Director of Collections and Exhibitions

Established in 1871, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is world-renowned for its leadership in First Nations art, major international exhibitions and its outstanding art collection.

Bold and visionary, the Art Gallery welcomes more than two million visitors each year. It comprises two architecturally striking buildings, including the SANAA-designed Naala Badu building, which features extraordinary exhibition spaces created to share more art with more people and deepen engagement with diverse audiences. The Art Gallery’s purpose is simple yet profound: to enrich lives through meaningful encounters with art.

The institution is now entering a dynamic chapter under its new Director, which reaffirms its commitment to being inclusive, engaged and visionary.

We are seeking an experienced Director of Collections & Exhibitions to lead the care and strategic direction of the Art Gallery’s collection as well as be responsible for the creative development, planning and logistics of our displays.

Working closely with the Director and as part of a small, high-performing Executive Team, you will bring significant experience of managing an art collection at a senior level. This includes the permanent collection, commissions and the temporary exhibition program, incorporating design, learning, performance and public programs, touring and content aligned to budget parameters and timeframes. You will also be responsible for exploring innovative ways of presenting, interpreting and promoting the collections through engagement activities with diverse communities and audiences, as well as through contributions to online resources, digitisation projects, and media.

A thorough knowledge of art is essential, as is experience of working in cultural institutions, as well as excellent people leadership and relationship management skills, including experience of working with government bodies. Strong commercial and project management skills are also essential.

This is a hugely exciting role requiring an exceptional individual able to lead and publicly represent the Art Gallery’s collections and deliver ambitious projects and partnerships that will reach and inspire more people.

Applications close on 19 January 2026.