About Netball Queensland

Netball Queensland (NQ) is the peak state sporting organisation responsible for the governance, development, promotion and administration of netball throughout Queensland.

Our purpose is to enrich lives through netball. Guided by our 2026-2028 Strategic Plan, we are focused on inspiring people to play, engage and grow with netball across Queensland by:

• Growing sustainable and inclusive netball environments
• Growing winning teams
• Growing the love for our game and loyalty to our brand
• Growing a premier sport, entertainment and community venue in south-east Queensland

As custodians of netball in Queensland, we take seriously our responsibility to advance reconciliation in sport and are proud to be progressing our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

NQ is home to the Queensland Firebirds, our elite team competing in Suncorp Super Netball, and manages the Queensland State Netball Centre (trading as Nissan Arena) under a Management Agreement with Stadiums Queensland.

About Nissan Arena

Nissan Arena is arguably Queensland’s number one indoor sporting arena.

Located just 12 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD, Nissan Arena opened in 2019 and has since welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors, hosting hundreds of successful events and attracting over 400,000 attendees annually—to play, cheer, dance, and do business.

Nissan Arena is the proud home of the Queensland Firebirds as well as Netball Queensland’s operations. The venue delivers a diverse portfolio of elite, community and commercial activity, hosting international, national and grassroots sporting competitions alongside major entertainment and community events.

The arena’s highly flexible design enables a wide range of event offerings and includes:

• A premier show court with seating for 5,000+ spectators
• Seven indoor community courts
• Three VIP / conference rooms
• Elite and community change rooms
• A state-of-the-art gymnasium supporting professional and elite athletes

This diversification beyond major events positions Nissan Arena as a cornerstone of Queensland’s sport, entertainment and community infrastructure.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic General Manager – Nissan Arena to lead the strategic, operational and commercial performance of Nissan Arena.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and operating as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, this role provides leadership across venue strategy, operations, commercial growth and stakeholder engagement—ensuring Nissan Arena delivers outstanding experiences while remaining financially sustainable and future-focused.

This is a rare opportunity for a consummate venue professional to shape the future of a major Queensland venue in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

About the Role

The General Manager - Nissan Arena is responsible for the end-to-end management of Nissan Arena in accordance with Netball Queensland’s Strategic Plan, annual budgets, business plans and the Management Agreement with Stadiums Queensland.

Key focus areas include:

• Strategic leadership and operational excellence
• Commercial growth and venue utilisation
• Financial performance and compliance
• Major event delivery and venue operations
• High-performing teams and strong culture
• Stakeholder, government and partner relationships

You will lead a multidisciplinary venue team to deliver exceptional experiences for athletes, fans, hirers and the broader community while positioning Nissan Arena as Queensland’s premier indoor sports and entertainment venue.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Culture

• Lead the development and delivery of Nissan Arena’s operational plans aligned to NQ’s Strategic Plan and Management Agreement
• Contribute to NQ’s broader business and financial strategy as a member of the ELT
• Foster a safe, inclusive, values-driven and high-performance culture
• Ensure staff have clear goals, accountability and alignment

Staff & Stakeholder Engagement

• Recruit, lead and develop venue staff, contractors and volunteers
• Manage venue hire agreements, leases and service contracts
• Build strong relationships with Stadiums Queensland, government agencies, tenants, hirers, promoters and partners
• Represent NQ on relevant committees, including the QSNC Board Sub-Committee

Venue Management & Operations

• Oversee all aspects of day-to-day venue operations, including major events
• Act as Event Lead and Chief Warden as required
• Ensure compliance with WHS, risk management, regulatory and emergency management requirements
• Oversee workforce planning, rostering and operational systems

Business Development & Commercial

• Drive event acquisition, venue utilisation and revenue diversification
• Work closely with marketing, events and commercial teams to deliver innovative, commercially viable initiatives
• Ensure delivery of venue-related partnership obligations
• Lead the development and delivery of the annual QSNC business plan

Financial Management

• Deliver against approved budgets, forecasts and utilisation targets
• Ensure strong financial controls, reporting and procurement practices
• Oversee event budgeting, cost management and hirer settlements
• Develop business cases for capital projects and infrastructure improvements

Planning & Reporting

• Deliver timely, accurate reporting to NQ ELT, Board, QSNC Sub-Committee and Stadiums Queensland
• Maintain Balanced Scorecards and operational plans
• Support organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives

About You

You are a strategic, commercially astute venue leader with a strong track record in large-scale venue or arena management. You thrive in complex, fast-paced environments and bring a balance of operational discipline, innovation and people leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualifications (venues, sport, business or similar desirable)
• 5-10+ years’ leadership experience in large-scale venues or comparable facilities
• Demonstrated experience managing 7-day operational environments
• Proven ability to balance commercial outcomes with service excellence

Key Skills & Capabilities

• Strategic thinking and sound judgement
• Business development and revenue growth
• Financial and budget management
• High-performance people leadership
• Stakeholder engagement and negotiation
• Strong communication and influence
• Deep understanding of venue operations, major events and compliance

Personal Attributes

• Authentic, inclusive and values-led leader
• Results-focused with strong initiative
• Collaborative, resilient and adaptable
• Comfortable working autonomously and leading through complexity

Why Join Netball Queensland?

In return, you’ll be part of a purpose-driven organisation with a strong commitment to people, performance and community impact.

We offer:

• A high-performance, values-driven culture
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• 18 weeks paid primary carer leave and 4 weeks secondary carer leave
• Access to wellbeing programs and high-performance gym
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Annual remuneration reviews linked to performance
• Modern facilities at Nissan Arena
• Event tickets, sponsor discounts and social events
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on netball in Queensland

Child Safety & Inclusion

Netball Queensland is committed to safeguarding children and young people. Appointment to this role is subject to holding (or obtaining) a Working with Children (Blue) Card.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTIQ+ individuals.

Hours of Work

The sport and events industry operates beyond traditional business hours. Flexibility and availability to work evenings and weekends is required. NQ supports flexible arrangements to balance professional and personal commitments.