Whangārei Art Museum is seeking a capable and motivated Collections & Programmes Manager to provide operational leadership across the stewardship, development, and activation of the Museum’s collection and public programmes.

This is a multifaceted role within a small, ambitious public art gallery, suited to someone who is comfortable working across collections, programmes, education, funding, reporting, and day-to-day operational delivery. Working closely with the Director, the Collections & Programmes Manager will help ensure that the Museum’s collection is cared for, researched, developed, and managed in line with policy, while also leading the delivery of public programmes, education initiatives, exhibition openings, and audience engagement activity.

The role combines collection management, programme delivery, funding development, planning, reporting, and staff/contractor coordination. It requires someone who can move confidently between detailed collections compliance work and outward-facing public engagement.

The successful applicant will be responsible for:

• delivering and monitoring operational compliance with the Museum’s Collections Policy
• supporting collection development, acquisition, loan, conservation, accessioning, inventory, and condition reporting processes
• coordinating documentation and workflow for the Collections & Acquisitions Committee
• developing and delivering public programmes aligned with the exhibition schedule
• overseeing education programmes, workshops, openings, and audience engagement initiatives
• managing programme budgets and monitoring income and expenditure
• identifying and preparing funding applications for collections, conservation, education, and public programme activity
• coordinating casual educators, technicians, contractors, and other contributors as required
• reporting to the Director on delivery outcomes, financial performance, risks, and compliance matters

We are looking for someone with strong professional judgement, excellent written and organisational skills, and the ability to work constructively in a small team environment. The role requires critical engagement with contemporary art, an understanding of museum or gallery collection practice, and the ability to plan and deliver high-quality public programmes.

Applicants should have a postgraduate qualification in Fine Art, Art History, Museum Studies, or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated professional experience. Experience in collections management, museum or gallery operations, public programming, funding applications, budget management, and staff or contractor coordination will be highly valued.

Experience with museum collection database systems would be an advantage.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in the next stage of Whangārei Art Museum’s development, supporting both the care of a significant public collection and the delivery of meaningful public engagement for Whangārei and Northland.

Please apply through Seek at https://nz.seek.com/job/91770277