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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

APS6 Program Coordinator

Applications close midnight 22 September 2025

The Position

The Gallery seeks a skilled and motivated professional to lead the development and delivery of innovative learning and public engagement programs that reflect the Gallery’s commitment to creativity, inclusivity, and audience connection.

Reporting to the Head, Education and Creative Engagement, this role sits within the Access and Learning section and works collaboratively across the Gallery to enhance visitor experience through dynamic, high-quality programming. The Program Coordinator plays a pivotal role in shaping audience engagement with the National Collection and temporary exhibitions.

This position is responsible for the strategic coordination and hands-on delivery of education and public engagement programs, resources, and associated administrative functions. It supports a broad range of audience segments, including schools, families, young people, adult learners, and communities with specific access needs. The role requires active involvement in on-ground program delivery, including professional learning for educators and public-facing engagement. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills to deliver impactful and memorable experiences for all visitors.

Specific Tasks

  1. Design, coordinate, and deliver innovative public engagement programs, including associated resources and administrative processes, that enrich exhibitions and position the Gallery as a leader in audience engagement.
  2. Contribute to the development and delivery of engaging education programs that strengthen school engagement with the Gallery, including leading targeted professional learning initiatives for educators.
  3. Coordinate the delivery team by setting priorities, managing workflow, and allocating resources to ensure high-quality outputs aligned with section objectives.
  4. Collaborate across Gallery sections and with external stakeholders to plan and deliver large scale programs, including preparing schedules, budgets, briefs, ideating concepts, identifying talent, managing logistics and co-ordinate risk assessments.
  5. Monitor and evaluate program outcomes using audience data and analytics to inform continuous improvement and strategic planning.
  6. Provide line management for delivery staff, including supervision, performance management, and professional development to ensure consistent, high-quality program delivery.

Section Criteria

  1. Demonstrated experience in developing, delivering, and evaluating education and public programs for diverse audiences, including adults, children and family groups, students and teachers and communities with specific access needs.
  2. Strong understanding of audience engagement methodologies, audience segmentation, and sector trends in public and educational engagement within cultural settings
  3. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring delivery on time and within budget. This includes effectively coordinating resources, staff, schedules, and priorities to meet program objectives. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build and sustain productive relationships, negotiate effectively with stakeholders and applies sound judgement in decision-making
  4. Demonstrated commitment to maintain a child safe and child friendly environment, with skills that enhance children’s positive engagement in the Gallery.
  5. Demonstrated stewardship of the Gallery’s and the Australian Public Service Values, Code of Conduct and Work Health and Safety principles and practices.

Industry specific

  • Qualifications or experience in either the visual arts, Australian history, museum studies and/or education are desirable.
  • Knowledge and/or experience working in a cultural agency with an understanding of portraiture is desirable.

Applicant information

In no more than two A4 pages, please tell us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for this job.

Email your application, a current CV and the application coversheet to hrservices@npg.gov.au by the deadline listed below. Applications close midnight Monday 22 September 2025.

If you need more information, please get in touch with Alana Sivell on 02 6102 7073 or by email at alana.sivell@npg.gov.au

© National Portrait Gallery 2025
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency