General Manager - Experience

*Accepting Melbourne AND Sydney based applicants.*
About Bastion
Bastion is an independent agency that exists to put brands, organisations and people in a position of strength. Our integrated model sees brand, digital, social, influencer, experiential and research experts sitting side by side, working together on major brands to solve their marketing challenges.
At Bastion Experience we create strategic partnerships and brand experiences that people want to talk about, creating work that surprises and delights.
Role Overview
The General Manager of Experience is responsible for running the day-to-day performance of Bastion Experience ensuring the business operates effectively, commercially, and consistently.
This role owns the BAU engine of the business - people, clients, product, delivery and performance - proactively identifying and solving issues, strengthening client outcomes and driving sustainable growth, across experiential, sponsorship, partnerships and live brand platforms.
Reporting to and working closely with the Managing Director - Experience, the General Manager of Experience enables the Managing Director to focus on broader growth agenda, market positioning and expansion. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role requiring equal strength across operations, commercial outcomes, client leadership and new business, including solving client challenges, driving creativity to be innovative and leaders in our delivery. You are a key contributor to the national Experience team and a visible ambassador for Bastion in market.
Roles & Responsibilities
Business Leadership & Growth
Drive growth through a combination of new business and expansion of existing clientsDrive growth across Bastion Experience through a combination of new business development and expansion of existing client partnerships, aligned to the business’s strategic priorities, across sport, major events, government, tourism, infrastructure, precincts and brand partnerships across a variety of industry sectorsBuild Bastion Experience’s reputation as a leading national experiential and partnerships agency through visibility, relationships and excellence in deliveryContribute to the national growth agenda alongside the Managing DirectorCollaborate with Bastion practice areas to drive cross-agency integration and shared commercial successPartner with the Head of Strategic Partnerships on overall agency pipeline development, forecasting and commercial planning. Maintain strong forecasting discipline and pipeline visibility to support sustainable growthLead and support major pitches and commercial opportunities
Client & Commercial Leadership
Own and grow a portfolio of key clients, including senior stakeholder relationshipsAct as strategic partner to clients, not just delivery leadBuild and maintain senior-level client relationships, positioning Bastion as a strategic partner, not just a delivery agencyBe the key contact across clientsOwn and grow a strong client portfolio, ensuring consistent revenue growth, margin discipline and long-term retentionEnsure strong revenue growth, margin discipline and long-term client retention
Strategy, Experience & Innovation
Evolve Bastion Experience’s product offering to remain competitive, integrated and market-leadingDrive earlier (“upstream”) involvement in client strategy and briefsStrengthen integration with Bastion’s broader capabilities (creative, PR, digital, social, influencer, research)Build and optimise supplier and partner ecosystems to enhance delivery capabilityEnsure all work is insight-led, culturally relevant and commercially effectiveLead the development of world-class experiential, sponsorship and partnership strategies that drive cultural relevance and commercial returnTranslate major cultural and event-led narratives (e.g. legacy, community, innovation, sustainability) into meaningful brand platforms and experiencesEnsure all work is insight-led, creatively ambitious and clearly linked to client business outcomes
People and Culture
Build and lead high-performance teams across markets, setting clear expectations and accountability standardsFoster a culture that is hard on the work and supportive of people, driving excellence without compromising collaborationLead effective change management, ensuring teams adapt to evolving client, market and business needsAttract, develop and retain top talent, creating clear pathways for growth and progression
Product
Shape and evolve an integrated creative and experience offering, working seamlessly across Bastion capabilities within the Experience team and where necessary the broader creative capabilities of the broader Bastion groupCo-Drive stronger client engagement, influencing strategy early and positioning Bastion Experience as a true partnerBuild and optimise supplier partnerships, ensuring best-in-class delivery through trusted partnersContinuously refine the product to stay ahead of cultural, technological and client shifts
Performance and Commercial Rigour
Drive commercial rigor, with a strong focus on margin management, pricing discipline and profitabilityLead new business origination, maintaining a strong national pipeline and converting high-value opportunitiesOwn and embed robust forecasting practices, ensuring visibility, accuracy and proactive decision-makingBalance creative ambition with commercial outcomes to deliver sustainable growth
Operational Excellence
Oversee delivery of projects nationally, ensuring quality, efficiency and profitabilityEnsure strong governance, risk management and financial controlEmbed commercial discipline across all projects, with a focus on margin and delivery excellenceContribute to continuous improvement of processes, tools and ways of working across the Experience practiceImprove ways of working, processes and cross-team collaborationRemove internal friction to enable teams to perform at their best
Success Profile (What Good Looks Like)
A well-run, high-performing business with strong commercial disciplineGrowing and retained client portfolio with deeper strategic partnershipsA clear, differentiated and evolving Experience productHigh-performing, engaged teamsA strong and visible pipeline of new business opportunities
What You Bring
Min 12 years’ experience across experiential marketing, sponsorship, partnerships, major events or brand platformsProven track record of winning and growing significant client accounts at a national levelDeep knowledge of sport, entertainment, culture and large-scale event ecosystemsCommercially astute, with experience managing revenue targets, pricing and profitabilityConfident senior communicator, comfortable presenting to C-suite stakeholdersEntrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build momentum in a high-growth environmentHigh emotional intelligence with a collaborative leadership styleMUST have full working rights in Australia
What we offer
Flexible work in a hybrid work environmentA supportive culture focused on collaboration and personal growthA truly integrated agency network that includes research, data, insights, creative, digital, experiential, reputation management, content production, performance, earned media, etc.The opportunity to lead fully integrated campaigns that expand your experience in the marketing and communications landscapeTeam Activities - a calendar of events that connects our team in creative and fun ways lead by our dedicated “Captains of Joy”Ability to connect with senior leaders within the business via Bastion mentor program
*Accepting Melbourne AND Sydney based applicants.*