Manager, Strategic Programs – NMA

Vacancy Details
Closing Date
01/02/2026 11:59 pm
Institution
National Museum of Australia
Salary
$118,256 to $126,927
Employment status
Full-time ongoing
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, Strategic Programs is responsible for the oversight and delivery of a range of programs and events to meet the needs of the Museum’s diverse stakeholders and strategic priorities. Responsibilities include forward planning and program development in alignment with the Museum’s exhibition program, budget and staff management, 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 strategic and public programs for key Museum stakeholders across audience segments including adults, intergenerational audiences and families.

The Manager, Strategic Programs ensures programming offers a seamless audience experience, providing opportunities for visitors to find connection and belonging at the Museum regardless of age or stage. The role drives integration across programs and events to ensure a cohesive, audience-first experience that supports learning, accessibility, inclusion and visitor engagement. It also plays a critical role in building staff capability, fostering collaboration, and managing logistics and delivery across a high-volume, high-visibility program.

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, Public 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 development and delivery of high-level official and VIP programs and events, ensuring professional liaison with stakeholders and alignment with appropriate customs and protocols.
  • Support the Head of Visitor Experience in the development and delivery of work plans, budgets and reports.
  • Oversee the Museum’s communication with local traditional custodians to coordinate Welcome to Country, Smoking ceremonies and other cultural practices for Museum programs and events.
  • Manage contracts, budgets and logistics for public programs, ensuring high-quality and cost-effective delivery.
  • Monitor program performance and impact, using evaluation data, feedback and audience insights to inform continuous improvement.
  • 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.