Senior Exhibitions Coordinator

This position is being offered on a non-ongoing basis until end of May 2025 with the possibility of extension.

The Senior Exhibitions Coordinator plays a key role in the development and delivery of the National Portrait Gallery’s travelling exhibition program and onsite exhibitions and collection displays. The role reports to the Head of Exhibitions and supervises the Exhibitions Coordinator. The position requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills and is required to act with a good degree of autonomy.
 

The key duties of the position include:
Specific Tasks

1. Project manage the delivery of onsite exhibitions including preparation and delivery of exhibition plans, schedules, resourcing, budgets, risk management, evaluation, meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions to facilitate effective and timely exhibition program delivery.
2. Develop and coordinate the travelling exhibition program, including sourcing new venues, developing the itinerary, managing the packing, transportation, condition reporting, installation and demount. Contribute to venue promotion and public program activities.
3. Manage the application, expenditure of and acquittal for relevant grants associated with funding the travelling exhibition program.
4. Develop effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders including Gallery staff, artists and their representatives, staff from other venues, external specialists and contractors regarding aspects of the delivery of the exhibitions program, working towards timely and coordinated program delivery.
5. Support the Gallery’s Curatorial, Design and Registration teams with the installation of exhibitions.
6. Participate in matrix-team delivery of exhibitions, projects and events throughout the Gallery and actively support best practice WHS and inclusive work practices.

Eligibility
Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated knowledge and application of museum practices and procedures, and experience in the delivery of exhibitions in a gallery or museum.
2. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team to creatively solve problems and work with a high degree of flexibility.
3. Excellent communication (written and oral), presentation and interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise with others on sensitive issues.
4. Highly developed organisational and project management skills, including working with initiative to manage multiple projects, set priorities, meet deadlines and work to a budget.
5. Considerable experience in the safe and effective handling, packing, transportation, installation and display of works of art and a detailed knowledge of appropriate museum standards as apply to a variety of media, including a good understanding of the roles of conservation, registration, exhibition and graphic design staff.
6. Current driver’s licence and ability to travel as required and perform physical duties as required for exhibition installations and deinstallations.

Notes
 
In no more than two A4 pages, please tell us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for this job.
 
Getting to know the National Portrait Gallery of Australia

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Canberra region, upon whose lands the National Portrait Gallery stands. The National Portrait Gallery reflects the face of Australia and increases understanding and appreciation of Australian people and their stories through the art of portraiture. Guided by our values of creativity, innovation, inclusivity and integrity, our purpose is to develop a national portrait collection and provide the broadest possible access to all Australians. We do this through presenting engaging exhibitions and live and educational programs onsite in our award-winning building in Canberra, offsite across Australia, and on demand. The Gallery is a dynamic and inclusive workplace and recognises the great contribution of our team. We’re committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our team and our visitors, and to sustaining a safe workplace and inclusive culture. We support flexible working practices, including working from home, and respect family and caring responsibilities. The Gallery is committed to equal opportunity and diversity. We welcome applications from First Nations people, LGBTQIA+ people, people with a disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.