Manager, Heritage Centre

Royal Agricultural Society of NSW; City of Parramatta; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Novated lease

Free onsite parking

Employee assistance program

Staff discount

Exclusive employee membership program

Wellness programs

Staff engagement events

Job summary

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) is seeking a Manager, Heritage Centre to lead the Archives, Library and Museum and oversee the Heritage team. You will develop strategies for preservation, access and collection growth while ensuring governance and compliance across primary sources.

This role requires a structured leader who can build relationships with donors, researchers and internal stakeholders, plan exhibitions, manage budgets and report to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience in archives/collections management and heritage operations.
• Qualifications in History or Cultural Studies are highly regarded.
• Demonstrated ability to manage archival governance and access.
• Strong documentation and records management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Heritage Centre operations and staff within the Archives team.
• Oversee governance of archival collections, appraisal and access.
• Develop policies for preservation, storage and conservation.
• Plan and deliver exhibitions and displays for public access.
• Manage donor engagement, acquisitions and collection growth.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners.

Skills

Heritage management

Archives & collections

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Donor engagement

Documentation standards

Exhibition planning

Education

History degree

Cultural Studies

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Why work with us?

• Experience Australia’s largest annual ticketed event
• Dual Sales and Account Management Role
• Work Life balance and flexibility
• Salary packaging
• Salary protection insurance
• Novated Lease
• Free Onsite Parking
• A very generous Employee Assistance Program
• Sydney Royal Easter Show complimentary tickets and meals
• Staff draws to win tickets to Sydney Showground events
• Subsidised Superannuation life insurance premiums
• 15% Staff discount at onsite cafeStaff engagement events & Wellness programs
• Exclusive membership program for employees of Sydney Olympic Park

About the Role

Are you an experienced heritage, archives or collections professional who enjoys balancing strategy, stewardship and service? Do you thrive on leading a small specialist team, building strong relationships, and making collections accessible while ensuring long‑term preservation?

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) is seeking a capable and proactive Manager, Heritage Centre to lead the activities and administration of the RAS Archives, Library and Museum and manage the staff within the Heritage team.

Most well‑known for the annual Sydney Royal Easter Show, the RAS also delivers a wide range of educational, cultural and community programs across NSW.

In this role you will provide leadership and direction for the Heritage Centre, delivering the Heritage strategy and ensuring strong collection management practices are in place. You will oversee archival and collection governance (including appraisal, retention, access, storage and conservation programs), manage collection growth through acquisition and donor engagement, and establish policies, procedures, planning and budgeting to support the Heritage Centre’s long‑term goals.

You will also lead the planning and delivery of exhibitions and displays, work closely with internal stakeholders and committees, and liaise externally with donors, researchers, consultants and supporters to support RAS heritage initiatives.

About you

You are an organised and consultative leader with strong attention to detail and documentation standards, and you bring proven experience in archives/collections management and/or heritage operations. You are confident working with primary sources, implementing sound systems and processes, and providing high‑quality service to internal and external stakeholders.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Eligibility for professional membership to the Australian Society of Archivists (highly regarded).
• Qualifications in History, Cultural Studies or similar (highly regarded).
• Demonstrated experience in archival/collection management, research and analysis, and working with primary sources and records.
• Strong attention to detail and understanding of documentation and recordkeeping standards.
• Experience in exhibition planning and delivery (highly regarded).
• People leadership experience, including staff supervision, workload planning and performance conversations.
• Budget management capability, including monitoring expenditure and supporting annual budget/CAPEX processes.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills and confidence preparing reports/presentations for stakeholders.
• A mature, professional style with strong interpersonal skills, adaptability and initiative.
• Willingness to work with a degree of flexibility (some evening/weekend work may be required).