreed objectives, tracking campaign outcomes, audience reach, media value and delivered benefits, and prepare post-campaign evaluations and recommendations to inform future partnerships.  

Talent Engagement  

• Oversee a tiered talent engagement strategy ensuring talent activity supports programming, marketing, PR, partnership and ticket sales objectives.  

• Identify and secure high-value publicity opportunities, ambassador relationships and talent-led storytelling initiatives that enhance the Festival’s cultural relevance and national profile 

• Identify and engage talent opportunities that enhance the Festival programme, marketing campaigns and brand profile, working collaboratively across programming, partnerships and marketing teams. 

• Develop and manage relationships with Festival ambassadors, influencers and content creators, ensuring authentic engagement, campaign alignment and successful delivery of agreed activities. 

• Coordinate the engagement and management of talent, ensuring a professional and seamless experience from invitation through to event delivery. 

• Manage talent schedules, briefing materials, accreditation and logistics, while coordinating interviews, media appearances, content opportunities and public engagements. 

• Oversee talent agreements and deliverables, maintaining strong relationships with talent, agents and publicists while ensuring contractual obligations are delivered to a high standard. 

Partnership Marketing  

• Work with the Partnerships team to identify PR, media and talent opportunities and concepts that support commercial and government partner objectives without compromising creative integrity. 

• Contribute to the development of compelling partnership proposals that articulate the value of PR, media and talent initiatives to attract and secure new and retain existing partners.  

• Ensure partnership PR, media and talent deliverables and brand integrations are executed effectively across all Festival channels and touchpoints, in a way that delivers partner value, enhances audience experience and aligns with Festival brand values. 

• Contribute to the delivery of communication plans, contracted marketing commitments and post-Festival reporting for all government and commercial partners.   

• Monitor and evaluate the performance of partnership PR, media and talent activity, providing insights and recommendations to support future partner growth and retention.  

Corporate & Crisis Communications 

• Work closely with the Head of Marketing to deliver corporate communications initiatives that support organisational reputation and stakeholder engagement. 

• Develop and manage communication strategies for key organisational announcements and initiatives. 

• Support crisis communications planning and response, ensuring timely, accurate and effective stakeholder communication and community engagement, working in collaboration with external consultants when required.   

Reporting & Governance  

• Establish and maintain PR, media and talent performance reporting frameworks, providing regular insights and recommendations to senior leadership, the Board, partners and key stakeholders on effectiveness, outcomes and continuous improvement. 

• Manage communications budgets, timelines and external suppliers relating to PR, media partnerships and talent. 

• Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Programming, Partnerships, Event Operations, Ticketing and Finance to ensure marketing supports commercial, audience, brand and stakeholder objectives. 

• Ensure all PR, media and talent activity complies with relevant Festival policies and procedures, including event policies, diversity, equity and inclusion requirements, accessibility standards and participant obligations. 

• Ensure clear documentation, reporting and record-keeping across all PR, media and talent activity. 

  Key Skills and Experience 

• 8+ years’ marketing experience: including experience with major public events, fashion and consumer brands, arts / culture, or media / editorial publications. 

• Tertiary marketing course equivalent: including marketing, communications, public relations and / or journalism. 

• Strong knowledge of the Australian fashion industry and media landscape, with an informed understanding of global fashion trends and market dynamics. 

• Technical skills: experienced in Social Media Platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok); Squarespace, Mailchimp, Canva, and proficient in Microsoft Office (particularly PowerPoint and creation of presentations); Adobe Creative Suite; and Monday.com work management platform. 

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple timelines, priorities and dependencies. 

• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to develop communications that support audience, partner and business outcomes. 

• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality execution. 

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation and interpersonal communication skills. 

• Ability to develop compelling proposals, briefs and presentations for internal and external stakeholders. 

• Strong analytical and diagnostic capability, with an aptitude for problem-solving and practical decision-making. 

• A collaborative working style and the confidence to operate as part of a senior leadership team. 

• A calm, professional and solutions-oriented approach under pressure. 

Other Duties 

The Communications Manager may be required to undertake other duties as reasonably required in support of Festival planning, delivery and organisational objectives. 

To apply, please email your CV and cover letter to fashion@mff.com.au with the subject line "Communications Manager"  

Position Title: Design & Content Manager   

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract, 9 months (August 2026 – April 2027)  

Location: MFF Offices, Duckboard House, 91–93 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000 

Reports to: Dual reporting line to the Creative Director and Head of Marketing  

Commencement: August 2026 

Role Objective 

The Design & Content Manager is responsible for leading the development and delivery of the Festival’s graphic design and creative content functions, ensuring all visual communications are strategically aligned, creatively compelling, operationally efficient and executed to the highest standard. 

The role reports into and works in close collaboration with the Creative Director and Head of Marketing to translate the Festival’s vision, brand and programming into impactful creative assets, digital content, marketing campaigns and event signage that drives participation outcomes for the Festival’s diverse group of stakeholders including designers, partners, participants, Government bodies and general public. 

The role requires an experienced creative with a deep understanding of branding; a proven track record of building compelling creative assets and content across various channels and formats; and expertise across graphic design, art direction, content creation, creative storytelling, brand management, event signage and placemaking, photography and videography, project management and creative production.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Art Direction: In collaboration with the Creative Director, lead the design process for the Festival’s visual identity, creative campaigns, asset development, content creation, event signage and screen content, ensuring all creative output aligns with the Festival vision, brand positioning and organisational objectives. 

• Asset Development: Lead the development and delivery of marketing assets and content across all Festival channels and touchpoints, including social media, website, EDM, ATL collateral, event signage and screen content. 

• Content Creation: Lead the development and production of creative content concepts and storytelling opportunities that bring the Festival brand, programme and partnerships to life, driving audience engagement and extending the Festival’s cultural relevance and reach. 

• Event Signage & Placemaking Development: Lead the creative process from concept to execution for all event signage, placemaking and on-site screen content including large and small, print and digital formats, ensuring creative concepts are effectively translated into engaging audience experiences. 

• Event Photography & Videography: Oversee the planning, commissioning and delivery of all Festival event photography, videography and content capture, ensuring all assets effectively tell the Festival story, support marketing and partner objectives, and build a high-quality content library for future use. 

• Brand Consistency: Ensure the consistent application and evolution of the Festival’s brand identity, maintaining brand guidelines and upholding high standards of creative quality across all communications. 

• Design & Content Project Management: Oversee the daily operations of the design and content workflow, manage multiple design projects simultaneously, from concept to completion, and ensure adherence to timelines and project specifications. 

• Process Management & Improvement: Establish and maintain processes for creative and content briefing, workflow management and delivery to enhance efficiency, creativity, and overall output quality. 

• Quality Control: Maintain high standards for all creative and content output, reviewing and approving work to ensure it aligns with the Festival’s vision and objectives. 

• Internal Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the primary creative point of contact for wider internal stakeholders (Executive, Marketing, Partnerships, Programming, Events and Ticketing teams), understanding their needs, receiving briefs, managing expectations and feedback, and ensuring satisfaction with deliverables. 

• Supplier Liaison: Manage day-to-day liaison with external suppliers when relevant, including creative agency, digital marketing agency, PR agency, printers, photographers, videographers and event producers.  

• File Management: Maintain organised and accessible design files, ensuring all assets are properly archived and easily retrievable. 

• Trend Awareness: Stay updated on the latest industry trends, tools, and technologies to keep the Festival’s visual assets fresh and innovative. 

  Key Skills and Experience 

• 8+ years of experience in brand management, creative direction, graphic design, content creation and / or a related role. 

• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of creative projects and successful brand campaigns. 

• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other relevant tools. 

• Communication skills: excellent ability to communicate effectively and confidently with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of seniority, verbally and in writing. 

• Time management and planning: highly organised and logical, and can effectively plan complex project delivery, meet tight deadlines and adhere to processes. 

• Reliable and trustworthy: able to perform duties with honesty, integrity and maturity, and is comfortable handing confidential information and working with high profile talent and stakeholders.  

• Flexible and resilient: able to juggle competing demands and remain buoyant and productive in high workload periods relevant to the delivery of a Victorian Major Event. 

• A calm, collaborative, professional and solutions-oriented approach under pressure. 

Other Duties 

The Design & Content Manager may be required to undertake other duties as reasonably required in support of Festival planning, delivery and organisational objectives. 

To apply, please email your CV and cover letter to fashion@mff.com.au with the subject line "Design & Content Manager"  

Position Title: Partnerships Executive 

Location: MFF Offices, Duckboard House, 91–93 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000 

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer  

Designation: Permanent, Full Time  

Start Date:  Immediate  

About The Role

The Partnerships Executive plays a key role servicing our portfolio of commercial and government partners, namely across the Festival programme of events and initiatives.  This role will manage a portfolio of partners independently, ensuring all contracted benefits are delivered at the highest quality, whilst nurturing a positive relationship. You shall work within a team environment, supported by two Partnerships Managers, and the wider events, marketing and communications team.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as primary point of contact for a portfolio of sponsors, building strong and professional relationships. 

• Chair key partner WIP Meetings and action items working collaboratively across departments. 

• Manage day-to-day servicing of a portfolio of Festival sponsors, ensuring delivery of contractual rights and benefits. 

• Coordinate activation planning, approvals, and onsite execution for sponsor partnerships across all core activities of the Festival programme. 

• Work collaboratively with internal teams (marketing, events, programming) to deliver integrated sponsor outcomes 

• Provide key point of contact for sponsors on-the-ground during the festival and ensure an exemplary experience is delivered. 

• Monitor and report on sponsor activity, providing post-event reporting and insights. 

• Assist the Chief Operating Officer in the procurement of new commercial partners as requested 

• Stay up to date on relevant trends and external factors, particularly as they affect commercial partners 

Skills & Experience

• Strong organisational and administrative skills with high attention to detail. 

• Experience in sponsorship, stakeholder management and/or major event production  

• Excellent written and spoken communication and client service skills. 

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities. 

Key Selection Criteria

• Meticulous attention to detail and excellent time management skills.  

• Superior interpersonal and communication skills for effective customer service  

• A proactive attitude with sharp problem-solving skills and resourceful mindset.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.  

Personal Attributes

• Positive ‘Can-Do’ attitude: a highly motivated and energetic team player who can operate independently, whilst contributing to the effectiveness and culture of the team.   

• Reliable and trustworthy: able to perform duties with honesty and integrity, comfortable handing confidential information and working with high profile talent.   

• Attention to detail: maintain exceptional standards of accuracy and integrity in all work produced.  

• Flexible and resilient: able to juggle competing demands and remain buoyant and productive in high workload periods relevant to the delivery of a Victorian major event.  

• Proactive problem solver: able to use initiative to proactively manage and solve problems.  

• Person of integrity and reliability: who upholds the values of MFF. 

To Apply

Please send your CV and Cover Letter addressing the key selection criteria to fashion@mff.com.au, with the subject heading “Partnerships Executive”. Applications close 5.00pm July 24, with application viewed as received. 

Position Title: Senior Corporate Hospitality Sales & Events Coordinator 

Location: MFF Offices, Duckboard House, 91–93 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000 

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer  

Designation: Fixed Term Contractor, Full Time 

Term: August 2026 – March 0227 

About The Role

The Corporate Hospitality Sales & Events Coordinator plays a key role in the delivery of Melbourne Fashion Festival’s corporate hospitality program – including on-site private events within the Fashion Forecourt, Luxury Box, and the premium Fashion Dining Series in partnership with a range of Melbourne restaurants . This position is responsible for managing the end-to-end sales, booking and administration of hospitality inventory, ensuring seamless bookings, accurate invoicing, and exceptional client service. The role also provides support to the Partnerships team in hospitality sales and contributes to delivering a premium experience for corporate partners and guests. 

Key Responsibilities

• Working with the COO and wider team to execute the outbound sales process for all Corporate Hospitality products aligned with the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival  

• Manage and maintain all corporate hospitality and associated ticketing inventory across Corporate Hospitality Events and connected Premium Runways 

• Coordinate booking processes, confirmations, and guest communications. 

• Share confirmations and tickets with all confirmed clients. 

• Prepare and issue invoices, track payments, and reconcile accounts. 

• Provide timely reporting on sales, bookings, and inventory status. 

• Support the Partnerships team in corporate hospitality sales opportunities – as required  

• Work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure smooth event delivery and an exceptional guest experience. 

• Be onsite at the Royal Exhibition Building to greet clients and manage any onsite enquiries  

Skills & Experience

• Strong organisational and administrative skills with high attention to detail. 

• Experience in hospitality, event coordination, or ticketing systems preferred. 

• Excellent written and spoken communication and client service skills. 

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities. 

Key Selection Criteria

• Previous experience working across hospitality or event sales & administration 

• Meticulous attention to detail and excellent time management skills.  

• Superior interpersonal and communication skills for effective customer service  

• A proactive attitude with sharp problem-solving skills and resourceful mindset.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.  

Personal Attributes

• Positive ‘Can-Do’ attitude: a highly motivated and energetic team player who can operate independently, whilst contributing to the effectiveness and culture of the team.   

• Reliable and trustworthy: able to perform duties with honesty and integrity, comfortable handing confidential information and working with high profile talent.   

• Attention to detail: maintain exceptional standards of accuracy and integrity in all work produced.  

• Flexible and resilient: able to juggle competing demands and remain buoyant and productive in high workload periods relevant to the delivery of a Victorian major event.  

• Proactive problem solver: able to use initiative to proactively manage and solve problems.  

• Person of integrity and reliability: who upholds the values of MFF. 

To Apply

Please send your CV and Cover Letter addressing the key selection criteria to fashion@mff.com.au, with the subject heading “Senior Corporate Hospitality Sales & Events Coordinator”