Maritime Archaeology Manager

Full-time, Ongoing, EL1 position
$115,443 – $125,832 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation
Australia’s leading museum located waterside in beautiful Darling Harbour

About the Role

The position Manager Maritime Archaeology is a senior leadership role within the Knowledge team responsible for managing and developing the museum’s maritime archaeology initiatives.

Key responsibilities include planning and leading maritime archaeology projects, managing team members, procuring equipment and ensuring its safe operation, oversight of the museum’s research vessel, budgeting and project collaborations. The Manager provides expert advice on maritime archaeology and oversees the acquisition, research and interpretation of maritime archaeology collection items through exhibitions, digital and online programs.

The position has a significant role in museum policy, including remaining abreast of relevant maritime archaeology legislation and Protection of Cultural Objects on Loan (PCOL) protocols.
This is a role with a high duty of care responsibility, including ensuring currency of all diving requirements and training of staff and volunteers undertaking fieldwork. A key element is research leadership, through practical projects such as interpretation and reconstruction of archaeologically excavated sites, and in scholarly publishing and presentations.

The position will work with the museum’s Digital and Communications teams to develop and maintain a dedicated and vibrant online resource that reflects and showcases the museum’s work in maritime archaeology.

Key Accountabilities

Under broad direction, this position is responsible for delivering the following functions:
• Manage the development of a national centre in maritime archaeology by furthering research activities that
support and complement broader national maritime heritage efforts.
• Plan and deliver maritime archaeology programs, including underwater surveys and collaborative
research projects, both within and beyond Australian waters.
• Research and publish accounts of maritime archaeology in scholarly, public and specialist forums.
• Represent the Museum in public forums, media opportunities, conferences, and cultural networks.
• Research and develop curatorial content for exhibitions and public programs, providing leadership and expert
input on exhibition and program development and review.
• Actively seek external grants, funding and key donations and provide support to the ANMM Foundation’s
fundraising activities.
• Manage and mentor the maritime archaeologists, including direction of major projects such as reconstruction of an archaeologically excavated vessel and collaborative research programs.
• Manage the budget and maintain diving and maritime archaeology equipment according to relevant safety
standards and the museum’s maritime archaeology policy and procedures, including training and maintaining
relevant qualifications.
• Participate in the museum’s Acquisitions Committee, and in monitoring the museum’s obligations and
processes including PCOL, the Collection Development Policy and relevant Maritime Archaeology legislation.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience as a project leader or principal investigator on maritime archaeology projects, including both underwater and terrestrial sites.
2. Advanced Open Water Diving Qualifications along with Rescue Diver and Nitrox (EANx) endorsements, plus a
recent (< 12 months) dive medical confirming capacity to undertake a regular program of scuba and/or surface supplied diving to depths up to 30 metres.
3. Extensive knowledge of Australian maritime history and heritage, demonstrated via a wide range of published
work in maritime archaeology.
4. Comprehensive knowledge of maritime archaeology legislation in regard to fieldwork, consultation, interpretation and object acquisition.
5. High-level public engagement skills and experience in media, conferences, presentations and public speaking.
6. Successful track record in securing grants, consultancies or other external revenue streams to support maritime archaeology programs.

Qualifications and/or relevant experience required

Desirable:
• Eligibility and willingness to obtain ADAS Part 2 qualification for surface-supplied breathing apparatus to 30m.
• Current Australian driver’s licence and minimum coxswain grade 3 certificate in boat operation.
• Experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities or collections.
• Relevant international experience, including working with cultures outside Western/English-speaking countries.
• Familiarity with or ability to use archival record keeping systems such as ELO.
• Experience with collection management database systems such as TMS.

What We Can Offer You

Working at the Sea.Museum offers a stunning office location plus access to a range of benefits including:
• A competitive salary, plus 15.4% superannuation.
• Generous leave and flexible working arrangements.
• Great training and development opportunities.
• Rewards and recognition initiatives.
• Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP – a free counselling service for you and your family).
• Wellbeing initiatives including free flu shots and reimbursement for optical.
• Salary packaging options.
• Staff Regatta – Sailing on the Harbour.

When applying via our online e-recruitment system, please provide a written application addressing each Selection Criteria. Your current resume is also to be included in your application.
In addition to an application and your resume, the assessment process for this position may also include an interview and referee reports.

Applications Close: 11:30pm AEST, Sunday 27 July 2025. No Applications will be accepted by mail or email.