Staff at Bell Shakespeare enjoy a creative and supportive workplace, that encourages collaboration and inspiration.
As part of the Bell Shakespeare team, you will:
- Receive complimentary tickets to all Bell Shakespeare productions
- Receive ongoing professional development
- Be based in a spectacular location at the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
- Have the opportunity to work with major performing arts venues, including Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne and Canberra Theatre Centre
- have access to special opportunities and discounts within the arts, as they arise.
Unless otherwise stated in a job description, all staff are based at our headquarters in Sydney, NSW.
Bell Shakespeare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with a disability, mature age workers, and LGBTQIA+ people are encouraged to apply for this position. We believe that Shakespeare is for all.
Current Vacancies
Audience Engagement Executive
- Sydney based
- Full Time
We have an exciting opportunity for an Audience Engagement Executive to join the Company’s Marketing team. The Audience Engagement Executive is responsible for driving audience growth and deepening engagement with Bell Shakespeare, delivering targeted audience development strategies, engaging public programs, and key marketing and development initiatives to enhance audience experience and strengthen connections with supporters and stakeholders. The role is a key part of the Marketing team and reports to the Marketing & Communications Manager.
Who you are
The successful applicant will be a highly organised and detail-oriented professional with experience in audience development and engagement, marketing, or public programs. They will have the ability to analyse audience data to inform strategies, strong project management skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. A passion for delivering exceptional audience experiences and the ability to balance multiple projects in a fast-paced environment will be key to success in this role.
As part of the Bell Shakespeare team, you will
- Receive complimentary tickets to Bell Shakespeare productions
- Receive ongoing professional development
- Be based in a spectacular location at the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
To be considered as a successful applicant we require
Essential Criteria
- Experience in audience engagement, marketing, or communications
- Ability to analyse audience data to inform strategies
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Event/public program planning and delivery experience
- Project management experience, including budgeting
- Proficiency in databases, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Suite (or similar)
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate in teams
- Problem solving and process improvement skills
- Organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines
Desirable Criteria
- Passion for the arts and audience experience
- Experience managing stakeholders and partnerships
- Experience using Tessitura (ticketing and database) or similar CRM database
- Content development experience, including video
- Appropriate tertiary qualification
Download the position description.
Application
If you are interested in the role, please send your CV and cover letter addressing the selection criteria, marked to the attention of Sally Buckingham, Marketing & Communications Manager to hr@bellshakespeare.com.au by COB 9 April 2025.
Bell Shakespeare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with a disability, mature age workers, and LGBTQIA+ people are encouraged to apply for this position. We believe that Shakespeare is for all.
Bell Shakespeare is an inclusive employer and recognises everyone is unique. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know. If you think you’d be a great fit but don’t meet all the criteria outlined in the position description, please get in touch.
Executive Director
Lead Bell Shakespeare’s strategy, operations, and financial sustainability while championing artistic excellence and audience engagement.
Bell Shakespeare’s Board of Directors is seeking a dynamic and strategic Executive Director to lead the company alongside the Artistic Director, ensuring artistic excellence, financial sustainability, and national impact.
- Guide Australia’s premier Shakespeare company into its next chapter.
- Drive strategic growth, financial sustainability, and artistic excellence.
- Shape the future of theatre and education with a national impact.
Before applying, please contact Andrew Abbott to obtain further information about the role.
About Bell Shakespeare
Bell Shakespeare is Australia’s national theatre company specialising in the works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Founded by John Bell in 1990, we have grown into a dynamic and influential company that brings classic theatre to audiences across the country. Through our mainstage productions, education programs, and extensive outreach initiatives, we ensure that the power of Shakespeare’s storytelling remains relevant and accessible to all Australians.
With a commitment to artistic excellence, education, and inclusion, Bell Shakespeare continues to challenge, inspire, and connect audiences of all backgrounds. Our home at Pier 2/3 in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct in Sydney provides a stunning setting for our performances, workshops, and community engagement programs. As we enter our next chapter, we seek a visionary leader to help shape our future.
The Role
Bell Shakespeare is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join the company as its next Executive Director. Working in in a shared leadership model with the Artistic Director, the Executive Director will drive the company’s strategic direction, ensuring financial sustainability, operational excellence, and continued artistic ambition.
Reporting to the Chair and Board of Directors, the Executive Director will oversee Bell Shakespeare’s governance, financial management, including risk management and revenue diversification, and stakeholder engagement. They will lead the senior management team, manage key partnerships, and play a vital role in philanthropy, fundraising, and sponsorship.
This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Australia’s most respected performing arts organisations, steering its continued success while fostering a vibrant and inclusive culture.
Who We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished senior leader with deep experience in the performing arts. They will bring strategic acumen, business leadership, and a passion for making theatre accessible to diverse audiences.
Key skills and experience include:
- Executive leadership experience, preferably in an arts or cultural organisation, including working in a collaborative leadership model, particularly alongside an Artistic Director
- Strong financial management and governance expertise.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-level stakeholder relationships, including government, philanthropic, and corporate partners.
- Proven success in fundraising, sponsorship, and revenue generation.
- An inclusive leadership style with the ability to inspire and empower a high-performing team and an ability to foster a collaborative culture and ensure the organisation attracts and retains talented staff
- A deep understanding of the Australian arts landscape and a commitment to artistic excellence.
Bell Shakespeare offers a unique platform for a leader who shares our belief in the transformative power of theatre. If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge, we encourage you to apply.
How to apply
To receive a candidate brief, or to arrange a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Andrew Abbott, Partner at Fish Nankivell, on 0401 712 953 or aabbott@fishnankivell.com
Applications close Tuesday, 15 April 2025. A concurrent search is being conducted.
Applications comprising a CV and cover letter should be emailed to Andrew Abbott.
Production Team
Bell Shakespeare is Australia’s national theatre company specialising in the works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. We are inviting expressions of interest from experienced live performance and theatre professionals who are interested in working on our 2025 productions. Next year, Bell Shakespeare will present three major productions and our in-schools touring program, The Players.
These productions will give you the opportunity to work at a range of performing arts venues including the Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne, and Canberra Theatre Centre, along with Bell Shakespeare’s purpose-built premises and theatre The Neilson Nutshell at the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.
As each show is staged at different times of the year, please see below the 2025 season dates and crewing periods along with the available job opportunities.
Season 1: Sydney Opera House, Canberra Theatre Centre, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre Wollongong, Arts Centre Melbourne (Monday 13th of January - Sunday 1st of June.)
Season 2: The Neilson Nutshell, Sydney and Arts Centre Melbourne (Monday 5th of May - Sunday 17th of August.)
Season 3 (National Tour): ACT, NSW, WA, VIC, TAS, QLD and Sydney Opera House (Monday 21st of July - Sunday 14th of December.)
Opportunities:
- Touring Company Manager – (National Tour only)
- Stage Manager
- Assistant Stage Manager
- Production Assistant
- Head Mechanist
- Head of Lighting
- Head of Audio
Bell Shakespeare is an Equal Opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for these positions.
How to Apply
If you are interested in working with Bell Shakespeare in 2025, please complete the following form:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4c7b8124922d4686b104b1c665769a15
One application per person, applicants can select multiple roles. Applications close 15 September 2024.
For further information or questions please email Bell Shakespeare’s Head of Production, Benjamin Howlett at hr@bellshakespeare.com.au
Casual Crew
Are you a dedicated individual with a deep passion for the performing arts? Do you thrive in a behind-the-scenes role, helping to create unforgettable theatrical and event experiences? If so, we want to hear from you!
Bell Shakespeare is currently seeking expressions of interest from talented individuals to join our casual crew. We are looking for individuals with various skills; ranging from Lighting, Audio, General Mechanist and General production support. If you have a love for theatre and a desire to contribute to the creative process, this is the opportunity for you.
Bell Shakespeare is Australia's premier theatre company dedicated to producing and promoting the work of William Shakespeare. With a focus on innovative productions, national tours, education programs and engaging with diverse audiences, Bell Shakespeare aims to bring the genius of Shakespeare to life and make it accessible to all.
Now residing in our state-of-the-art headquarters at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Bell Shakespeare offers a wide range of projects and experiences for theatre crew.
Bell Shakespeare is an Equal Opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse applicants are encouraged to apply for these positions.
How to Apply
If you are interested in crewing at Bell Shakespeare’s headquarters on various shows and events, please complete this form.
One application per person, applicants can select multiple roles. For further information or questions please email hr@bellshakespeare.com.au