Project Lead, AM 200th Anniversary

Join us at the Australian Museum and help us achieve our Mission to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change

About the Project

As Australia's oldest museum, established in 1827, the Australian Museum (AM) is custodian to 22 million objects and specimens that tell the story of our natural world and diverse cultures. The AM's 200th anniversary in 2027 represents an extraordinary milestone that demands extraordinary leadership.

About the Role

The Australian Museum is seeking an exceptional Project Manager to lead one of the most significant cultural celebrations in Australian history - the AM's 200th Anniversary Program. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to coordinate an ambitious, multi-year, museum-wide initiative that will celebrate two centuries of discovery, research, and wonder while positioning Australia's first museum for its next chapter.

Employment Status:

• Clerk Grade 9/10
• Fixed term
• Full time 35 hours per week
• Period of engagement: Up to 30 June 2027

Click on the following links to begin the journey to find your new career at the AM

• Role Description
• AM Candidate Pack

You will be paid a competitive annual salary rate, $129,464 - $142,665 plus employer's contribution to superannuation (currently 12%) and annual leave loading.

About you

We are seeking a dynamic project management leader who thrives on complex challenges and has the vision to rally entire organisations toward extraordinary outcomes.

Knowledge & Experience

High-level project management skills and demonstrated experience in managing multiple complex and cross- organisational projects from initiation to delivery.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including an ability to confidently communicate ideas and information which meet the needs of the target audience. Strong report writing and presentation skills.

Exceptional relationship management and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage and influence across all levels of the Australian Museum and manage business relationships with diverse stakeholder groups.

Proven ability to think innovatively and with a business development mindset, actively seeking opportunities for improvement and acting on these to ensure timely and effective execution.

Exceptional organisational skills and focus, including a capacity to effectively and efficiently prioritise tasks and manage time in accordance with strict deadlines, with meticulous attention to detail.

Leadership and decision-making skills, ability to lead cross-functional teams and ability to motivate others.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in management within the Arts and Cultural sectors.

Essential requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in business management, strategy, project management or relevant related discipline, and/or an equivalent level of professional experience.

Highly Valued:

• Experience in content research, editorial coordination, or publishing project management
• Knowledge of exhibition development and curatorial processes

Why Join Us?

This isn't just a project management role - it's a chance to be part of history. You'll help create a celebration that honours our remarkable past while inspiring future generations of curious minds. Working with world-class researchers, curators, and educators, you'll coordinate initiatives that will define how Australia's oldest museum steps into its third century.

About The Australian Museum

The Australian Museum is truly a great place to work. We aim to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; be a strong advocate for First Nations' culture; and continue to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs.

Recent staff survey results confirm that our staff feel valued, accepted and supported and that they believe the AM is an inclusive workplace. AM staff also report a high level of job satisfaction.

The AM is located on the homelands of the Gadigal people and acknowledges and pays respect to the Gadigal people as the custodians of the land, sky and waterways, paying respect to Elders past and present.

Check out our current exhibitions and events here.

Benefits

Besides working together with other like-minded people, you will have access to professional development and dedicated Wellbeing programs.

How to apply

Applicants must submit (if submitted as attachment, please upload as PDF):

• A one to two page covering letter which addresses the role description's essential requirements, key knowledge and experience.
• Resume

As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to answer two targeted questions.

1. Describe a complex project you have managed that required coordinating multiple teams or departments with different working styles, priorities, or professional cultures. What strategies did you use to align diverse stakeholders toward common objectives, and how did you overcome challenges when competing priorities emerged? Include specific examples of how you influenced and motivated without direct authority. (300 words maximum)
2. The 200th Anniversary Program involves coordinating content across multiple formats - from scholarly publications and exhibition materials to digital storytelling and public programs. Drawing on your experience, describe how you would approach ensuring consistency, quality, and accessibility when working with subject matter experts (such as researchers, curators, or academics) to develop content for diverse public audiences. What challenges might arise and how would you address them? (300 words maximum)

For more details, Frequently Asked Questions and how to apply for the role go to I Work for NSW.

The successful applicant will be subject to national criminal records check. As recommended by Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the Australian Museum encourages all applicants who can be safely vaccinated for COVID-19, to be so.

Contact person: Jacinta Spurrett, Director, Marketing, Communications and Partnerships on [email protected]

Inclusive and welcoming

The Australian Museum is an NSW Public Service organisation and aims to attract and retain the right people for the right jobs. The AM is a diverse and inclusive workplace where genuine participation and contribution is enabled, and everyone, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances is valued, accepted and supported to thrive at work.

This means that we are embedding diversity and inclusion in everything we do on a daily basis, whether it be our recruitment processes, workplace culture, career development programs, customer service or policies and procedures. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment process to better enable you to shine, please reach out to the contact person or note this in your application.

Closing date for applications: Monday, 11 August 2025, 10am