The Manager, Property Operations is responsible for the effective day-to-day operation, maintenance and service delivery across the Museum’s property portfolio, including owned and leased sites. This position ensures that all facilities are safe, compliant, and fit-for-purpose to support the Museum’s operations, staff, visitors and programs.
Reporting to the Head of Facilities and Security, the role leads operational delivery of property-related services, including preventative and reactive maintenance, contract management, utilities, cleaning, essential services, vehicle management and vendor performance. It plays a key role in ensuring continuity of services and contributes to long-term infrastructure planning, sustainability outcomes and business continuity readiness.
This role fosters cross-functional collaboration and delivers property services that align with the Museum’s standards of safety, efficiency and inclusivity.
The key duties of the position include:
Key accountabilities
* Oversee the delivery of all property operations services, including maintenance, cleaning, vehicle logistics, essential services and building operations, ensuring safety, functionality and compliance across Museum facilities.
* Manage property-related contracts and service providers, ensuring high-quality performance, compliance with WHS and regulatory obligations, and alignment with value-for-money principles.
* Coordinate and maintain property asset registers and maintenance plans, ensuring systems and documentation support efficient scheduling, risk mitigation and continuity of services.
* Monitor utility usage, sustainability measures and essential services delivery, identifying opportunities for efficiency and aligning with environmental targets.
* Support accommodation planning and minor refurbishments, including space design, accessibility improvements and workplace fit-outs, in consultation with internal stakeholders.
* Ensure compliance with WHS, emergency management and maintenance regulations, including hazard reporting, contractor induction and site inspections.
* Contribute to the Museum’s strategic facilities and risk planning, including property input to the Business Continuity Plan, asset lifecycle planning and infrastructure readiness.
* Demonstrate a strong commitment to Work Health and Safety (WH&S) by actively supporting a positive safety culture, following the Museum’s WHS policies and procedures, and complying with reasonable instructions to ensure alignment with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for this vacancy, applicants must:
* be an Australian citizen
* undergo pre-employment checks, including a police record check
* hold or be eligible to hold a security clearance at the level specified in the position description.
The National Museum of Australia is an equal employment opportunity workplace. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for roles at the Museum.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under RecruitAbility you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under RecruitAbility; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position.
The Museum is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly environment. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for, these principles, in theory and practice.
Notes
To apply
Applicants must include a 2-page pitch addressing their suitability for the role against the essential and desirable Skills, experience and qualifications. Applicants must also provide a resume and contact details for 2 referees.
Visit https://www.nma.gov.au/about/employment and apply online.
Applications close at 11:59pm, Wednesday 20 May 2026.
Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. If you require, or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments, please contact the Contact Officer for this position.
Getting to know the National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia is recognised at home and around the world as the place where the story of Australia comes alive. The Museum is the only institution equipped to tell the complex and comprehensive story of Australia from 65,000 years ago to the present day. The story of Australia is a remarkable one, from the ancient and enduring histories of the world’s oldest living cultures to the achievements of modern Australia.
It is a story that is ever evolving and growing – and it is a story for a nation and for the world. Our vision and mission
* The Museum inspires, challenges and empowers people to find their voice and place in the world.
* We strive to build a just and equitable society that honours and respects the
First Nations peoples of this continent and all who have come after.
* We collect, document, research and make accessible heritage collections that represent the diversity of experience in Australia.
* We engage with audiences physically and digitally to promote learning, dialogue and debate about our past, present and future.
* We promote collaborative work across the breadth of artistic and creative practice to enhance the cultural life of our nation.
* We value and respect the commitment and contribution of all who participate in and contribute to the Museum’s community.
* The National Museum of Australia brings to life the rich and diverse stories of Australia through compelling objects, ideas and events.
For more information, visit the NMA website.