Curator Of Navy

• Full-time, Ongoing, APS 6 position
• $94,563 - $105,910 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation
• Australia’s leading museum located waterside in beautiful Darling Harbour

The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking a dynamic Curator of Navy with strong expertise in Australia’s naval connections to join the Knowledge team in this ongoing full-time position.

About the Australian National Maritime Museum
As one of Sydney’s most visited museums, the Australian National Maritime Museum shares our national maritime story across Australia and the world, online, onsite and through research, presentations and travelling exhibitions, and provides must-visit museum experiences that delight and inspire.

We connect our visitors with the oceans and waterways that are the heartbeat of who we are. From deep time to modern Australian and beyond, we explore our past, our present and future as an island nation shaped by sea, offering a sustainable and cohesive vision for the future.

The Museum welcomes over 2.5 million local, interstate and international visitors annually, and is supported by a thriving and passionate staff, membership, volunteer and education base. Find out more at sea.museum.

About the Role
The Curator of Navy is a member of the Knowledge team, which encompasses the Museum’s curators, library and publications. Reporting to the Head of Knowledge, the role is focused on naval connections to Australia, including its home waters and overseas deployments, from the eighteenth century and into the future.

The position contributes significantly to maintaining a close relationship with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Department of Veterans’ Affairs and other external stakeholders. The Curator of Navy provides advice to the Museum’s executive on matters relating to naval affairs and protocol.

The position takes a leading role in acquiring and interpreting the Museum’s naval collection and ensuring that key commemorations are appropriately observed. It also incorporates research and interpretation for several of the Museum’s most significant assets, including former RAN vessels HMAS Vampire, HMAS Onslow and HMAS Advance, plus MV Krait and our Seahawk helicopter.

Please note: This recruitment process is intended to fill both current and future vacancies. While the position on offer is ongoing, a merit pool of suitable applicants may be established to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions within the next 18 months.

Key Accountabilities
Under limited direction, this position is responsible for delivering the following functions:

• Represent the Museum in all matters relating to naval history, including participation in events, ceremonies and non-operational deployments.
• Prepare proposals for naval-related accessions into the National Maritime Collection, in line with the Museum’s Collection Development Policy, priority focus areas and Protection of Cultural Objects on Loan protocols.
• Oversee the rejuvenation and ongoing interpretation program of the Museum’s Action Stations gallery.
• Engage stakeholders and audiences through innovative exhibitions and emerging technologies to highlight the contribution of naval technologies, capabilities and personnel to Australian history.
• Assume responsibility for the interpretation of the Museum’s RAN vessels and assets.
• Represent the Museum in public forums, media opportunities, conferences and cultural institutions networks.
• Research and publish accounts of Australian naval history in scholarly, public and specialist forums.

Selection Criteria
The successful candidate will demonstrate their capacity against the following:

• Experience in the significance assessment and interpretation of defence-related objects in a museum context.
• Thorough familiarity with modern defence history, including contemporary assets, capabilities and doctrine in an Australian context.
• Publications record in naval/military history and heritage, encompassing academic, public and community-targeted content.
• A track record of storytelling and directing the curation of unique and engaging digital experiences, both online and in museum.
• Proven experience in meeting project deadlines, operating within budget constraints and working across multiple diverse projects simultaneously.

Qualifications and/or relevant experience required
Mandatory:

• Postgraduate qualifications in military and/or naval history, defence/strategic studies, or museum and heritage studies.

Desirable:

• Previous experience working in the Australian Public Service and/or the cultural institutions sector.
• A track record of leading or contributing to externally funded grant applications.
• Familiarity with or ability to use archival record keeping systems such as ELO.
• Applicants with defence experience are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage are encouraged to apply.

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 AEDT, Wednesday 21 January 2026. No Applications will be accepted by mail or email.

Selection for this position will be made on the basis of relative merit which will be assessed against each item of the selection criteria. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered for shortlisting by the Selection Panel. As part of the selection process the Selection Panel may invite candidates to undertake online testing, skills-based assessment and provide samples of written work at interview.

This position is open to all eligible members of the community, and we welcome and encourage applications from people with disability, the LGBTIQ+ communities, from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. To be an eligible member of the community, you must be an Australian citizen. Applications may be accepted from Australian permanent residents who are in the process of acquiring Australian citizenship. All employees will be required to satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check and obtain and maintain a Working with Children Check registration.

What We Offer You
Working at the 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
• Staff Regatta – Sailing on the Harbour.

RecuitAbility
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information see: RecruitAbility | Australian Public Service Commission (https://apsc.gov.au)

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