Deputy Registrar

National Museum of Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

National Museum of Australia in Canberra seeks a Photography Studio Manager to lead the Studio, deliver collection photography and imaging objectives across the organisation. You will oversee operations, mentor staff and coordinate workflows to ensure high-quality capture of cultural heritage objects for preservation and access.

Effective communication with internal and external stakeholders and contractors, staying abreast of imaging technologies, and aligning studio work with museum policies

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership capability in a studio setting.
• Experience photographing collections for preservation and access.
• Ability to supervise staff and coordinate imaging workflows.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations, maintenance and improvements to photography studio spaces.
• Lead a cohesive team with training and mentorship.
• Undertake collection, object and event photography with the team.
• Maintain technical standards and imaging environment to meet museum needs.
• Scope work with managers and set team priorities.
• Keep up with technology advancements and sector relationships.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Museum to meet evolving imaging needs.

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Photography

Studio management

Job description

The Museum is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Photography Studio Manager to join the Registration and Conservation Business Unit. This position will play a key role in delivering the Museum’s photography and collection capture objectives. Leading the Studio, you will undertake collection photography alongside the team.

To be successful in this role you will have strong leadership capability and demonstrated skills and experience in photographing collections. You will bring a deep understanding of the role of collection capture and imaging within a cultural organisation for preservation and access. Leading and coordinating the work of the Studio, you will have experience in the logistical requirements to support the capture of cultural heritage objects, together with a collaborative approach. You will also have experience supervising and managing staff in a technology driven environment, where change is constant and adaptation, new workflows and delivery to described standards are all part of the role.

This position will also support photography of Museum events and activities, providing important documentation that activates the Museum’s collections and engage audiences through a variety of Museum channels.

You will communicate effectively and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including with contracted suppliers, to build productive relationships and deliver agreed outcomes within timeframes. You will be interested in extending the team’s imaging capabilities as the NMA and technologies evolve – experience and/or knowledge of new imaging technologies and approaches as applied to museum collections is desirable.

Key accountabilities

• Oversee and manage operations, maintenance and improvements to photography studio spaces and environments.
• Lead an effective team with a cohesive and supportive culture, supervising daily operations and building team capacity through training and mentorship.
• Undertake collection, object and event photography alongside the team.
• Ensure the team maintains the technical standards and environment needed to meet the needs of the Museum and the public.
• Work with managers to scope work and set team priorities, ensuring identified objectives are met.
• Keep current with technology advancements and build sector relationships.
• Maintain collaborative and effective relationships with colleagues across the business unit and the wider Museum, so the team can meet the evolving imaging needs of the Museum’s collections and activities.
• Ensure the studio is managed and objects are imaged in accordance with collection management and care practices and with relevant NMA policies and guidelines.

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.

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.

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.