Lead First Nations Curator, Pre-1914 Frontier Wars Gallery - Affirmative Measures (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)

• Non-ongoing, Full Time - EL1
• $121,755 to $132,713
• Campbell, ACT (relocation support can be considered)

Affirmative Measures - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

This vacancy is open only to candidates who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

The Role

The Lead First Nations Curator for the Pre-1914 Frontier Wars gallery is responsible for guiding the overall visitor experience development including; storyline, themes, collections and multimedia to engage broad audiences. In particular, the Lead First Nations Curator will provide the broader historical context to the Frontier Wars in order to inform the new exhibition content. The Lead First Nations Curator will guide research into the National Collection and other cultural institutions’ collections. They will also collaborate closely with collection area representatives, supporting the development, management and delivery of exhibition content. The Lead Curator will be required to work closely with the Exhibition Project Manager, whilst supervising other curatorial team members in the delivery of the project vision.

The position will take an active role in the development of the stakeholder consultation strategy and will be responsible for guiding Memorial and contractor staff responsible for delivering against the engagement objectives. This position will be responsible for collaborating with consultants and contractors involved in content development and multimedia delivery.

The Lead First Nations Curator will be accountable to the Gallery Development management team, Advisory Groups and key stakeholders. The position works collaboratively with the Gallery Development Team led by the Executive Program Director.

Core Responsibilities

The Lead Curator plays a key leadership role within the Exhibition Project Team and will lead the curatorial work of a small direct team and a wider indirect team of staff drawn from Sections of the Memorial, or externally as required. The Lead Curator will:

• Lead the overall storyline and themes for the Pre-1914 Frontier Wars Gallery through best-practice community engagement and ICIP principles.
• Scope and develop exhibition narrative structure, key messages and stories.
• Develop clear audience-focused approaches and interpretative methodologies.
• Lead and guide the research of the National Collection and external sources enabling the development of the exhibition list.
• Contribute to the development and preparation of key documents, including curatorial rationale, concept description; exhibition design brief; concept design; developed design and multimedia briefs and storyboards;
• Contribute to formative audience evaluation processes, supplying materials throughout the development process for testing.
• Lead the development and delivery of exhibition content, including collection acquisitions, special commissions; and loans in collaboration with internal stakeholders and business owners, ensuring organisational policies and procedures are followed.
• Lead the preparation of all exhibition text. Work with the Curator and broader exhibition team to co-coordinate drafts with the Editor(s) in preparation for approval by Senior Management.
• Contribute to development of audio-visual content in conjunction with the Exhibition Project Manager and external contractors. Develop the content associated with exhibition multimedia.
• Work closely with the project team and broader internal stakeholder group to ensure exhibition milestones and program are achieved.
• Contribute to the community engagement plans and media activities and work effectively with veteran and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholder groups as required.
• Ensure all information presented in the exhibition is accurate and authenticated, through peer and other reviews.
• Contribute to exhibition specific Stakeholder Management Plans, ensuring key stakeholder groups are identified for consultation on specific stories and/or collections associated with the exhibition.
• Participate in review and approval stages of exhibition content by the Corporate Management Group (CMG).
• Develop and contribute to key public programming material including public programs; publications; web; media including social media; and marketing, as required.
• Lead, manage and contribute to the team to produce quality outcomes and personal development to direct report(s).

Position Eligibility

• This role is an affirmative measure to support employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This means only people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander are eligible to apply.
  • Information on Confirmation of Heritage can be found in the Candidate Information Package below.
• To work at the Memorial, you must meet the requirements set out in the Public Service Act 1999.
• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
• All applicants external to AWM that are offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a National Police Check, even if they currently hold a security clearance. The check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.

Contact Information

• For specific questions relating to this job vacancy, please contact: Bliss Jensen, (02) 6243 4449, [email protected]
• For questions relating to the online lodgement of your application, please email the Recruitment team via [email protected]

Closing Date

Applications close at 11:30pm, Sunday, 28 June 2026

For more details about the position and how to apply, please view the Candidate Information Pack.

About the Redevelopment

The redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial’s (AWM) galleries and precinct is the most significant redevelopment in the organisation’s 83-year history. The multi-year multimillion dollar project will deliver a substantial expansion of existing gallery spaces. The new southern extension, Anzac atrium, and an enhanced Anzac Hall are now delivered, with projects now underway in the main heritage building.

We are seeking talented professionals to support the delivery of a significant new gallery; the Pre 1914 and Frontier Wars galleries. This phase of work focuses on exhibition research, design, coordination and fit out for Australia’s Frontier Wars – creating inclusive, accessible, engaging exhibitions for broad audiences.

Working at the AWM offers a rare opportunity to contribute to complex, high profile gallery projects within one of the world’s leading commemorative and museum institutions. This role is ideal for applicants who thrive in collaborative, delivery focused environments and are motivated by creating meaningful, high quality visitor experiences. Join a passionate, multidisciplinary team shaping galleries that will educate, engage and inspire visitors for generations to come.

This project will deliver against the AWM’s commitment to broader and deeper representation of Frontier conflicts and will follow the best-practice principles from the AMaGA Indigenous roadmap and the federal Government’s Revive policy that prioritise authentic cultural representation and First Nations arts and culture is First Nations led.