Director, Natural History & Collections Innovation

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 154,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite Kindergarten

Subsidised parking

Cafe and store discounts

Free entry to paid exhibitions

Job summary

Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington is seeking a strategic Head of Curatorial and Collections - Natural History (Permanent, Full-time) to shape the direction of our natural history collections and research. You will lead a diverse team of curators, researchers and collection professionals to advance exhibitions, interpretation and public engagement.

You will collaborate with iwi, hapū and partners to uphold te taonga responsibilities, embrace Mana Taonga, and drive innovative, collaborative work

Qualifications

• Experience leading a team of curators, researchers and collection professionals.
• Ability to translate organisational strategy into clear priorities for a diverse expert team.
• Demonstrated leadership in natural history, te taiao, science or closely related environments.
• Strong relationship-building with iwi, hapū, universities, government agencies and communities.

Responsibilities

• Set and implement the strategic direction for Natural History at Te Papa.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of curators, researchers and collection professionals.
• Embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities and Mana Taonga in strategy and practice.
• Foster innovation in curatorial practice and enhance interpretation, research and public sharing of collections.
• Ensure collections, research and knowledge contribute to exhibitions, experiences and public engagement.
• Build partnerships to strengthen access to mātauranga and cultural heritage.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Collaboration

People management

Exhibitions ownership

Bicultural capability

Education

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington is seeking a strategic Head of Curatorial and Collections - Natural History (Permanent, Full-time) to shape the direction of our natural history collections and research. You will lead a diverse team of curators, researchers and collection professionals to advance exhibitions, interpretation and public engagement.

You will collaborate with iwi, hapū and partners to uphold te taonga responsibilities, embrace Mana Taonga, and drive innovative, collaborative work