Paul Doorn is chief executive of the New South Wales Waratahs, who finished bottom in the Super Rugby Pacific competition this season.
He will take up his new post in Dunedin before Christmas.
As well as leading NSW Rugby and the Waratahs since 2020, Mr Doorn has extensive experience in overseeing management of venues, including Accor Stadium, better known as Stadium Australia, the 2000 Olympics venue.
He had more than 20 years’ leadership experience in the public and private sectors and had dedicated more than a decade to sports administration, major events and sporting infrastructure, Dunedin Venues said in a statement.
Mr Doorn succeeds Terry Davies, who resigned in June after 10 years heading the organisation.
There will be a handover before Christmas and Mr Doorn will relocate to Dunedin in January.
Dunedin Venues is owned by the Dunedin City Council and it operates Forsyth Barr Stadium and the Dunedin Centre (Glenroy Auditorium, Dunedin Town Hall and Municipal Chambers).
The company’s website describes it as the city’s premier conference organiser, venue and event services company.
Looming challenges are expected to include rivalry with Christchurch once it has its own roofed stadium, although Mr Davies has said Dunedin would be well-placed to compete.
Mr Doorn was made redundant in July amid an Australian rugby restructure and it was announced at the time he was to finish up at the end of December.
His contribution had been instrumental in navigating numerous challenges, Waratahs chairman Tony Crawford said.
In a May interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Mr Doorn described the role as full-on and said the Covid-19 pandemic had been a baptism of fire.
On how the team was going, he said it had not been an easy run, “but I think you’d struggle to be in this job if you didn’t have a positive attitude or a glass-half-full perspective”.
A media release from Dunedin Venues said Mr Doorn had elevated the Waratahs into a global brand.
In a follow-up statement, the Dunedin Venues board said it had undertaken a thorough recruitment process.
The board said it had considered a pool of exceptional national and international candidates.
“Ultimately, Paul Doorn emerged as the standout choice with his extensive experience, particularly in managing major venues in Sydney.
“Paul’s redundancy was announced in July as part of a structural realignment of Australian Rugby — a process which he provided direct input into.”
Mr Doorn said Dunedin had venues in the heart of the city, serving as significant tourism and economic drivers.
“I am excited to be relocating to Dunedin, a city that I have always enjoyed visiting, and to bring my experience in sports and major events to Dunedin Venues.”
