The Role
The Public Programs Manager is responsible for guiding the overall visitor experience of the Discovery Zone, developing storyline, themes, collections and multimedia to engage broad audiences. This includes the research, development and delivery of learning programs for children, families and onsite school-aged audiences. The Manager ensures all programs remain aligned with 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 storytelling.
The position works closely with the Exhibition Project Manager and Discovery Zone project team, managing additional team members while delivering the gallery development vision. The Manager develops and implements Discovery Zone programmes, operational procedures and pricing for the extended galleries, and an active stakeholder consultation strategy. The role collaborates with consultants, contractors and internal staff to meet engagement objectives, reporting to the Gallery Development management team, Advisory Groups and other key stakeholders. The role is initially filled until September 2028, with possible extension or permanency.
Core Responsibilities
* Provide professional expertise and strategic direction in shaping the proposed Discovery Zone, connecting content to Memorial galleries, engaging visitor programmes and curriculum outcomes.
* Use an audience‐focused approach and knowledge of best practice in interpretation to shape key messages and visitor outcomes.
* Contribute to the overall storyline and themes for the Discovery Zone exhibits.
* Ensure that the Discovery Zone considers long‐term, medium‐term and short‐term cycles, integrating a viable plan for long‐term operation, maintenance and continued development.
* Apply current and emerging learning and interpretation methodologies to identify suitable models and approaches for the Discovery Zone.
* Manage the provision of high‐quality, Australian Curriculum‐linked learning experiences for school visits and lifelong learning activities for children and family audiences.
* Develop key documents, including curatorial rationale, concept description, exhibition design brief, functional design brief, concept design, multimedia briefs and storyboards.
* Contribute to formative audience evaluation processes and supply materials for testing.
* Build and sustain effective working relationships with 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.
* Co‐coordinate exhibition text drafts with the Curator and broader exhibition team for senior‐management approval.
* Develop audio‐visual content in conjunction with the Exhibition Project Manager and contractors, including exhibition multimedia content.
* Work closely with the project team and internal stakeholder group to ensure exhibition milestones and programmes are achieved.
* Contribute to exhibition‐specific stakeholder management plans, ensuring stakeholder groups are identified for consultation on specific stories and/or collections.
* Participate in review and approval stages by the Corporate Management Group (CMG) of exhibition content.
* Contribute to high‐level correspondence, papers and project reports such as budget business cases, risk assessments and WHS/Child Safety compliance.
* Lead the development of key public programming material, including visitor programmes, publications, web, media (including social media) and marketing as required.
* Lead, manage and support the team to produce quality outcomes and support personal development of direct reports.
* Comply with APS citizenship and security requirements: only Australian citizens are eligible and all external applicants must undergo a National Police Check as per the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework.
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).
* 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.
Mandatory Requirements
* Current ACT Government Working with Vulnerable People Registration or ability to obtain one.
* Relevant formal qualifications in Education, Museum Studies or equivalent professional experience.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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.
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