Public Programmes Specialist

Auckland Museum; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing programme

Boost app

Staff social club

Life insurance

Health insurance discount

Museum membership

Staff discounts

Onsite parking discount

Rainbow tick accreditation

Job summary

Auckland Museum is seeking an experienced Public Programmes Specialist to join our Audience Engagement Directorate. You will develop, deliver and evaluate engaging public programmes that connect diverse audiences with exhibitions, taonga, stories and contemporary ideas.

You will manage onsite, offsite and online experiences, contribute to major events and activations, build partnerships with communities and artists, and ensure programmes are delivered on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Hands-on public programming and producorial experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects within budget and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Develop, deliver and evaluate innovative public programmes across onsite, offsite and online experiences.
• Collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and communities.
• Deliver major events, festivals, talks and whānau programming on time and within budget.
• Build trusted relationships across community and professional networks.

Skills

Public programmes

Relationship management

Community engagement

Communication skills

Job description

Auckland War Memorial Museum: Connecting through sharing stories of people, lands and seas

Auckland Museum is a much-loved culture and heritage organisation at the heart of Auckland's identity, committed to outstanding management of its world-class collections,developing and sharing engaging content through its galleries, exhibition, events, educational programmes and the permanent and volunteer staff who tell the Museum's stories. We are Auckland's home of commemoration as well as the country’s oldest research institution and a major tourist destination.

Mō tetūranga| About the role

We areseeking an experienced and creative Public Programmes Specialist to join our Public Programmes team within our Audience Engagement Directorate.

In this role, you will develop, deliver and evaluate innovative public programmes that connect diverse audiences with Auckland Museum's exhibitions, collections, taonga, stories and contemporary ideas. Working across a diverse portfolio of onsite, offsite and online experiences, you'll contribute to everything from major ticketed events and festivals to community-led activations, cultural celebrations, talks, performances and whānau programming.

Combining creative programme development with strong project delivery skills, you will build trusted relationships across community, cultural and professional networks, collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, and deliver engaging programmes that attract visitors and deepen audience engagement.

The Museum delivers approximately 65 public programmes and activations annually, engaging more than 50,000 people through cultural events, live performances, festival projects, talks, Kaupapa Māori programming, Pacific activations, and children and whānau-focused experiences. Guided by HeKorahi Māori, Teu le Vā and the principles of manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga and mana whenua, our programmes celebrate the diverse communities of Tāmaki Makaurau. A key focus of the role is contributing to our Pacific and Māori programming streams through the development of authentic public programmes that uplift community voices, increase cultural visibility and representation, and create meaningful audience experiences.

We're looking for someone with hands-on public programming and producorial experience, comprehensive cultural competency/knowledge, excellent communication skills, and a proven ability to deliver high-quality programmes on time and within budget. Flexibility to work across weekends, evenings and holidays is also a key requirement of this position.

• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering successful publicprogrammesand events
• Strong producorial expertise and relationship management skills
• Experience working with and engaging diverse communities
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and working with Māori and Pacific communities
• Confidence speaking Te Reo Māori and or a Pacific Language
• Proven experience delivering end-to-end programmes, events or activations within the GLAM, arts, culture, heritage or community sectors
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills
• Experience building partnerships and collaborating with artists, performers, cultural practitioners, community groups and stakeholders
• Comprehensive cultural knowledge and a collaborative creative practice
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deliver successful outcomes within budget and timelines
• A diverse range of skills, perspectives and experiences to the Public Programmes team, making a meaningful and lasting contribution to the Museum and the audiences and communities we serve
• Availability to purchase additional annual leave
• An award-winning wellbeing programme including free membership with Boost app and My Everyday Wellbeing.
• An active social club which is part of the fabric of Museum life
• Life insurance from your first day and discounted Health Insurance
• Free museum membership and other staff discounts
• Discounted onsite parking
• Accredited by Rainbow tick

Closing Date: 28th September, 2026. We may commence interviews prior to the closing date of the advert.

You must be eligible to work in New Zealand to apply for this position.

Auckland Museum offers a rich and fulfilling work life where we embrace diversity and nurture our bicultural capability as demonstrated in our Teu le Va and He Korahi Māori strategies.

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to be part of a significant New Zealand organisation committed to telling our national and Auckland stories, reflecting our unique place in the South Pacific.