Executive Director

Regional Arts Victoria; Greater Shepparton; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) invites applications for an experienced Executive Director to join the leadership team in shaping SAM’s next chapter. Based in Shepparton, this five-year full-time appointment combines strategic governance with artistic leadership, driving financial sustainability, fundraising and partnerships.

The role reports to the Board and works with the Artistic Director to advance SAM’s regional cultural leadership, community engagement and long-term impact.

Qualifications

• Significant senior executive leadership experience.
• Strategic planning, organisational development and financial stewardship.
• Proven fundraising, philanthropy and partnership experience.
• Experience working with Boards and governance structures.
• Ability to lead a dual executive leadership model with an Artistic Director.
• Strong people leadership, inclusivity and high-performance culture.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation and advocacy.
• Commitment to First Nations engagement and community responsibilities.
• Strategic thinking, judgment and change management skills.
• High integrity, professionalism and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership of SAM’s strategic and organisational priorities with the Artistic Director.
• Support the Board with governance, reporting, performance and risk oversight.
• Oversee financial management, budgeting, and long-term sustainability.
• Lead public funding, philanthropy, fundraising and partnerships.
• Build senior relationships across government, philanthropy, business and community.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture via the Senior Leadership Team.
• Represent SAM in government, sector networks and industry forums.
• Engage respectfully with Yorta Yorta people and First Nations organisations.
• Oversee operations, visitor experience, facilities and technology.
• Shape marketing, communications and public profile for SAM.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Governance & risk

Financial management

Fundraising & philanthropy

Stakeholder engagement

Public funding knowledge

Change management

People leadership

Collaboration with Artistic Director

Job description

Lead SAM’s next chapter, driving strategic leadership, financial sustainability, public funding, philanthropy and partnerships.

Shepparton Art Museum acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional custodians of the Shepparton region on whose lands SAM is located, the Yorta Yorta peoples and their Elders past, present, and emerging.

About SAM

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is one of Australia’s outstanding regional art museums, showcasing exhibitions and collections in new and exciting ways and creating a welcoming, inclusive and engaging space for all audiences.

Located in the heart of Shepparton, SAM is an ambitious and evolving cultural organisation with a strong commitment to artistic excellence, community connection and regional cultural leadership.

SAM is a place for artists, audiences and communities to connect, engage and explore ideas. We are committed to creating meaningful cultural experiences and contributing to a vibrant and connected region.

The Opportunity

SAM is seeking an experienced and inspiring Executive Director to join the organisation’s executive leadership and help shape the next chapter of this significant regional cultural organisation.

This is a full-time, five-year fixed-term appointment, based at SAM in Shepparton.

The Executive Director and Artistic Director are SAM’s two executive heads, both reporting directly to the Board. Working as complementary leaders, the Executive Director provides leadership across organisational, business and operational matters, while the Artistic Director leads artistic and curatorial direction. Together, they share responsibility for SAM’s overall strategy, organisational direction, culture and success.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced organisational leader to work alongside an artistic leader in a genuinely collaborative executive model, combining artistic ambition with strong organisational foundations and long-term sustainability.

A key focus of the role will be public funding, philanthropy, fundraising and strategic partnerships, ensuring SAM continues to build sustainable sources of support and strengthen its impact, profile and contribution to the region.

The Executive Director will provide strategic oversight across governance, financial sustainability, people and culture, commercial operations, facilities, risk, compliance, technology and stakeholder relations, while being a highly visible advocate for SAM within the region and broader arts and cultural sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and oversight of SAM’s strategic and organisational priorities, working collaboratively with the Artistic Director and Senior Leadership Team
• Support the Board through effective governance, strategic reporting, organisational performance and risk oversight
• Provide executive oversight of financial management, budgeting, financial performance and long-term organisational sustainability
• Lead public funding, philanthropic development, fundraising and strategic partnership opportunities
• Build and maintain senior relationships across government, philanthropy, business, community and cultural sectors
• Lead and foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture through the Senior Leadership Team
• Provide senior representation and advocacy for SAM across relevant government, sector, community and industry networks
• Support meaningful and respectful engagement with Yorta Yorta people, Traditional Owners and First Nations organisations
• Provide executive oversight of commercial operations, visitor experience and income-generating activities
• Provide strategic oversight of SAM’s facilities, infrastructure, assets and precinct development
• Ensure effective organisation-wide frameworks for risk, legal compliance and workplace health and safety
• Provide strategic oversight of technology, information systems, data and cyber security
• Provide executive oversight of marketing, communications, audience development and SAM’s public profile
• Ensure appropriate organisational systems, resources and accountability are in place to support effective day-to-day operations
• Identify opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement, organisational development and sustainable growth

About You

We are looking for a strategic, collaborative and values-driven leader who is excited by the opportunity to contribute to the future of a leading regional arts organisation.

You will bring:

• Significant senior executive or organisational leadership experience
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, organisational development, financial management and organisational sustainability
• Proven experience in public funding, philanthropy, fundraising, corporate partnerships and/or strategic revenue development
• Experience working effectively with Boards and governance structures
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively within a collaborative dual executive leadership model, building a strong and productive partnership with an Artistic Director while maintaining clear organisational accountability
• Strong people leadership skills and experience building positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational cultures
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, negotiation and advocacy skills
• Experience developing relationships with government, business, philanthropy, community and cultural organisations
• An understanding of and commitment to the arts and cultural sector, with relevant sector networks highly regarded
• Experience in risk management, compliance, workplace health and safety and organisational operations
• An understanding of and commitment to respectful First Nations engagement and community responsibility
• Strong strategic thinking, sound judgement and the ability to manage complexity, competing priorities and organisational change
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, accountability and emotional intelligence
• Excellent written, verbal and public communication skills
• Position:Executive Director
• Employment:Full-time, Fixed Term
• Location:Shepparton, Victoria
• Hours:38 hours per week
• Work environment:The position is based at SAM, with flexibility required to attend meetings, events, openings and stakeholder activities outside standard business hours from time to time
• Salary:An attractive remuneration package will be offered, reflecting the responsibilities of the role and the experience and skills of the successful candidate

Recruitment Process

The recruitment process is designed to provide candidates with an opportunity to learn more about SAM, meet key people within the organisation and demonstrate their experience, leadership approach and alignment with SAM’s values.

The process is anticipated to include:

1. Application and shortlistingApplications will be reviewed against the requirements of the position, with suitable candidates progressing to the next stage.

2. Initial screening conversationShortlisted candidates will participate in a preliminary conversation to discuss their experience, interest in the role, availability and key employment details, and to provide further information about the position and SAM.

3. First interviewCandidates will participate in an initial interview with the interview panel, focusing on their experience, leadership capability, knowledge, values and alignment with SAM. This interview may be conducted via Teams.

4. Second interview and assessmentCandidates progressing to the next stage may be invited to complete an assessment task and present their response to the interview panel, followed by questions and discussion.

5. Final meetingThe preferred candidates may be invited to a final, more informal conversation with senior representatives of SAM. This provides an opportunity for both the candidate and SAM to further explore the fit, values and expectations of the role.

6. Background and reference checksThe preferred candidate will be required to undergo appropriate pre-employment checks, which may include professional reference checks and a Police Check.

7. Offer of appointmentFollowing satisfactory completion of the recruitment and pre-employment process, an offer of appointment will be made to the preferred candidate.

For further information about the role, please contact Vikki Southey from OurHR at [e-mail]

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and flexible workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from diverse cultures and people with a disability.

SAM is committed to providing a positive and inclusive recruitment experience and can make reasonable adjustments to support candidates throughout the recruitment process.