Manager, Public Programs – NMA

Vacancy Details
Closing Date
18/01/2026 11:59 pm
Institution
National Museum of Australia Manager, Public Programs
Salary
$118,256 to $126,927
Employment status
Specified Term
Location
Canberra ACT
Contact name
Carlie Walker, 02 6208 5201
Contact email

Role purpose

The Museum is seeking an experienced people manager with a strong track record in program development and delivery, audience engagement and project management.

The Manager of Public Programs is responsible for the oversight and delivery of major events and public programs for the Museum’s diverse audiences and is responsible for the management of the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre and programs. Responsibilities include forward planning and program development in alignment with the Museum’s exhibition program, budget management and support of business planning, collaboration and liaison with key internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring high quality programming and engagement is maintained.

Reporting to the Head of Visitor Experience the role directly manages a team of APS 6 Senior programs producers responsible for driving the development, delivery and evaluation of public programs for visitors ranging from early learners, families and access groups to teens and adults, and intergenerational audiences.

The key duties of the position include:

Key accountabilities

  • Lead a team to collaborate and develop programs that are innovative, engaging and deliver high standards of engagement consistent with the Museum’s exhibitions, themes and audience interests.
  • Work collaboratively with the Manager, Strategic Programs and other stakeholders to design and deliver the Museum’s a forward program of events aligned with the Museum’s key priorities and exhibition program.
  • Lead the team to project manage program delivery overseeing operational logistics, risk assessment, budgets, resource coordination and staff capability.
  • Oversee the safe operations of the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre and the delivery of regular programming for families and early learners, alongside school holiday, adult and intergenerational public programming.
  • Support the Head of Visitor Experience in the development and delivery of work plans, budgets and reports.
  • Prioritise safe work practices, accessibility and cultural safety across programs and staff development.
  • Ensure programs reflect accessibility, cultural safety and inclusion standards, working closely with First Nations and access advisors.
  • Monitor program performance and impact, using evaluation data, feedback and audience insights to inform continuous improvement.
  • Manage contracts, budgets and logistics for public programs, ensuring high-quality and cost-effective delivery.
  • 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

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.

 

Notes

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.