Zac Wightman

As the Athlete and Event Manager for Billabong and RVCA, I report directly to the Marketing Manager and oversee both athlete and event budgets, ensuring all spend aligns with strategic goals and delivers measurable commercial return. I manage the start to finish planning of events, from competitions such as the Burleigh Single Fin and the Occy Grom Comp, to activations and functions that reflect the brand’s DNA and maintaining its public perception. This includes designing innovative campaign concepts, coordinating athlete and staff logistics, and executing events that maximise exposure, engagement, and other KPI's.

On the athlete side, I plan and negotiate contracts against proposed budgets to ensure maximum return on investment while maintaining strong, long-term relationships with both emerging and elite talent. I work closely with athletes to align their aspirations with brand strategy, optimise athlete public perception, and develop opportunities that amplify brand storytelling across multiple channels.

I maintain and strengthen key relationships with partners, wholesalers, and other key surf industry personalities, ensuring alignment in the marketplace. My role requires a mix of strategic vision, operational precision, and interpersonal skill, consistently delivering experiences and partnerships that elevate the brand while achieving commercial objectives.

I began my aviation career in baggage handling and ground operations, building a foundation in precision execution within high-pressure, deadline-driven environments.

Managing aircraft turnarounds sharpened my ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, problem solve in real time, and deliver operational outcomes where timing and safety were critical.I progressed to Regional Ground Services Manager in 2023, repsonsible for operations across six regional airports nationwide. I often travelled extensively at short notice to manage performance and resolve operational challenges on the ground. I built and maintained strong relationships with local airport authorities and key stakeholders, and delivered detailed operational performance reporting to the Qantas Group.

I was solely responsible for rostering, budget oversight, safety management systems, compliance reporting, and the leadership of multi-site teams and managers. The role required strategic planning, logistical coordination, financial accountability, and disciplined execution—capabilities directly transferable to complex event management environments.