The Joan Program Manager

The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre sits within one of the most ambitious cultural organisations in New South Wales, Penrith Performing & Visual Arts. Firmly embedded in local community, with the pedigree of a national institution, The Joan programs across theatre, music and live performance for Western Sydney audiences that are insistent on being able to access world-class programming in their own backyard.

We are looking for The Joan Program Manager, to lead the curatorial vision and strategic partnerships that will make that vision land. Someone who programs with conviction and lets the audience prove them right, and who knows that education is not an afterthought for a performing arts centre, but a foundation to build on.

You will hold the unified programming voice of The Joan and lead the team that delivers it: the Head of Music Education, the Q Theatre Manager and The Joan’s Program Administrators. This is genuine leadership of a genuine team, not a solo curatorial post; you will set the standard, build the culture and be accountable for what the whole group produces. You will also build a cohesive and complementary education program that connects young people and schools with live performance for the long term. You will have real authority and real accountability, working alongside the CEO and Artistic Director to shape what this venue stands for.

If you have been waiting for an organisation that programs with and for its communities, and believes an audience raised on great work becomes the artists who make it, this is it.

How to apply 

Applicants should submit a two-page cover letter addressing the key result areas, along with their most recent CV.

Applications can be submitted to ppvarecruitment@ppandva.com.au. For a confidential conversation about the role, contact Lauren O’Neill lauren.oneill@ppandva.com.au .

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Applications close Friday 4 September 2026