Manager

Museums Aotearoa; Cambridge; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge Museum in New Zealand seeks a curious, creative Museum Manager to lead its next chapter. This role combines collections care, exhibitions, research, education, partnerships and community engagement in a small, community-focused setting.

You will lead a small team, work with volunteers and partner organisations, and shape strategies to connect local histories with diverse audiences now and into the future.

Qualifications

• Experience in museums, heritage, collections, archives, education or a related community organisation.
• Understanding of collections care, documentation, research and ethical museum practice.
• Strong organisational and project management skills with ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Confidence supporting staff and volunteers and working with governance committees.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee collections care, documentation, cataloguing, storage, research and public access.
• Maintain standards of collections management, accessioning, loans, conservation and digital preservation.
• Support digitisation and improvements to collections information and accessibility.
• Develop and deliver engaging exhibitions, interpretation, talks and learning programmes.
• Research and communicate local histories accurately and accessibly.
• Work with mana whenua and community contributors to ensure representation of histories and cultural knowledge.
• Build and sustain relationships with mana whenua, schools, heritage organisations and researchers.
• Develop opportunities for community participation and public programmes.
• Lead, support and coordinate staff and volunteers, encourage teamwork and a welcoming workplace.
• Oversee visitor services, facilities, health and safety, and communications.
• Deliver strategic priorities, budgets and work programmes; identify grants and sponsorships.

Skills

Museum management

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Digital literacy

Education

Tertiary qualification in museum studies or related field

Tools

Vernon CMS

Job description

CambridgeMuseum is looking for a curious, creative and community-minded Museum Manager to lead the next chapter of our story.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a well-established community museum, combining professional collections practice with exhibitions, research, education, partnerships and community engagement.

We are seeking someone who enjoys the variety of working in a small museum, can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery, and understands the importance of connecting collections with the people and communities whose histories they represent.

About Cambridge Museum

Owned and operated by the Cambridge Historical Society, CambridgeMuseum collects, preserves, researches and shares the histories of Cambridge and its surrounding district.

Our collections include photographs, archives, objects, oral histories and taonga that reflect the people, places and events that have shaped our community.

The Museum is supported by a committed team of staff and volunteers and enjoys strong connections with local schools, researchers, community organisations and heritage partners.

We recognise the enduring relationship of mana whenua with this rohe and are committed to building respectful, reciprocal relationships that inform how histories and taonga are cared for, interpreted and shared.

We are an active community museum with ambitions to strengthen collections care, improve digital access, develop engaging exhibitions and programmes, and encourage greater participation in local heritage.

About The Role

Reporting to the Cambridge Historical Society Committee, the Museum Manager provides leadership for the Museum's daily operations and contributes to its future direction.

The position combines collections management, curatorial practice, public engagement, people leadership and organisational development.

You will lead a small staff team, including a part-time administrator, collections audit officer and weekend hosts, while working alongside dedicated volunteers and community partners.

The role offers considerable variety and the opportunity to influence how a community museum operates, develops its collections and connects with changing audiences.

Key Responsibilities

Collections, archives and research:

• Oversee collections care, documentation, cataloguing, storage, research and responsible public access.
• Maintain appropriate standards of collections management, including accessioning, loans, preventive conservation and digital preservation.
• Support digitisation and improvements to collections information and accessibility.

Exhibitions, Interpretation And Learning

• Develop and deliver engaging exhibitions, interpretation, talks and learning programme.
• Research and communicate local histories accurately, creatively and accessibly.
• Work with mana whenua and community contributors to ensure appropriate representation of their histories and cultural knowledge.

Relationships And Community Engagement

• Build and sustain respectful relationships with mana whenua, recognising cultural authority and the importance of early, meaningful engagement.
• Strengthen partnerships with schools, heritage organisations, researchers, supporters and the wider community.
• Develop opportunities for community participation, audience engagement and public programmes.

People And Operations

• Lead, support and coordinate staff and volunteers, encouraging teamwork, professional development and a welcoming workplace.
• Oversee visitor services, facilities, operational procedures and health and safety.
• Maintain effective communications and contribute to the Museum's public profile.

Planning And Sustainability

• Work with the Committee to deliver agreed strategic priorities, budgets and work programmes.
• Identify grant, sponsorship, fundraising and partnership opportunities.
• Provide clear reporting, manage resources responsibly and recommend practical improvements to systems and operations.

About you:

• Relevant experience in museums, heritage, collections, archives, education or a related cultural or community organisation.
• An understanding of collections care, documentation, research and ethical museum practice.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Confidence supporting staff and volunteers and working constructively with a governance committee.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Digital confidence and an interest in making collections and histories more accessible.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally respectful practice, including meaningful engagement with mana whenua.
• Experience using Vernon or another collections management system, developing exhibitions, delivering public programmes, managing budgets or securing external funding would be advantageous.
• A relevant tertiary qualification is desirable, although equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• We recognise that candidates may bring different combinations of skills and experience. We do not expect one person to have done everything.

Why join us?

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who values the role of regional and community museums in preserving heritage, sharing knowledge and strengthening connections between people and place.

You will have the opportunity to contribute across many aspects of museum practice, work with knowledgeable and committed colleagues, and help shape the Museum's priorities for the years ahead.

If you are practical, curious and motivated by making local heritage relevant to contemporary audiences, we would welcome your application.