Senior Curator, Contemporary Art

Institution: National Gallery of Victoria
Deadline: 23 January 2026 (5:00 pm)
Location: Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Contract: Full-time, ongoing
Salary: VPS 6.1 – AUD 138,631 per annum + 12% superannuation

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is seeking a Senior Curator, Contemporary Art to lead the Contemporary Art curatorial department and oversee the development, care, and strategic direction of its Contemporary Art collection.

This senior leadership position is responsible for shaping the vision and direction of the NGV’s Contemporary Art program. The role combines strategic curatorial leadership, people management, and high-level stakeholder engagement, contributing to the development and delivery of exhibitions, displays, partnerships, and research initiatives of national and international significance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Contemporary Art curatorial department, aligning team performance with NGV values and strategic objectives

• Contribute senior expertise to the development and implementation of the NGV Collections Strategy

• Plan, research, develop, and coordinate contemporary art exhibitions, displays, projects, and partnerships

• Ensure the safekeeping and stewardship of the Contemporary Art collection, including acquisitions, registration, cataloguing, conservation, handling, display, and storage

• Contribute to NGV publications, audience engagement, and learning programs

• Develop and support research and communication initiatives to promote the Contemporary Art collection and exhibitions nationally and internationally

• Build and maintain strong relationships with artists, lenders, donors, collectors, and institutional partners

• Negotiate loans, purchases, and donations

• Represent the NGV in internal and external professional forums

Essential Criteria

• Relevant postgraduate qualification

• Extensive senior-level experience and specialist knowledge in contemporary art and/or art history

• Demonstrated high-level curatorial and institutional experience

• Strong people management and leadership skills

• Proven strategic planning capability and ability to translate creative ideas into organisational outcomes

• Demonstrated knowledge of national and international art markets and collections

• Experience with collection management databases (highly desirable)