Senior Conservator Exhibitions

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in preserving and presenting Australia's maritime heritage.

As the Senior Conservator Exhibitions, you will lead conservation outcomes for major exhibitions, incoming loans and collection projects, helping ensure nationally significant collection material is preserved, accessible and ready to be shared with audiences.

Working across exhibition, curatorial and collection teams, you will provide expert conservation advice and influence how collection objects are cared for, interpreted and displayed. You will lead complex conservation projects and treatments, applying contemporary conservation practices, ethics and professional standards to a diverse range of cultural heritage materials.

You will manage competing priorities across multiple projects, balancing preservation, access and exhibition requirements while delivering high-quality outcomes within agreed timeframes. Sound professional judgement, strong planning skills and the ability to build productive relationships will be central to your success.

As a senior member of the team, you will prepare conservation documentation, reports and professional advice that support informed decision-making. You will also work closely with staff, volunteers and stakeholders, sharing your expertise, providing guidance and contributing to the ongoing development of conservation practice across the Museum.

This is a unique opportunity to work with nationally significant collections, contribute to major exhibitions and help ensure Australia's maritime stories remain accessible for generations to come.

You are an experienced conservation professional with:

• Strong expertise in the conservation of cultural heritage collections, exhibitions and loans

• Extensive knowledge of contemporary conservation practice, ethics and professional standards, including those of the AICCM

• Proven project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver outcomes within deadlines

• Experience preparing conservation documentation, reports and professional communications

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build relationships and work effectively across multidisciplinary teams

• A recognised tertiary qualification in Materials Conservation and substantial experience in cultural heritage conservation, including at least five years' relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and experience

• Current membership of the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials (AICCM)

Working at the Museum offers a stunning office location plus access to a range of benefits including:

• A competitive salary, plus 15.4% superannuation

• Generous leave and flexible working arrangements

• Great training and development opportunities

• Rewards and recognition initiatives

• Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP – a free counselling service for you and your family).

• Wellbeing initiatives including free flu shots and reimbursement for optical

• Staff Regatta – Sailing on the Harbour.

To apply, please click the link below to complete the pre-screening questions. You will also need to upload:

• a cover letter addressing each of the Selection Criteria with a maximum of 400 words per criterion; and

• your current resumé.

Applications close Sunday, 20 September 2026 - 11:59pm AEST