Head of Collections

Overview

Lead the strategic care and development of significant cultural collections. MAGNT is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Collections to lead its History, Culture, and the Arts (HCA) Collection Management program and teams.

This senior role will lead the inter-disciplinary Collection team, ensuring alignment with Museum priorities and delivering a high standard of collection care and access across all of its activities. This is vital in maintaining MAGNT's reputation as a trusted custodian of significant Australian, Aboriginal, and Southeast Asia Art and Material Culture collections. Key ongoing projects will include digitisation, reviewing collection storage and deaccessioning.

If you are passionate about cultural heritage, experienced in managing complex and diverse collections and ready to lead MAGNT's collection program, join our team in Darwin and make your mark on the Territory’s most iconic cultural institution.

Ready to make an impact?

Read the full job description and selection criteria (PDF download) in the provided link.

Applications close: Sunday, 12 October 2025 at 11:59pm (AEST).

Selection Criteria

- Selection Criteria 1: Strong leadership, interpersonal and organisational skills to enable effective team development and high-performance delivery within a multi-disciplinary and diverse work environment.
- Selection Criteria 2: Relevant tertiary qualifications and demonstrated experience in the application of professional museum standards in registration or collection management practices gained through working in a museum-related environment for a minimum of five years.
- Selection Criteria 3: Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the documentation of museum collections and use of collection management systems that support, research, access and reporting on the collection.
- Selection Criteria 4: Demonstrated experience of high-level strategic thinking in the development and delivery of complex and multi-faceted projects.
- Selection Criteria 5: Demonstrated experience in timely and accurate preparation of reports on matters that relate to the collection including Board and Annual Reports and with compilation of data for audit, valuation, stocktake and insurance purposes.
- Selection Criteria 6: Understanding of issues relating to use of images including copyright.
- Selection Criteria 7: Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of IPM, risk management and disaster plans to minimise risk and to safeguard staff and the collection.
- Selection Criteria 8: Highly developed communication and networking skills at the institutional, government and community levels.
- Selection Criteria 9: An ability to interact effectively with people from different cultures and a sound understanding of Work Health Safety (WHS) practises to ensure WHS system compliance.

About MAGNT

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is the Northern Territory’s premier cultural organisation. Our principal facility since 1981 is on Larrakia Land at Bullocky Point in Darwin, home to internationally renowned cultural and scientific collections and research and exhibition programs. MAGNT also operates the historic Fannie Bay Gaol in Darwin, the Museum of Central Australia incorporating the Strehlow Research Centre in Alice Springs, Megafauna Central and the Alcoota Fossil Bed site north east of Alice Springs. MAGNT also manages the historic Lyons Cottage on Darwin’s Esplanade and the Defence of Darwin Experience at East Point in Darwin. MAGNT attracts over 300,000 visitors annually to our sites.

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