- Non-ongoing, Fulltime - EL1
- $121,755 to $132,713
- Campbell, ACT
The Role
The Public Programs Manager is responsible for guiding the overall visitor experience of the Discovery Zone including developing; storyline, themes and collections and multimedia to engage broad audiences. In particular, the Public Programs Manager is responsible for the research, development and delivery of learning programs, to children and their families as well as onsite school-aged audiences. The Public Programs Manager will ensure all programs remain relevant to the Memorial’s strategic vision: To be recognised globally as one of the finest national memorials of its kind, providing meaningful experiences through commemoration and authentic and engaging storytelling.
The Public Programs Manager will be required to work closely with the Exhibition Project Manager and Discovery Zone project team, whilst managing other team members in the delivery of the gallery development vision. The work involves the development and implementation of Discovery Zone, associated programs and operational procedures and pricing for the extended galleries.
The position will take an active role in the development of the stakeholder consultation strategy and will be responsible for guiding Memorial staff responsible for delivering against the engagement objectives. This position will be responsible for collaborating with consultants, and contractors involved in content development and multimedia delivery.
The Public Programs Manager will be accountable to the Gallery Development management team, Advisory Groups and other key stakeholders. The position works collaboratively with the Gallery Development Team led by the Executive Program Director.
This position will initially be filled until September 2028, with the possibility for extension and/or permanency.
Core Responsibilities
The Public Programs Manager plays a key leadership role within the Exhibition Project Team and will assist in leading the work of a small direct team and a wider indirect team of staff drawn from sections of the Memorial, or externally as required. The Public Programs Manager facilitates the creative translation of research, collection material and objects, learning programs and other content into the Discovery Zone experience, online content, or other delivery formats approved by the Executive Group. The Public Programs Manager, Discovery Zone will:
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Provide professional expertise and strategic direction in shaping the proposed Discovery Zone through connecting content to Memorial galleries, engaging visitor programs and curriculum outcomes.
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Use an audience focused approach, and knowledge of best practice in interpretation, to shape key messages and visitor outcomes.
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Contribute to the overall storyline and themes for the Discovery Zone exhibits.
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Ensure that the Discovery Zone considers long term, medium term and short term cycles and integrates a viable plan for the long-term operation, maintenance and continued development of the new experience.
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Having a good understanding of current and emerging learning and interpretation methodologies to identify models and approaches suitable for the Discovery Zone.
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Manage the provision of high quality, Australian Curriculum linked learning experiences for school visits and lifelong learning activities for children and family audiences using the Discovery Zone.
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Contribute to the development and preparation of key documents, including curatorial rationale, concept description; exhibition design brief including functional design brief; concept design; developed design and multimedia briefs and storyboards.
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Contribute to formative audience evaluation processes and supplying materials for testing.
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Build and sustain effective working relationships with a network of key internal, and external stakeholders such as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, various Departments of Education: PACER Committee, NCETP, HTAA, and other national cultural agencies.
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Contribute to the preparation of all exhibition text. Work with the Curator and broader exhibition team to co-coordinate drafts with the Editor(s) in preparation for approval by Senior Management.
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Contribute to development of audio-visual content in conjunction with the Exhibition Project Manager and contractors. Develop the content associated with exhibition multimedia.
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Work closely with the project team and broader internal stakeholder group to ensure exhibition milestones and program is achieved.
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Contribute to exhibition specific Stakeholder Management Plans, ensuring key stakeholder groups are identified for consultation on specific stories and/or collections associated with the exhibition.
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Participate in review and approval stages by the Corporate Management Group (CMG) of exhibition content.
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Contribute to high level correspondence, papers, and project reports such as budget business cases, risk assessments and WHS and Child Safety compliance.
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Lead the development of key public programming material including visitor programs; publications; web; media including social media; and marketing, as required.
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Lead, manage and contribute to the team to produce quality outcomes and personal development to direct report(s).
Position Eligibility
- Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
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All applicants external to AWM that are offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a National Police Check, even if they currently hold a security clearance. The check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
Mandatory Requirements
- A current ACT Government Working with Vulnerable People Registration or ability to obtain one.
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Relevant formal qualifications in Education or Museum Studies and/or equivalent professional experience.
Contact Information
- For specific questions relating to this job vacancy, please contact: Bliss Jensen, (02) 6243 4449, [email protected]
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For questions relating to the online lodgement of your application, please email the Recruitment team via [email protected]
Closing Date
Applications close at 11:30pm, Wednesday, 24 June 2026
For more details about the position and how to apply, please view the Job Information Pack.
Notes
A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.
Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.
The Memorial is committed to workplace diversity and maintains an environment that values the contribution of people from different backgrounds and experiences. The Memorial welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, veterans, mature age people, people from diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability.
