Location Profile
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is a statutory body established under the repealed Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority Act 2000 which continues to operate under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (the Act).
The VCAA oversees the delivery of, and conducts assessment for the VCE, including assessments of students undertaking accredited senior secondary courses.
About the Unit
This role is located within the Communications Unit in the Corporate Services Division. The Communications Unit consists of:
* General enquiry service and the Post-Results and ATAR Service (PRAS)
* Strategic communications, including internal Communications, responsible for planning and implementing external and internal communications strategies
* Publishing, responsible for content development, editing, design, desktop publishing, printing and distribution of content via the VCAA's print and digital channels
* Digital communications, responsible for the planning and technical development and maintenance of the VCAA's corporate website and intranet
* Festival and Events, responsible for the development and delivery of VCE Season of Excellence Festival showcasing exemplary work by VCE students undertaking design, fine art, media, performing arts and extended investigation studies. The team is also responsible for managing events such as the VCE Leadership Awards and Plain English Speaking Awards, and lead or support other external and internal events where required
About the Area
The Season of Excellence festival comprises Top Talks at State Library Victoria, two exhibitions (Top Arts at the NGV and Top Designs at Melbourne Museum), Top Class performances and concerts at the Melbourne Recital Centre and other regional venues, Top Screen short film screenings at ACMI, and a literary publication for Top Scribe.
Role Purpose
An exciting opportunity exists to join the Corporate Services Division in the Communications Unit for a fixed term full-time position.
* Salary: $95,101.96- $107,904.86 (Plus Superannuation of 12%)
* Fixed term till 30/05/2026
* Usual hours of work: Full time
* Usual work location: 200 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne
The purpose of the Top Designs Exhibition Lead role is to curate, manage and co-ordinate logistical considerations for Top Designs, a temporary, annual exhibition staged at the Melbourne Museum. The role supervises an Assistant Curator, and a flexible and collaborative approach is employed across all tasks involved in the preparation and installation of the exhibition. Accountabilities include:
* Facilitating selection panels for the shortlisting and final selection of works for the exhibition.
* Liaising with Exhibition and Graphic Designers to present a high quality and dynamic exhibit.
* Leading a team of VCAA and Museum staff on site as the curator during exhibition installation.
* Identifying alumni and current exhibitors from the exhibition to be involved in various activities, including marketing opportunities, story ideas and as guest speakers for associated educational resources.
* Project manage and coordinate the production of printed and digital exhibition assets.
* Assistance with exhibition and folio preparation.
* Assistance with object handling, object logistics and
* Ensuring Top Designs maintains a high accessibility standard.
* Support the planning and installation of the Top Screen folio viewing exhibition.
Role Responsibilities
Expert advice and support
* Arrange, curate and assist with all aspects of the preparation of Top Designs - a major event within the VCAA Season of Excellence
* Liaison with Exhibition Designer, Museum Exhibition Project Manager and other contractors and staff to complete installation of the exhibition and provide oversight of curatorial aspects of the installation.
* Ensure that Top Designs offers a broad range of work from a range of schools, locations and people which highlight the extraordinary outcomes possible within the Victorian curriculum.
Support stakeholder and strategic communications and activities
* Support development of content and copy for marketing and communications activities promoting Top Designs
* Provide advice regarding communication strategies to target audiences and provide guidance in the development of marketing materials for Top Designs
* Liaise with strategic communications and marketing teams to determine timelines for campaigns.
Production of exhibition collateral
* Coordinate and oversee production activities for printed material including editing, providing content consisting of both images and text and proofing drafts of the Top Designs online presence, signage, invitations, digital exhibition content and any other related material.
* Provide writing and editing support for outbound communication including all promotional materials, and website content.
* Prepare written materials for exhibition, as required.
* Manage the development and production of student interview films for inclusion in the exhibition including liaison with the videographer, scheduling students, support with filming, reviewing the rough cut, approving final cut of content.
Project planning
* Communicate project plans to relevant stakeholders and build capability and understanding
* Identify and document project risks, quality standards and tolerances
* Schedule using project management software, identifying project collaborators, project activities and milestones
* Report on, monitor and control project plans
Stakeholder engagement
* Influence and negotiate with stakeholders to contribute to the achievement of common goals
* Manage relationships with and between program or project stakeholders
* Liaise with Melbourne Museum staff regarding education programs, installation schedules, launch requirements where required
* Coordinate schedules and activities with external contractors engaged to provide project-specific deliverables
* Ensure that all participants, their teachers and schools are kept informed and engaged with the project
Capabilities
Specialist Expertise
* Curatorial experience in a public gallery
* Experience in physically installing exhibitions, including effective liaison with exhibition designers, technical and gallery staff and exhibitors
* Experience in the development and delivery of public programs in galleries and/or museums (includes understanding of museum and/or gallery practices and principles)
* Proven ability to conduct original research in relation to curating innovative exhibitions and programs
* Ability to provide advice and mentoring opportunities to exhibiting artists
* Experience documenting a collection, including selection of images of works, editing Exhibitor's Statements, and preparation and editing of text
Written Communication
* Ensures written communications contain necessary information to achieve their purpose
* Prepares briefs, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language
* Uses appropriate style and formats
Stakeholder Management
* Constructively deals with stakeholder issues
* Links people with other areas (as appropriate)
* Monitors client and stakeholder satisfaction
* Takes concrete steps to add value for the stakeholder
Problem Solving
* Analyses issues from different perspectives and draws sound inferences from information available
* Identifies and proposes workable solutions to problems
* Investigates and probes for the facts
* Liaises with stakeholders
* Seeks all relevant information for problem-solving
Planning and Organising
* High level attention to detail, ability to prioritise workloads and ability to meet competing deadlines within tight timeframes
* Develops and implements systems and procedures to guide work and track progress
* Identifies more and less critical activities and operates accordingly, reviewing and adjusting as required
* Identifies processes, tasks and resources required to achieve a goal
* Recognises barriers and finds effective ways to deal with them
Key Selection Criteria
* Criteria 1 : 'Victorian Public Sector Values' as detailed in Organisational Values section above
* Criteria 2 : 'Specialist Expertise¿ as detailed in the Required Capabilities section above
* Criteria 3 : 'Planning and Organising' as detailed in the Required Capabilities section above
* Criteria 4 : 'Stakeholder Management' as detailed in the Required Capabilities section above
* Criteria 5 : 'Written Communication' as detailed in the Required Capabilities section above
* Criteria 6 : 'Problem Solving' as detailed in the Required Capabilities section above
Conditions of Appointment
* All staff employed by the VCAA have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
* Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
* A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
* Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the VCAA's Human Resources website at Letter of Offer of Employment - Terms and Conditions
Selection Information
We are looking for individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
For further information pertaining to the role, please
Applicants are encouraged to include a Curriculum Vitae and a Cover letter addressing the key selection criteria provided in the advertisement.
Kindly upload all required documents in a single file, ensuring the file name is short and contains no special characters.
Organisational Values
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
We are committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the VCAA. The VCAA recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all our workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability. Workplace adjustment guidelines
Child Safe Standards
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
Oher Information
* The incumbent must declare any close relations and associations with a student or teacher (spouse/partner, sibling, child, grandchild, niece/nephew) either teaching the study or enrolled as a VCE and/or VET student in 2025.
* The incumbent must not have accepted a voluntary resignation or career transition package, e.g. Voluntary Departure Package (VDP), Voluntary Separation Package (VSP), Resignation Incentive Scheme (RIS) from a Victorian Government agency or department within the last three years.
* The incumbent can expect to be allocated duties, not specifically mentioned in this document, but within the capacity, qualifications and experience normally expected from persons occupying positions at this level. The incumbent will be based at a primary location of work at the VCAA Assessment Centre, Coburg, with opportunities to work remotely.
* The incumbent shall carry out duties in accordance with legislation and governance requirements, policies and procedures, safety principles, code of conduct for Victorian public sector employees, and Victorian Public Sector Values
* All employees of the VCAA are required to have a current and satisfactory DE NCHRC, WWC or current VIT registration before they commence working with the VCAA.
* Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the VCAA.