Head Of Curatorial And Collections - Natural History

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

Head of Curatorial and Collections - Natural History (Permanent - Full-time) Te Papa is Aotearoa New Zealand's national museum and a world-leading cross-disciplinary institution. Our work is grounded in our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the philosophy of Mana Taonga, ensuring communities are actively involved in the care, development, research and interpretation of collections. We're looking for an experienced leader to set the strategic direction for Natural History at Te Papa and lead a talented team of curators, researchers and collection professionals.

This is a significant opportunity to shape how Te Papa's natural history collections, research and expertise contribute to our understanding of the natural environment of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific, help address the challenges it faces and connect Te Papa's Natural History collections with communities and audiences. The role will also provide Natural History leadership for Te Papa's new Biodiversity Research Centre, helping shape new ways of working and creating opportunities for research, collections access, collaboration and public value.

• set and implement the strategic direction for the development of our Natural history collections and research.
• lead and develop a high-performing team of curators, researchers and collection professionals.
• embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities and Mana Taonga in Natural History strategy, practice, relationships and decision-making.
• foster innovation and excellence in curatorial practice, supporting new ways of interpreting, researching and sharing collections with communities and audiences.
• ensure Natural History collections, research, knowledge and expertise contribute strongly to Te Papa's exhibitions, experiences, digital channels and public engagement.
• work closely with iwi, hapū, source communities and Māori partners to uphold responsibilities to taonga and strengthen access to mātauranga and cultural heritage.
• build strategic partnerships and networks that strengthen collections, research, knowledge, capability, funding and public value.
• provide Natural History leadership for Te Papa's new Biodiversity Research Centre, helping shape new ways of working and creating opportunities for research, collections access, collaboration and public value.
• identify and manage strategic, operational and emerging risks, ensuring appropriate oversight, mitigation and escalation.
• contribute as a senior leader to the direction and priorities of the Collections, Knowledge and Communities directorate and Te Papa more broadly.

Who we're looking for

We're looking for a strategic and collaborative leader with experience in natural history, te taiao, science, research, collections, museums or a closely related environment. You will understand the opportunities that come from bringing together collections, research and specialist expertise, and be able to translate organisational strategy and changes in the external environment into clear priorities for a diverse team of experts. You must also be:

• an experienced and supportive people leader, able to lead, develop and empower teams of subject matter experts.
• a strategic thinker who can establish direction, make clear choices and translate strategy into achievable priorities and plans.
• experienced in collections-based research, development, stewardship or access with an understanding of the standards, ethics and infrastructure that support this work.
• confident working collaboratively across organisational boundaries.
• an excellent relationship builder, able to develop trusted partnerships with iwi and hapū, research organisations, universities, government agencies, museums, communities and other partners.
• able to provide credible professional leadership and influence within the museum, natural history, research or science sectors.
• experienced in managing resources, competing priorities, change and risk in a complex environment.
• confident in exercising business ownership of exhibitions and products.
• committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Mana Taonga and strengthening bicultural practice in the way teams, collections, research and relationships are led.
• Knowledge of te reo and tikanga Māori is also an advantage, together with experience developing cultural capability in others.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification is desirable.

What we offer

• A supportive, values-driven team environment
• A workplace committed to Te Tiriti
• Comprehensive benefits including onsite Kindergarten, subsidised parking, café and store discounts, and free entry to paid exhibitions

Other Information

This is a full-time permanent position, 40 hours per week, based at Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable Street, Wellington. For more details, please refer to the Position Description. Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand. Pre-employment checks will be undertaken. The starting salary will be between $154,343- $183,282 based on skills, experience and internal relativities.