Secretary/Manager

Cairns Show Association (the Cairns Agricultural, Pastoral and Mining Association) is a membership-based, not-for-profit organisation. As custodians of the Cairns Showground, the organisation has a long-standing history of managing the precinct that is home to various community organisations, local businesses and major events. The Cairns Showground is Cairns’ largest event precinct with current mastering work underway to cement the precinct as the premier and world-class event precinct in Cairns.

Since 1891, the Cairns Show has been woven into the fabric of Far North Queensland. What began with a crowd of 300 gathered to watch the Mayor open the very first Show has grown into Australia’s largest regional agricultural show, welcoming around 70,000 people through the gates each July. For three days every year, the Cairns Show connects the city to the country. Woodchopping and livestock, more than 4,000 competition entries, hundreds of local businesses, showbags and the bright lights of Sideshow Alley all come together in a celebration that generations of Cairns families have grown up with. In 2025 we proudly celebrated our 120th Show, and we are just getting started.

As well as the Cairns Show, we are home to the Cairns Show Wine Awards and the Cairns Show Auto Spectacular, and we manage the Cairns Showgrounds – maintained by our dedicated members, committees and volunteers. Our fabulous team is looking for their new fearless leader to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Association, ensuring the sustainable delivery of the annual Cairns Show alongside our partner programs, minor events and facility management.

As the Secretary/Manager, you will be the operational lead of the Cairns Show Association. Reporting to the President and Executive Committee, you will work hand in hand with our staff, volunteers and stakeholders to keep the Show, and the Showground, thriving all year round.

This will look like:

• Leading and developing our team, including our event coordinator, competition coordinator, finance officer, receptionist and grounds crew.
• Being the go-to person for our committee, members, volunteers and community, and building strong partnerships with QCAS, local and state governments, sponsors, schools, other Show Societies and the Showmen’s Guild of Australasia.
• Rallying our volunteer army – recruiting, training, rostering and recognising the people who make the Show happen.
• Keeping the Showgrounds in top shape – overseeing maintenance, safety and security, and project managing site improvements with contractors and Council.
• Keeping a tight handle on budgets, cash flow, invoicing and purchasing, while managing operational risk and WHS.
• Championing good governance, ensuring our policies are current and compliant, and driving the strategic goals set by the Management Committee.
• Steering our communications and reporting – from Committee meeting reports to newsletters, social media and website content.
• Sniffing out grant and funding opportunities, drafting applications and making sure funds are well spent and acquitted.
• Guiding implementation of the Cairns Show Association Strategic Plan 2026-31.

As we are a small, close-knit team, we all roll up our sleeves when it counts. In the lead-up to and during Show week, you will be right at the heart of the action alongside our staff and volunteers, so be ready to jump in wherever you are needed.

You will bring:

• Proven experience in a senior management or operations role, ideally within events, venues, agricultural shows or not-for-profits.
• Experience leading and developing staff, and working alongside volunteers and committees.
• Sound financial, governance and risk management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to engage with committees, sponsors, government and community groups.
• Sharp attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to prioritise and stay calm under pressure.
• Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Office.
• Grant writing experience (highly regarded).
• A genuine passion for the Cairns Show and our community.