The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking an experienced and efficient ICMM Development Officer with strong planning and program delivery to join the Fleet team in this non-ongoing 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
In September 2026, the Museum will be hosting the International Congress of Maritime Museums with the theme of ‘Beyond The Horizon: Community, Courage and the Voyage Ahead’. Some 120 delegates and 30 partners from across Europe, the United States, Asia and the Pacific will attend six days of formal presentations, talks and workshops. The Museum will also be presenting a diverse program of social activities, ranging from the formal welcome on Sunday 13 September, to a full day of site inspections on Wednesday 16th and a program of late afternoon/evening visits to cultural institutions, tall ship sailing and other activities. In parallel to the Congress, four days of activities for accompanying partners need to be arranged as well as pre and post-Congress tours.

This position is the ICMM Development Officer, responsible for the planning and management of the Congress, including, but not limited to, efficient and effective delivery of the Congress program, oversight of online and print resources (before, during and after the Congress), delegate information kits, catering and the associated social activities for both delegates and their partners and collaboration with the Head, Volunteers regarding support for Congress delegates. In addition, a range of pre and post Congress tours will need to be managed and delivered. The post holder works closely with the Assistant Director, Fleet and Collections, to ensure that the Museum’s specific tasks as outlined in the MOU with the International Congress of Maritime Museums are realised.

Please note: This recruitment process is intended to fill both current and future vacancies. While the position on offer is non-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:

Manage and deliver operational matters to a high standard relating to the ICMM to be hosted by the Museum in September 2026, including working with Museum sections to deliver specific requirements including:
- the Congress website with online registration.
- in collaboration with the ICMM Secretariat generate content for the ICMM newsletter and contribute to
- the Congress program, including information on individual speakers, summaries of papers and details of workshops and other activities. This will need to be continually updated in response to changing circumstances.
- delegate information packs, name badges and Congress ‘swag’ (providing this is sustainable)
- a range of other online and print materials.
In consultation with the Assistant Director, develop the following programs for delegates during the Congress:
- the formal meeting of the Congress Committee on Sunday 13 September.
- the opening ceremony, including a Welcome to Country, on Sunday 13 September.
- the Congress program for 14, 15, 17 and 18 September, including oversight of venues, speaker requirements (audio-visual and digital) and catering.
- the Congress social program, including at least two late afternoon/early evening events on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 September, and the Conference Dinner on Friday 18 September. This includes organising transport, liaising with host institutions, arranging for volunteers to accompany delegates, and catering.
- an associated program of half to whole day activities for partners on 14, 15, 17 and 18 September, includes organising transport, liaising with host institutions, arranging for volunteers to accompany partners, and catering (if required).
Respond to queries from the ICMM Executive Council and President in a timely manner.
- Liaise with maritime museums and organisations in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, and Townsville in the delivery of post-Congress tours.
- Ensure that the Congress arrangements and materials are delivered in a timely fashion and within the budget.
- Oversee the post conference survey and reporting to the ICMM Executive Committee.

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

Proven ability to plan, manage, and deliver complex events and projects within tight timeframes and budget constraints, demonstrating sound judgement, initiative, and accountability for outcomes.
Demonstrated capacity to work independently and proactively, managing competing priorities while providing clear and timely communication and reporting to Executive, and the ICMM Executive.
Highly developed communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to write, edit, and produce professional web, print, and promotional materials to a high standard.
Strong leadership and coordination skills, with the ability to guide team members, volunteers, and contractors in achieving operational and strategic objectives in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.
Well-developed analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to anticipate challenges, identify practical solutions, and ensure compliance with organisational policies and objectives.

Qualifications and/or relevant experience required

Mandatory:

Bachelor’s degree / Technical qualification in business, administration or communications / marketing
Previous experience in a similar position.

Desirable:

Experience working with volunteers to deliver specific programs.
Experience of working in a cultural institution and understanding of the Museum environment.

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 3 December 2025. 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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