About Snuff Puppets

Founded in 1992, Snuff Puppets has filled cities and streets with laughs and screams and mischief across five continents, over 30+ years.

We enjoy a large and devoted global audience who know and love our bold idiosyncratic style, iconic characters and radical community-centred ethos.

We have road-tested processes, established repertoire, a much-loved Footscray home, and an ever-growing global network of amazing artists. We are a small team but we make a big impact, we are outsiders & DIYers and we frequently punch above our weight.

We are looking for a new member to bring not only their skills and experience but also their creativity, passion, imagination and sense of fun to help the steering of this small but treasured company on its next adventures.

Wanted:
Extraordinary General Manager

Just in the last few weeks, from our fantastical Footscray Drill Hall, we’ve been:

Loading up an RV with materials and driving it through the desert

Making puppets with artists from remote Aboriginal communities

Liaising with festival producers in Poland and Chile

Hosting a visiting collaborator-in-residence from Germany

Working with architects on a Drill Hall refurbishment plan

Touring giant Seagulls and a workshop in Singapore

Sewing up a giant inflatable Lizard for the NT

Planning our first community film night & acquiring a projector and screen

Sharing tea & stories with visiting Puerto Rican puppeteers

Storyboarding our next film project

Crowd-surfing in puppets with a touring US punk band

Planning a fundraising party and inaugural Snuff Festival

Editing film footage for our 500,000+ youtube subscribers

Planning a workshop with Australia’s biggest all-abilities choir

We are constantly immersed in a multitude of creative, fun and inspiring projects. 

We need a General Manager who can embrace the organised chaos and be the all- important central figure taking care of the precious work we create. Our small size means you will get many opportunities to leave your mark and to get your hands dirty.

You will be working closely with our core team: co-artistic directors Andy and Nick, and digital director Daniell. 

The role will also be supported by a skilled accountant, an engaged board, and multi-year funding from Maribyrnong City Council and Creative Victoria.

Applicants that love big puppets preferred but not essential. 

THE BORING (BUT IMPORTANT) BITS

Key Responsibilities: We are looking for someone who can demonstrate they have experience across:

• Financial planning and management: Oversee core and project financial planning and management for the organisation.
• Administration: Maintain and service office systems, records and IT tools. Develop and maintain a database of organisation contacts, respond to queries in consultation with the team.
• Funding and Business Development: Drive income generation through government grants, trusts, fundraising and other income sources in line with the Annual Program of activities. Report to government and funders through acquittals.
• Strategic planning: Assist with the development of Business Plans and Multi-Year Strategic Plans.
• Marketing, communications and publicity: Assist with the delivery of marketing and communications activities in line with the Annual Program of activities. 

Annual Salary of $77,500 pro rata + super at 0.6FTE

= $46,500 p.a / 3 days p.w 

If you are keen to join us, please send your CV and a cover letter of no more than two pages outlining how you are aligned with the Snuff Puppet vision and how your experience aligns to the key responsibilities of the role to people@snuffpuppets.com by COB Monday 24^th July 2023. Applicants will be notified of an outcome and shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Monday 7^th August.

To find out more about the role, please contact Kate Callingham, Snuff Puppets Board Member, at kcallingham@casey.vic.gov.au to set up a phone chat.