Australia's most visited museum organisation is seeking a Collection Manager, First Peoples Collection at Museums Victoria.
ABOUT MUSEUMS VICTORIA:
Ever dreamed of working in a place where dinosaurs roam, stars explode, and the world's most intriguing stories come to life? Welcome to Museums Victoria (MV) - where every day is a new opportunity to create unforgettable experiences. As one of the southern hemisphere's largest and most iconic museum organisations, we're not just about exhibits; we're about engaging, immersive moments that spark curiosity, creativity, and connection.
Home to the awe-inspiring Melbourne Museum, the culturally rich Immigration Museum, the mind-expanding Scienceworks, and the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building, MV is a place where events transform spaces and stories into something truly unmissable. Join a passionate team that brings ideas to life and makes discovery part of everyday experience.
Museums Victoria acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters on which we work, and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We're proud to care for the First Peoples Collection in close partnership with Australian, Pasifika and International First Peoples communities, and we welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
As Collection Manager, First Peoples Collection, you'll help care for and manage the First Peoples Collection - encompassing cultural materials, images and documents from Australian, Pasifika and International First Peoples communities.
You'll be accountable for maintaining the systems, standards and processes used to care for the Collection, and for helping First Peoples communities and other stakeholders access it. You'll work within Museums Victoria's policies and procedures, First Peoples and First Nations cultural protocols, and relevant legislation - bringing consistency, care and cultural sensitivity to everything you do.
This is a full-time, fixed-term opportunity (2 years) for someone who enjoys hands-on collection work and wants to build genuine relationships with community.
Some of the key duties include:
- Contributing to the day-to-day management and care of the First Peoples Collection at Melbourne Museum and the Merri-bek Annexe
- Implementing agreed procedures for receiving, registering, cataloguing and photographing/digitising collection items
- Maintaining electronic and paper-based collection information systems
- Applying safe storage, handling, packing and transport standards, including risk management and hazardous materials procedures
- Facilitating appropriate access to the Collection for First Peoples communities, internal teams, researchers and other stakeholders, and supporting the First Peoples Enquiry Service
- Coordinating small to medium projects such as re-housing and digitisation, in collaboration with the Senior Collection Manager - Ethnohistory Collection
- Undertaking archival research and enhancing catalogue records and documentation
- Building and maintaining relationships with community groups and organisations to support culturally appropriate collection management
- Contributing to strategies and procedures for the First Peoples Collection, and training and supervising staff and volunteers
The successful applicant will have:
- Tertiary qualifications in Anthropology, History, Archives or Museum Studies, or equivalent relevant experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of managing Australian, Pasifika or International First Peoples collections
- At least 4 years' experience in museum collection management, including maintaining catalogue databases (EMu and/or Vernon experience highly regarded)
- Experience with electronic registration, cataloguing, documentation, digitisation and location control
- An understanding of First Peoples cultural and legal considerations relating to the management, access and use of First Peoples collections
- Experience in safe collection handling, packing, transport and storage, including for audiovisual formats and diverse document types
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team
- The ability to train and supervise volunteers and project staff
OTHER INFORMATION
This is a Full time, fixed-term (2 year) position, classified at Grade 3, Value Range 1 ($81,496 to $90,227) under the Museums Victoria Cultural and Creative Agencies Enterprise Agreement 2025. Salary will be commensurate with this classification, plus superannuation.
The successful applicant will be required to:
- Hold a current Australian driver's licence (essential)
- Undergo a National Police Records Check and be assessed as suitable (new employees are required to meet this cost)
- Work across multiple Museums Victoria sites, including Melbourne Museum and the Merri-bek Annexe
HOW TO APPLY?
To view the full position description, visit Careers - Museums Victoria. From the Current Vacancies page, select "All Jobs" and click through to this job's listing.
To apply, please click "Apply for this Job" at the bottom of the job listing page.
For more information about this position, please contact Jade Hadfield at [email protected].
Please submit the following two documents with your application:
- Your Resume
- A 1-2 page cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria as outlined in the Role Statement (please refer to the attached document)
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 18 SEPTEMBER 2026 (11:59pm)
