Applications are invited for the position of Island Business Manager

Terms of Employment

Fixed Term Contract, 1 Year.  The position is nominally remunerated at 3 days per week plus superannuation. A balance of working from home and from Island’s office in conjunction with flexible work hours is supported provided work is delivered reliably. Terms of employment are planned to be reviewed during the contract period.

Organisational Structure and Reporting

Island is a not-for-profit enterprise with the purpose of providing professional publishing opportunities for emerging and established authors and artists. The Business Manager reports to Island’s Board of Directors via the Chair and works in close operational partnership with the Editorial Manager. Due to the small team and flat management structure the relationship between these two roles is central to the organisation's effectiveness. The Editorial Manager has editorial leadership, and the Business Manager has operational and financial leadership. The two roles are complementary and interdependent.

Role and Primary Objectives

Provide the operational, financial, governance and administrative leadership that enables Island Magazine to deliver on its cultural mission. Ensure the Board of Directors is fully informed of significant matters. Identify funding options, including grants and to write submissions and acquittals for grants.  Networking and relationship development with key stakeholders.

Key Relationships include:

Internal:

–     Board of Directors — governance and strategy
–     Chair of Board – Management and strategic direction with regular meetings
–     Editorial Manager — day-to-day operational partnership
–     Finance and admin officer –coordination of payments and processes
–     Editorial and production team — coordination with scheduling

External:

–     Funding bodies — applications, interim reporting and acquittals
–     Accountant and auditor – BAS, Super and EOFY reports
–     Contributors — contracts and payments     
–    Printing and distribution partners — production scheduling and logistics
–    Stockists — commercial relationships
–     Partners — coordination and delivery support

Area

Key Activities

Governance

·    Board meeting preparation and participation

·    Maintenance of statutory records

·    Insurance management

Funding

·    Grant identification and applications

·    Reporting and acquittal management

·    Relationship maintenance

Finance

·    Overseeing accounts payable and receivable and financial record-keeping

·    Budget preparation

·    Board Reporting

·    Cashflow monitoring

·    Liaison with accountant and auditor

·    BAS and superannuation compliance

·    EOFY and audit support

Submissions and contributors

·    Grant and funding submissions system administration

·    Coordination with editorial team on timelines and process

·    Prize administration

·    Contracts and payment of contributors

Publication, production & distribution

·    Print and online submission and publication schedule management

·    Printer liaison

·    Distribution logistics — subscribers, stockists, newsagents

·    Digital publishing coordination including Island’s digital magazine and social media

·     

Sales & Marketing

·    Subscription acquisition and retention

·    Stockist relationship management

·    E-newsletter and social media (the latter currently managed by the Editorial Manager)

·    Website content and shop management

Events

·    Issue launch event coordination

·    Workshops and mentorship program logistics

Partnerships

·    Partnership development, administration and management

Office management and ‘HR’

·    Day-to-day office management

·    Superannuation administration and compliance

·    Regular management meetings for operational and strategic direction

Selection Criteria

Applicants should address the selection criteria below and describe how their attributes make them suitable for this role.

Island has a very lean team structure. This means the Business Manager needs to operate with a high degree of autonomy and self-direction while keeping the Chair and Board informed and consulted for relevant matters.  The role requires someone who is comfortable making informed judgements, and who can identify when issues require Board attention.  Beyond the technical requirements, this role particularly suits someone who understands that in a small organisation, actions, conduct and relationships matter as well as competence.

Selection Criteria

1.     Demonstrated experience in a similar business management role
2.     Grants management experience, including applications and acquittal processes (experience with Smarty Grants and Flux is desirable)
3.     Financial literacy: experience with day-to-day accounts processes, cashflow and budgeting preparation (knowledge of Xero is desirable)
4.     Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams
5.     Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication 
6.     Proven ability to operate in a lean, self-directed environment
7.     Proven team player with demonstrated ability to manage teams, peers and supervisors
8.     Experience with or interest in the arts, publishing or cultural sector

Applications in writing should include a full CV and address all the selection criteria with a cover letter explaining background and suitability for this role with reference to the listed responsibilities.  All applications must be received by Sunday 31st May 2026 and emailed to the Chair of Island Magazine at: chair@islandmag.com