Assistant Director, Content and Storytelling

The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking an experienced leader to join our Content and Storytelling division as Assistant Director, Content and Storytelling in this ongoing Executive Level 2 position.

As one of Sydney's most visited museums, the Australian National Maritime Museum shares our national maritime story across Australia and the world, online, onsite and through research, presentations and travelling exhibitions, and provides must-visit museum experiences that delight and inspire.

We connect our visitors with the oceans and waterways that are the heartbeat of who we are. From deep time to modern Australian and beyond, we explore our past, our present and future as an island nation shaped by sea, offering a sustainable and cohesive vision for the future.

The Museum welcomes over 2.5 million local, interstate and international visitors annually, and is supported by a thriving and passionate staff, membership, volunteer and education base. Find out more at

Reporting to the Director and working in close collaboration with the senior executive team and key external stakeholders, the Assistant Director – Content and Storytelling, leads research, exhibitions, digital and first nations teams, with the responsibility for supporting the realisation of the Museum's vision and identity in a complex and changing environment.

This position combines a mix of strategic and operational factors, with an emphasis on inclusive leadership, editorial judgement and talent development. The position will contribute as a core member of the executive team, adding to the broader agenda and strategic priorities under the ANMM's Strategic Vision and Corporate Plan. With a focus on building capability and customer service excellence, the position will embed a culture of responsive storytelling, collaboration and innovation across the Museum.

The role plays a pivotal role in shaping the Museum's success. It is an ongoing, full-time and Sydney based role.

Key Accountabilities
Under broad direction, this position is responsible for delivering the following functions:

• Develop and lead high performing, collaborative and responsive exhibition and storytelling teams that works collectively and generously across the organisation.
• Integrate storytelling in its many forms across all sections of the organisation, putting the visitor/audience at the heart.
• Support the key section Heads in building internal capability and in the establishment and delivery of collective and individual KPI's that drive the ambition of the strategic framework.
• Identify and develop commercialisation opportunities and profitable revenue streams across the Museum.
• Manage budgets to achieve defined deliverables to a high level of performance and best value for money.
• Exercise independent judgement that advances the work of the Museum.

1. Senior leadership experience in managing diverse and complex teams.
2. Demonstrated experience in budget analysis and management.
3. Proven communication, negotiation and presentation skills, including the ability to represent the museum in formal and informal situations.
4. Understanding of role and significance of a national museum.
5. Experience in storytelling and audience engagement across a range of mediums.
6. Ability to adapt and adjust to the changing technology and visitor expectations.

This position is open to all eligible members of the community, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability and people from every cultural and linguistic background. To be an eligible member of the community, you must be an Australian citizen. Applications may be accepted from Australian permanent residents who are in the process of acquiring Australian citizenship.

All employees will be required to satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check and obtain and maintain a Working with Children Check registration.

Applications Close: 12pm AEST, Thursday, 29 May 2025. No Applications will be accepted by mail or email.

When applying via our online e-recruitment system, please provide a cover letter addressing the details in the 'Key Accountabilities and 'Selection Criteria' by outlining in 1000 words or less, how your skills and relevant experience demonstrate that you would be our ideal candidate. Your current resume is also to be included in your application.

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

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 Panel. As part of the selection process the Selection Panel may invite candidates to undertake online testing, skills-based assessment and provide samples of written work at interview.