Manager, Community Access and Collections – National Museum of Australia
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0770862
- Agency: National Museum of Australia
- Job Title: Manager, Community Access and Collections
- Position Number: 150577
- Classification: Executive Level 1
- Closing Date: Wednesday 15 July 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
- Location: Canberra ACT
- Future Merit Locations: Canberra
- Salary: $122,277 – $132,713
- Office Arrangement: Flexible (To be negotiated on commencement)
About National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia is recognised at home and around the world as the place where the story of Australia comes
alive. The Museum is the only institution equipped to tell the complex and comprehensive story of Australia from 65,000 years ago
to the present day. The story of Australia is a remarkable one, from the ancient and enduring histories of the world’s oldest living
cultures to the achievements of modern Australia. It is a story that is ever evolving and growing – and it is a story for a nation and
for the world. Our vision and mission • The Museum inspires, challenges and empowers people to find their voice and place in the
world. • We strive to build a just and equitable society that honours and respects the First Nations peoples of this continent and all
who have come after. • We collect, document, research and make accessible heritage collections that represent the diversity of
experience in Australia. • We engage with audiences physically and digitally to promote learning, dialogue and debate about our
past, present and future. • We promote collaborative work across the breadth of artistic and creative practice to enhance the
cultural life of our nation. • We value and respect the commitment and contribution of all who participate in and contribute to the
Museum’s community. • The National Museum of Australia brings to life the rich and diverse stories of Australia through compelling
objects, ideas and events. For more information, visit the NMA website.
Duties
- Key Accountabilities
- Provide strategic leadership, guidance and mentorship to staff within the First Nations
- business unit, fostering a culturally safe culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous
- professional development.
- Lead a team in the facilitation of community collections access visits, and necessary
- research for First Nations material held in the Museum’s collections, in line with policy and
- cultural requirements.
- Initiate and sustain collaborative relationships with First Nations Communities, Traditional
- Owners, Elders, and their representative organisations.
- Work closely with the Collection & Curatorial teams, and the Manager Special Holdings in
- the management and care of First Nations materials, to ensure accurate records, consistent
- workflows, and culturally informed practices.
- Lead development of culturally appropriate collection care, management and access
- guidelines, including cultural custodianship frameworks, policies and procedural guidance
- that supports respectful engagement with First Nations people and communities.
- Work closely with the Manager of Strategic Projects and teams across the Museum to
- manage a range of collections-focussed community projects and programs.
- Manage contracts, budgets, logistics, risk management and reporting related to First Nations
- Collections and Access activities.
- Support the Head of First Nations in the development and delivery of work plans, budgets,
- business planning and reports.
- Represent the Museum in senior-level professional forums and partnerships, building
- networks of influence.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to Work Health and Safety (WH&S) by actively
- supporting a positive safety culture, following the Museum’s WHS policies and procedures,
- and complying with reasonable instructions to ensure alignment with the Work Health and
- Safety Act 2011 .
Eligibility / Notes
- To be eligible to apply for this vacancy, applicants must:
- be an Australian citizen
- undergo pre-employment checks, including a police record check
- hold or be eligible to hold a security clearance at the level specified in the position
- description
- hold or be able to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People registration.
- The National Museum of Australia is an equal employment opportunity workplace. Aboriginal and
- Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to
- apply for roles at the Museum.
- This position is open to Australian First Nations people only in accordance with ‘The Affirmative
- Measure – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment provision’ set out in Section 26 of the
- Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2016 and is within the meaning of Special
- Measures under subsection 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.
- RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under RecruitAbility you will be invited to participate in
- further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under RecruitAbility; declare you
- have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position.
- The Museum is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly environment. All employees
- are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for, these principles, in theory and
- practice.
How to Apply
Applicants must include a one-page pitch addressing their suitability for the role against the
essential and desirable skills, experience and qualifications. Applicants must also provide a
resume and contact details for 2 referees.
Visit https://www.nma.gov.au/about/employment and apply online.
Applications close 11:59pm, Wednesday 15 July 2026.
Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. If you require, or would
like to discuss reasonable adjustments, please contact the Contact Officer for this position.
Indigenous job seekers are encouraged to apply for this vacancy. If the job is ‘Identified’, then part or all of the duties impact on
Indigenous Australian communities or their representatives.
The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the ‘Racial Discrimination Act 1975’.
This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait people. This initiative/program is only applicable where the
successful applicant will be employed under the Public Service Act 1999. Similar conditions may apply when employed under other
Acts. For clarification, please contact the advertising agency.