Job Description

About the Role

Opera Australia is seeking an experienced Property & Facilities Manager to oversee the safe, compliant and efficient operation of our property portfolio.

With primary responsibility for The Opera Centre in Sydney, and oversight of facilities operations across Melbourne and other storage and support sites, this role will lead the day-to-day management of our workplaces, building services, physical assets, contractors and essential services.

Working within a unique and complex performing arts environment, you’ll ensure our facilities remain safe, fit for purpose and operationally effective for the teams who rehearse, build, create and work within them.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day management of Opera Australia’s facilities, with primary responsibility for The Opera Centre in Sydney.
• Ensure buildings, plant, equipment and infrastructure are maintained, compliant and fit for purpose.
• Develop and oversee preventative maintenance programs, statutory testing, inspections and essential services requirements.
• Manage building systems including security, access control, air conditioning, loading dock operations, parking and storage facilities.
• Maintain asset registers and support lifecycle and capital replacement planning.
• Manage maintenance providers, trades, contractors and specialist suppliers, ensuring strong safety, service, cost and compliance outcomes.
• Lead facilities-related WHS, emergency management, risk management and contractor compliance requirements.
• Manage facilities operating budgets, expenditure, procurement and contract performance.
• Support operational continuity during building works, refurbishments, relocations and other periods of disruption or organisational change.
• Partner with internal stakeholders, project teams and external providers to ensure facilities effectively support rehearsals, workshops, production and corporate operations.
• Lead and support the facilities team, fostering a collaborative, accountable and service-focused culture.

About You

You’ll be an experienced facilities, property or building operations professional who is comfortable working in a complex, operational and fast-moving environment.

You’ll bring:

• Demonstrated experience in facilities, property or building operations management.
• Strong knowledge of building compliance, WHS, essential services and statutory maintenance requirements.
• Experience managing preventative maintenance programs, building services and physical assets.
• Proven contractor and supplier management experience, including procurement and monitoring service performance.
• Strong operational risk management and problem-solving capability.
• Experience supporting business continuity, workplace changes, relocations or refurbishment projects.
• Sound financial management skills, including budget preparation, expenditure management and procurement.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and a practical, service-focused approach.
• Relevant qualifications in facilities management, property, building services, construction, a trade or a related discipline will be highly regarded.

About Opera Australia

Opera Australia (OA) is Australia's national opera company and one of the country's leading performing arts organisations. With a rich history and an international reputation for artistic excellence, we present more than 500 performances each year, reaching over 650,000 people through opera, musicals and concerts.

Our productions span iconic venues including the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne, as well as regional centres across Australia. We are committed to artistic innovation, national reach and cultural leadership, nurturing Australian talent on and off the stage while collaborating with leading local and international artists. As Australia's largest performing arts employer, Opera Australia plays a vital role in Australia's cultural landscape.

For more information about Opera Australia, please visit opera.org.au

What We Offer

As Australia's national opera company, we're committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and collaborative workplace where our people can thrive. Guided by our values of Curious, Creative, Collaborative, Brave and Inclusive, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Generous leave provisions, including cultural, wellbeing and parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Discounted private health insurance.
• Access to salary packaging through SmartSalary.
• Discounts through our Swag Rewards platform and affiliated partners.
• Complimentary tickets to selected Opera Australia performances.

If this sounds like the opportunity you've been looking for, we'd love to hear from you. Click 'Apply' to submit your CV and cover letter.

Applications close: 4 September 2026

For any enquiries about this role, please contact people@opera.org.au

Opera Australia recognises and acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the unceded lands and waters across Australia on which we live, perform and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise, celebrate and respect all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first storytellers who carry the cultural wisdom, traditions and Dreaming of this ancient land.

Opera Australia is committed to enabling and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. Our team comes from all walks of life. We acknowledge that individual differences, life experiences, self-expression and talent strengthen our culture and reputation. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions you can bring in terms of education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression.