Role Purpose
The Museum has an exciting opportunity for a motivated First Nations professional as the Manager, Community Access & Collections. The role leads a small team in the facilitation of First Nations community access to and research on First Nations material held in the Museum’s collections. In collaboration with the Manager Special Holdings and the Collection & Curatorial teams, working in partnership with First Nations Communities, Traditional Owners, Elders, and their representative organisations, the role facilitates collection access, research and engagement in accordance with policy and cultural requirements.
The Manager, Community Access & Collections operates within a shared accountability model across the First Nations Division and Collection & Curatorial Division. The role will work alongside the Senior Curator (First Nations) to bring complementary expertise to the care of and engagement with First Nations collections.
This position requires deep knowledge and understanding of First Nations cultural practices along with strong leadership, strategic thinking, commitment to collaboration and experience in community engagement.
The Museum will provide a work mobile phone to facilitate community engagement.
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.
Skills, experience and qualifications
Essentials:
• Demonstrated experience in building, leading and supporting a team in the care of First Nations material and working collaboratively with other teams to facilitate community engagement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a proven ability to build and sustain strong relationships with a range of stakeholders, including diverse First Nations communities.
• Demonstrated experience caring for and providing advice on First Nations collections and culturally appropriate handling, documentation and access conditions, and contributing this knowledge to policy development, contemporary conversation and research in the cultural sector.
• Deep knowledge of and connection to First Nations communities, cultures and protocols, with a commitment to culturally informed and inclusive practice.
• High level project management skills and demonstrated experience in management of budgets, contracts, reporting and risk, especially related to First Nations Collections and Access activities.
Desirable:
• Qualifications in Indigenous studies, anthropology, heritage, collections management or a related discipline.
• Experience working in a museum, gallery or archival setting.
• Familiarity with relevant legislation, policy and international repatriation protocols.
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
• 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.
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.