When passion meets profession

For Kirrilee Hay, working in events isn’t just a career choice, it is a passion. Having worked on South Australia’s longest-running event, the Royal Adelaide Show, and volunteered for multiple festivals over the years, Kirrilee knew she loved working in the events industry. After a stint in the automotive industry, she was eager to get back to where her heart truly belonged – that’s when she noticed a Marketing Project Manager role up for grabs at Adelaide Fringe.

My passion for working on major events is what really attracted me to this role, and I saw this as a great opportunity to use my skills in this area on something even bigger.

Reflecting on what drew her towards applying for the role, Kirrilee explains, “I also think that values alignment is key when looking for new opportunities – I value environmental sustainability and community inclusion, so seek roles that allow me to contribute to initiatives in this space.” The role at Adelaide Fringe was exactly what she was looking for.

With the help of Robert Walters consultant Giuseppe Nasca, Kirrilee discovered an opportunity that perfectly aligned with her skills and aspirations. She navigated the recruitment process with ease and was soon offered the role. Reflecting on the “relaxed nature” of the experience, Kirrilee shares, “Robert Walters made it easy to understand exactly what the role entailed and were really supportive throughout the recruitment process.”

Kirrilee’s positive impact on Adelaide Fringe was immediate. In her first festival season in 2023, Adelaide Fringe hit a milestone of one million ticket sales. That success led to a “pinch-me” for Kirrilee: an invitation to speak at the Digital Adelaide conference to share the festival’s campaign strategy. "I had never spoken at a conference before, so it was a huge career highlight for me," she reflects.

Since joining Adelaide Fringe, Kirrilee has not only found professional fulfilment but has also grown within the organisation, being promoted to Head of Marketing.

The promotion has been so valuable for my development, being able to contribute to more strategic discussions at an executive level.

Beyond career growth, the flexibility of working from home and the introduction of a nine-day fortnight for full-time staff have significantly improved Kirrilee’s work-life balance. However, what truly makes this role fulfilling is the impact she gets to make every day.

"I love the diversity of projects and the opportunity to contribute to diversity and inclusion initiatives," she says. "And it’s cliché to say, but the team culture makes it easy to come to work every day!"

Kirrilee has also had the chance to showcase her strengths in written communication, playing a key role in crafting award submissions that have earned Adelaide Fringe recognition at both state and national levels.

With a role that combines her passion, skills, and values, Kirrilee has found the perfect stage to thrive—proving that the right opportunity, with the right support, can lead to an incredible career journey.

Robert Walters Adelaide has been supporting Adelaide Fringe as a partner for six Festivals through recruiting and retaining their diverse team of permanent and seasonal staff who make the festival possible. Learn more about our partnership.

Adelaide Fringe is running from the 21 February – 23 March 2025. Book your tickets here.

If you’re ready to explore exciting career opportunities and realise your potential, register your CV or contact the Robert Walters team today.