Head of Programming & Activation

Are you a creative leader passionate about cultural engagement? We're seeking a Head of Programming & Activation to lead innovative programs, events, and educational initiatives across our landmark sites. You'll drive audience growth, deepen visitor connection, and elevate our brand through bold, engaging experiences. Join us to shape how diverse communities connect with history, culture, and place.

What the opportunity is:

• Employment with Museums of History NSW.
• Clerk Grade 11/12 Remuneration package includes salary ($145,378 - $168,130), employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.
• Full-time employment on an ongoing basis (35 hours per week).
• The role will work across Sydney.

What we do
MHNSW brings together the museums, historic houses and associated collections previously in the care of Sydney Living Museums with the vast collection of more than 13 million items held by the former NSW State Archives. This includes one of the world’s most complete and important collections documenting colonisation.

What you’ll do with us
The role will lead the development and delivery of a multi-sited program of activations, programs and major events with the aim of deepening visitor engagement and diversifying audiences, profiling the significance of the sites and collections and making them accessible, building self-generated revenue opportunities and enhancing brand profile for Museums of History NSW.

For more information on the role, you are welcome to contact Rebecca Bushby, Director Programming, Production & Audience via 0450 856 781 or [email protected].

Click here for the role description including the capabilities required for this role.

What you need to do to apply
To apply you will need to submit the following:

• A one to two page cover letter outlining how your skills and experiences meet the essential requirements for this role,
• A current resume listing two referees, and
• Respond to the 2 targeted questions (no more than 300 words per answer). Your responses to the targeted questions should be submitted online during your application and not included in the covering letter

What you need to tell us - Targeted questions:

1. Provide an example of a project where you created new programmatic content that was produced and distributed across multiple platforms. What were the challenges and benefits associated with this approach?
2. Demonstrate how you are able to communicate effectively using different methods to apply to a range of different stakeholders, including internal staff of all levels, and external partners including other creative agencies, government and cultural organisations.

Essential requirements of the role:

• Qualifications or extensive experience in visitor engagement through exhibitions and interpretation projects or major event projects, in a multi-faceted cultural or heritage environment.
• Record of managing successful, innovative visitor experience and engagement programs at a whole of organisation scale in a competitive environment, firmly grounded in curatorial scholarship and heritage values.
• Proven skills in developing, managing, delivering and evaluating content rich and creative experiences from large scale festivals, talks, education programs to community events and collaborations for a wide range of audiences and experience in developing sustainable programs for cultural and heritage sites.
• Proven senior management experience in a complex organisation and the ability to interact effectively with multiple and diverse stakeholders, including government, business, donors and the wider community to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and confidence in preparing and delivering compelling presentations, pitches, proposals and funding applications.
• Excellent numeracy skills and the ability to analyse and prepare budgets and forecasts.
• Time management, analytic and problem solving skills and the ability manage multiple projects with competing timelines.
• Proficiency in Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and booking systems.
• Passion to make a positive impact in the community and a willingness to work within MHNSW’s values and behaviours to advance its mission.
• Willingness to work across all sites as required and ability to travel to multiple locations.

Also note:

• For additional resources to help prepare your application and understanding of the process please refer to Applying for a job.
• To be eligible for an ongoing role in the NSW Public Sector you need to be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident. For temporary and casual roles, you need to hold a valid visa giving you permission to work in Australia as required by the role.
• All successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check with NSW Police.
• A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

Submit your application before the closing date: 11.59pm Monday 9 June 2025

Diversity and Flexible Working
We are expert keepers and tellers of history, and its many stories, peoples, and cultures. We want to create a team and workplace that reflects this diversity as well as the diversity in the communities we serve. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better, more inclusive results and connects our people to our communities, to our history, and to each other.

Our vision is to support and empower First Nations people, communities and culture, and across the sites that we care for, we are committed to shifting perspectives, truth telling and delivering honest reflections on history.

If you are a First Nations applicant who would like to have a yarn about the role, or require additional support, please contact Hayden Walsh our Senior Advisor First Nations Employment & Engagement on 02 8239 2281 or via [email protected].

We understand that flexibility means different things to different people and are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where and when possible.

Our team can provide alternative formats to apply, make adjustments to the recruitment process and offer information about workplace adjustments and support networks.

If you are a person who requires adjustment and would like to request assistance, please contact Liz Akerboom on 02 8239 2355 or via [email protected].

For more information, please visit:

Information on some of the different types of disabilities
Information on adjustments available for the recruitment process

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.