Head of Community

Job Description

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is recognised in Australia and around the world as a leader in racing and event entertainment. Our vision is to provide an unrivalled experience with every visit and in every encounter. The Head of Community will lead the VRC’s Community pillar encompassing key deliverables – local community and charitable partners, Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, Melbourne Cup Foundation, Pin and Win and Equine Welfare. Responsible for the VRC’s strategic direction of Community initiatives and Corporate Social Responsibility, the Head of Community will ensure the VRC contributes positively to the surrounding community, racing industry, society more broadly, VRC partners, customers and the environment. This role is responsible for driving community engagement, environmental stewardship, and philanthropic efforts, which enhance the VRC’s reputation, building stakeholder trust. Create meaningful social impact that all VRC team members and stakeholders can value and be proud of. This role reports direct into the EGM, Commercial & Events and is based at our Flemington Precinct. We offer a hybrid way of working although we operate in the events/hospitality space and evening/weekend work will be required. Strategic Planning & Innovation Develop Community strategy, ensuring alignment with the overall VRC vision and long-term goals and delivers an exceptional customer experience. Drive VRC’s vision and strategic objectives, ensuring alignment across departments. Protect and positively enhance the VRC brand ensuring alignment with new and existing commercial partners and customers. Lead and inspire a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement; actively support professional growth of others; and provide regular constructive feedback to the team to enhance team capabilities. Community Pillar Deliverables Lead the ongoing development, planning and delivery of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, VRC Social Responsibility, Environmental Sustainability, Equine Welfare, Melbourne Cup Foundation and Community strategies in line with the VRC Strategic Plan, including connection to the racing industry participants and government stakeholders. Develop annual comprehensive strategy and plan for the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour ensuring connection of the Peoples Cup remains connected to the people of Australia and the world. Ensure a robust process for establishing the VRC’s Pin and Win partner. Develop annual comprehensive strategy and plan for the Pin and Win competition ensuring partnership connection and deliverables through to and across the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Grow the Club’s Community pillar by generating new initiatives across all Community streams. Develop and execute comprehensive community strategies and plans aimed at achieving annual targets and driving growth for the VRC in the Community. Understand our customers and partners and ensure our community strategies and deliverables are front of mind with each segment. Work closely with the Melbourne Cup Foundation chair and board to build the MCF into a thriving philanthropic vehicle for the VRC. Oversee the development and delivery of the stakeholder communications plan for CSR in order to safeguard the VRC’s and the broader racing industry’s social license to operate. Oversee the execution of strategic and tactical programs to give greater visibility and acceptance of the VRC’s CSR strategy initiatives which will include the existing Equine Welfare activity, Community Engagement – local, State, National, Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour and Community Sweep, Melbourne Cup Carnival Pin and Win Competition. Cost / Yield Management Work closely with key stakeholders to ensure the Club’s commercial return through effective planning and management of all Community partnerships deals, experiences and deliverables ensuring cost and yield of all products and services is planned, managed, and reviewed. Monitor all monthly Community financial data, report on budget anomalies and ensure capital and operating expense budgets have appropriate procedures, controls, and systems to meet budgets. Experience and Expertise Tertiary qualification in Marketing, PR, Communications, with a minimum of 12 years’ experience in this or a related field. Knowledge of the rules and regulations governing Charities, IPCs (Institutions of Public Character), with best practices for CSR considered an advantage. Strong, proven expertise in managing relationships, networks, and teams that include a diverse group of people representative of the public and private sectors, community-based organisations, not for profits and volunteering organisations. Proven track record of strategy design and implementation across the full CSR spectrum including fundraising, community consult and engagement, program administration, workforce administration and engagement. Excellent communication skills and the ability to distil complex information into simple messages and concise communication materials tailored for the audience. An understanding of the thoroughbred racing industry, equine welfare issues and practices and the iconic legacy of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is desirable. What’s in it for you? Work in a great team Be a part of our iconic racing club and “The race that Stops the Nation” Join a company that wants to develop your career Health and Wellbeing programs including EAP Work in beautiful surroundings at Flemington racecourse! How to Apply If this sounds like you and feel you meet the above criteria, then apply now by forwarding your resume with a cover letter. You will be required to meet VRC's employment criteria which may include but not be limited to reference checks, VEVO check and a National Police check. Seniority level Mid-Senior level Employment type Full-time Job function Management, Business Development, and Customer Service Industries Hospitality and Events Services #J-18808-Ljbffr