Create Partnerships. Inspire Investment. Shape the Future.

Non-ongoing, full-time role for 12 months, with the option of ongoing employment.

The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking an exceptional leader to drive strategic partnerships, philanthropy, and fundraising for one of Australia's most recognised and dynamic cultural institutions. This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of a nationally significant organisation by building the relationships, advocacy and support that will enable the Museum to expand its impact, reach and sustainability for generations to come.

As Head of Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy, you will lead a high-profile portfolio focused on securing transformational partnerships, philanthropic investment, sponsorship, and strategic collaborations that advance the Museum's vision and purpose. Working alongside the Director, Executive Leadership Team, Council, Foundation, and some of Australia's most influential corporate, government and philanthropic leaders, you will create opportunities that strengthen the Museum's reputation, unlock new investment, and deliver lasting public value.

The Opportunity

This is a career-defining executive leadership opportunity for someone who thrives on influence, innovation, and impact. You will identify and secure significant partnership and philanthropic opportunities, cultivate high-value relationships, lead complex negotiations, and develop strategies that generate sustainable revenue and strategic outcomes. Your leadership will help bring world-class exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives, and community experiences to life while positioning the Museum as a partner of choice across the cultural, corporate, and philanthropic sectors.

About You

You are an influential and commercially astute leader with a talent for building meaningful relationships and turning vision into action. Recognised for your ability to engage and influence at the highest levels, you have successfully secured investment, partnerships or strategic opportunities that deliver measurable impact and long-term value. You combine strategic thinking with sound commercial judgement and bring the confidence, presence, and credibility to operate across diverse stakeholder groups. Above all, you are motivated by purpose, driven by results, and energised by the opportunity to create partnerships that leave a legacy for communities, culture, and future generations.

Why Join Us?

This is more than an executive leadership role. It is an opportunity to help shape the future of a world-class cultural institution that welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors each year and plays a vital role in sharing the stories that have shaped Australia as an island nation.

At the Sea.Museum, you'll join a passionate, values-driven organisation where people are empowered to think boldly, challenge convention and make a genuine contribution. You'll work alongside dedicated professionals, influential stakeholders and community leaders who share a commitment to education, culture, innovation, and public impact. In return, you'll enjoy a competitive executive remuneration package, 15.4% superannuation, flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and the unique privilege of working from one of Australia's most iconic harbourside locations. Whether your motivation is purpose, leadership, influence, or legacy, this is an opportunity to be part of something truly extraordinary.

Join Us

If you are ready to build influential partnerships, inspire transformational investment and help shape the future of one of Australia's leading cultural institutions, we would love to hear from you.

Lead with purpose. Create lasting impact. Shape the future of the Sea.Museum

Please note: This recruitment process may be used to fill both current and future vacancies. A merit pool of suitable applicants may be established and used to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that arise within 18 months from the date the vacancy is advertised.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will demonstrate their capacity against the following:

Proven executive leadership experience developing and delivering partnership, philanthropy, sponsorship, fundraising, or business development strategies that achieve significant revenue growth and strategic outcomes.

Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with a demonstrated ability to build, lead and sustain high-value relationships across corporate, government, philanthropic, cultural and community sectors.

Demonstrated success in securing major partnerships, sponsorships, philanthropic investments, and strategic alliances, including the negotiation of complex commercial and funding arrangements.

Highly developed strategic, commercial and analytical capability, with the ability to identify opportunities, manage risk, and translate organisational priorities into sustainable growth initiatives.

Outstanding communication, negotiation and leadership skills, with the ability to represent the organisation at senior levels, inspire confidence, and lead high-performing teams to deliver exceptional outcomes.

Qualifications and/or relevant experience required

Mandatory:

Tertiary qualifications in business, marketing, communications, fundraising, philanthropy, stakeholder engagement, arts administration or a related discipline.

Extensive senior experience in strategic partnerships, philanthropy, sponsorship, fundraising, business development or stakeholder engagement, with a demonstrated track record of delivering significant revenue and strategic outcomes.

Demonstrated experience building and maintaining influential relationships across corporate, government, philanthropic and community sectors.

Desirable:

Experience working within the arts, cultural, museum, not-for-profit or public sector environment.

Knowledge of, or a demonstrated interest in, the Australian cultural sector, philanthropy landscape, and corporate partnership environment.

To apply, please complete the pre-screening questions on the Work with us page on our website. You will also need to upload:

a cover letter addressing each of the Selection Criteria with a maximum of 400 words per criterion; and

your current resumé.

In addition to an application and your resume, the assessment process for this position may also include an interview and referee reports.

Applications Close: 12pm AEST, Friday 28 August 2026. No applications will be accepted by mail or email.

Selection for this position will be made on the basis of relative merit which will be assessed against each item of the selection criteria. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered for shortlisting by the Selection Advisory Committee. As part of the selection process the Selection Advisory Committee may invite candidates to undertake online testing, skills-based assessment and provide samples of written work at interview.

This position is open to all eligible members of the community, and we welcome and encourage applications from people with disability, the LGBTIQ+ communities, from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. To be an eligible member of the community, you must be an Australian citizen. All employees will be required to satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check and obtain and maintain a NSW Working with Children Check registration.