Manager, Security Operations
Join us at the Australian Museum and help us achieve our Mission to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change
Job closing date: 10:00AM, Wednesday 25 March 2026
About the Role
Step into a key managerial role at the Australian Museum, where you’ll help safeguard one of the nation’s most iconic cultural institutions. As Manager Security Operations, you’ll lead the delivery of security and emergency management across the Museum’s dynamic, high-profile site -ensuring a safe, welcoming environment for staff, visitors, partners and the broader community.
This is a role with real impact. You’ll drive the implementation of operational security strategies, plans and protocols that support everything from daily operations to major events. Working across infrastructure, people, public programs and partnerships, you’ll bring a proactive, solutions-focused approach to risk management - balancing safety, service and the unique needs of a world-class museum environment.
Reporting to the Head of Security, you’ll provide both operational leadership and strategic insight, contributing to continuous improvement and organisational resilience. The role is primarily Monday to Friday during core business hours, with flexibility required for evenings and weekends to support events and special activities.
Employment Status:
* Grade Clerk 9/10
* Fixed-term, up to 3 years
* Full-time, 35 hours per week
You will be paid a competitive total remuneration package of $146,941 - $161,924, including an annual salary of $129,464 - $142,665, plus employer’s contribution to superannuation (currently 12%) and annual leave loading.
Click on the following links to begin the journey to find your new career at the AM
* Role Description
* AM Candidate Pack
About you
We are seeking an ethical and honest leader with a genuine passion for security excellence. You are driven, hands-on and strategic, equally comfortable implementing process improvements as you are in developing long-term operational vision. You are process-driven and innovative, bringing fresh thinking to enhance security operations while maintaining rigorous standards and compliance with regulations. Your integrity and commitment to excellence will set the tone for the Security team and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and best practice.
You’re a confident and capable security professional who thrives in complex, high-visibility environments. Calm under pressure and decisive when it counts, you bring strong operational leadership experience and a proactive approach to risk, safety and emergency management. You have a solid track record implementing security strategies, policies and procedures that protect people, assets and reputation- without compromising on service or experience. You’re equally comfortable on the ground leading teams and at the table contributing to strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
A natural communicator, you build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups -from frontline staff and contractors to executive leaders and external partners. You lead with integrity, sound judgement and a solutions-focused mindset, and you’re motivated by the responsibility of keeping a vibrant public institution safe, secure and resilient. If you’re looking to take on higher-grade duties and make a meaningful impact within a major cultural institution, we’d love to hear from you.
Key knowledge and experience
* Minimum 10 years operational security experience in control room supervision, emergency management, and risk assessments across public venues, including large-scale events and VIP protection.
* Technical expertise in electronic security systems, fire detection, CCTV, advanced alarm technologies, and emergency management systems aligned with museum standards and NSW Security Industry Act 1997 requirements.
* Team leadership and training delivery including planning and supporting security and operational stakeholder training programs, with demonstrated ability to develop and lead security management teams.
* Operational procedures and documentation including incident reporting, investigation, intelligence analysis, procedure writing, and policy development for security operations.
* Security services management with proven skills in contract management, crowd management coordination, and resource planning for exhibitions, events, and emergency response situations.
* Cert IV in Security and Risk Management and Cert IV Training and Assessment (desirable); strong business writing skills and negotiation capabilities.
Essential requirements
* Possession of relevant security licences for NSW including 1AE, capable of achieving 2ABCD.
* A satisfactory Working with Children Check (WWCC).
* Flexibility and willingness to work irregular hours in support of 24/7 evolving security and crisis events.
About The Australian Museum
The Australian Museum is truly a great place to work. We aim to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; be a strong advocate for First Nations’ culture; and continue to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs.
Recent staff survey results confirm that our staff feel valued, accepted and supported and that they believe the AM is an inclusive workplace. AM staff also report a high level of job satisfaction.
The AM is located on the homelands of the Gadigal people and acknowledges and pays respect to the Gadigal people as the custodians of the land, sky and waterways, paying respect to Elders past and present.
Check out our current exhibitions and events here.
Benefits
Besides working together with other like-minded people, you will have access to professional development and dedicated Wellbeing programs.
How to apply
Applicants must submit (if submitted as attachment, please upload as PDF):
* A one to two page covering letter which addresses the role description’s essential requirements, key knowledge and experience.
* Resume
As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to answer two targeted questions.
* The Australian Museum faces the unique challenge of protecting irreplaceable cultural and scientific collections while maintaining welcoming public access and supporting diverse programs including after-hours events, school groups, and special exhibitions. Describe a situation where you've had to balance security requirements with operational accessibility. How did you assess the risks, engage stakeholders, and what security protocols or innovations did you implement to achieve both objectives?(300 words maximum)
* As Manager, Security Operations, you'llbe responsible for setting standards and building a high-performing security team within a major cultural institution. Tell us about a time when you identified gaps in security operations or team performance. What was your approach to diagnosing the issues, implementing improvements, and measuring success? How did you ensure your team maintained compliance while embracing the changes?(300 words maximum)
For more details, Frequently Asked Questions and how to apply for the role go to I Work for NSW.
The successful applicant will be subject to national criminal records check. As recommended by Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the Australian Museum encourages all applicants who can be safely vaccinated for COVID-19, to be so.
Contact person: Michael Grant-Cook, Head of Security,
Inclusive and welcoming
The Australian Museum is an NSW Public Service organisation and aims to attract and retain the right people for the right jobs. The AM is a diverse and inclusive workplace where genuine participation and contribution is enabled, and everyone, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances is valued, accepted and supported to thrive at work.
This means that we are embedding diversity and inclusion in everything we do on a daily basis, whether it be our recruitment processes, workplace culture, career development programs, customer service or policies and procedures. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment process to better enable you to shine, please reach out to the contact person or note this in your application.