Manager - Museums and Events

The Robert Menzies Institute is a University of Melbourne-affiliated museum, research centre and national civic institution dedicated to the study, preservation and renewal of Australia's liberal democratic tradition.

The Position

The Manager - Museum and Events ensures the Institute operates safely, efficiently and professionally, leads the end-to-end planning and delivery of Institute events, and provides responsible stewardship of the museum, exhibitions and volunteers. The role integrates event management and public-program delivery with museum operations, facilities, procurement, administration, compliance and project delivery.

Key accountabilities Museum and visitor operations

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the permanent museum and exhibition spaces.
• Maintain a high-quality visitor experience, opening procedures, tours, front-of-house standards and accessibility.
• Coordinate museum volunteers, rosters, induction, supervision and recognition.
• Maintain incident, visitor, maintenance and operational records.
• Support selective temporary, travelling or digital exhibition projects where strategically justified.

Collections stewardship

• Maintain accurate collection, object, loan, location and condition records.
• Coordinate preventive conservation, environmental monitoring, handling, storage and specialist advice.
• Manage incoming and outgoing loans, insurance, transport, documentation and approvals.
• Support digitisation, research access and interpretation in collaboration with the Research Manager and University collections staff.
• Ensure collection activities comply with relevant policies, agreements and professional standards.

Events delivery

• Own the end-to-end operational planning and delivery of Institute events, including the annual event calendar, project plans, milestones, budgets, venues, suppliers, contracts, speaker and guest logistics, run sheets, access, safety, catering, audio-visual requirements, equipment, front-of-house, on-site delivery and pack-down.
• Chair event planning meetings and coordinate contributions from program leads, the Engagement Manager, the General Manager, the CEO, volunteers and contractors.
• Work with Research and Schools leads on intellectual content, speakers and program requirements, and with the Engagement Manager on marketing, registration, invitations, audience targeting, supporter communications and CRM follow-up.
• Manage event budgets, contracts, suppliers, risk assessments, contingencies and post-event operational and financial reviews.
• Lead the on-site guest and supporter experience, including front-of-house standards, VIP arrangements, volunteer and casual staffing, accessibility and incident response; maintain reusable event plans, checklists, schedules and supplier arrangements.

Organisational operations

• Coordinate office operations, facilities, access, equipment, supplies, records and service providers.
• Manage procurement and contracts within delegations, maintaining appropriate documentation and value-for-money discipline.
• Support the General Manager with insurance, risk, compliance, business continuity and workplace requirements.
• Maintain operating procedures and ensure critical tasks are documented and covered.
• Coordinate logistics for meetings, programs, travel, deliveries and installations.

Projects and continuous improvement

• Lead operational projects, exhibition maintenance, installations, office improvements and process redesign.
• Identify efficiency, service, safety and compliance improvements.
• Manage contractors and volunteers against clear scopes, schedules and quality expectations.
• Provide reliable operational data and reports to the General Manager.

Selection criteria

• Demonstrated experience in operations, end-to-end event management, museum or collections management, project delivery, cultural institutions or a comparable environment.
• Strong organisational and project-management skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience with collections records, loans, insurance, conservation coordination or museum standards is highly desirable.
• Experience managing volunteers, contractors, suppliers or front-of-house services.
• Sound understanding of risk, safety, procurement, compliance and documentation requirements.
• Ability to manage competing priorities calmly and solve practical problems in a small team.
• Strong written, interpersonal and stakeholder-management skills.
• Commitment to responsible stewardship of the Institute's museum, collection, reputation and resources.

Qualifications and experience

• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent professional experience in operations, event management, museum practice, collections, project management or a related field.
• Museum, conservation, collections-management or cultural-heritage training is desirable but not mandatory where equivalent operational capability is demonstrated.
• Capacity to meet role-relevant safety, security, visitor-service and child-safe requirements.