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89889 | EL2 - Head of Capital Works and Property

16/10/2025
02/11/2025
$137,956.00 - $153,017.00
Ongoing / Non-ongoing; Full time
Canberra
Arts, Culture,Organisational Leadership,Procurement, Contract Management,Project Management,Property Management/Maintenance

About the National Film and Sound Archive

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) is Australia’s audiovisual archive, telling the national story by collecting, preserving and sharing audiovisual media, the cultural experience platforms of our time. The collection itself dates back to 1935, making it one of the world’s oldest audiovisual collections. It is also one of the country’s most used cultural collections, with around 125 million views of collection content each year. The NFSA is in a period of significant change. Following increased Government investment, the institution is in a process of digital transformation, establishing the NFSA as Australia’s most dynamic and valued cultural organisation. We are rebuilding our curatorial workforce and developing the NFSA’s capacity to digitise our collection at scale – to preserve it for the future, to make sure it can be discovered, and to share it with all Australians.

We continue to work on developing a stable, secure and future-proof workforce across our four physical sites based in Canberra and Mitchell in the ACT as well as in Sydney and Melbourne.

We are also undergoing a program of business improvement for many of our corporate systems to improve efficiency and reduce manual handling.

We are an ambitious organisation, and we aim to be an employer of choice within the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) sector, providing exciting and challenging work, as well as favourable employment conditions and unique development opportunities for our staff.

Cultural Values

We are an equal opportunity employer, embracing a diverse range of applicants such as veterans, and people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA community members, individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions, as well as those from varied faith and cultural backgrounds. At the NFSA we prioritise the development of a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture through shared actions and behaviours that align with our strategy and direction. This empowers our employees to effectively contribute to our goals.

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child friendly environment. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for these principles in theory and practice.

About the Team

The Property and Capital Works section sits within the Collection Preservation Branch and is expected to work cooperatively across all branches and teams, including public programs, learning, curatorial, collection management, digitisation and digital, with an emphasis on ensuring a safe site for visitors and staff and actively contributing to the delivery of the Acton place strategy.

The team supports the NFSA’s mission by providing a safe, resilient and fit for purpose work environment by managing the Agency’s capital works program, property strategy, accommodation and facilities as well as the provision and development of protective security services.

The Opportunity

Based at the NFSA’s headquarters in Acton, ACT, the Head of Capital Works and Property leads the Capital Works and Property & Security teams to deliver capital works and operational projects across a portfolio of nine distinct locations in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to practically contribute to the revitalisation of the NFSA including large scale capital, renewal and restoration projects, accommodation planning and small to medium scale construction and asset replacement projects.

We are seeing an individual who is:

  • Energetic and caring professional with well-developed skills, interests and networks in facilities management and infrastructure delivery.
  • Both a problem spotter, and a problem solver.
  • Interested in the role of audiovisual culture in Australia, and able to support the effective management of a complex analogue and digital collection. 
  • Someone who thrives on change and relishes tactical ducking and weaving.
  • An enthusiastic, generous and fun collaborator and team member.

“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/Non-ongoing positions within the next 18-months.”

Job Description

Under broad direction, this position is responsible for delivering the following functions:

  • Lead and support the position’s direct reports to:
    • promote a culture of collaboration, facilitate continuous improvement, capability building and innovation across the NFSA.
    • deliver a program of repairs and maintenance, ensuring alignment within strategic objectives, budget and business plans.
    • deliver a progressive capital works strategy that integrates the implementation of the Strategic Asset Management Plan, and which supports the broader strategic direction of the organisation.
  • Effectively collaborate with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver cross-organisation initiatives and projects.
  • Ensure capital works initiatives are fully integrated into strategic and budget planning for the NFSA.
  • Oversee program governance and quality standards of infrastructure projects and risk management.
  • Oversee APS Net Zero reporting requirements and alignment with APS sustainable procurement guidance and lead the next stage of the NFSA’s Sustainability and Climate Action Strategy.
  • Ensure the safety of collections and visitors when planning and delivering capital works and maintenance projects.

Selection Criteria 

The successful candidate will demonstrate their capacity against the following:

  1. Extensive experience in leading resilient, innovative and high performing teams
  2. Experience in leading a capital infrastructure and facilities maintenance program of works.
  3. Demonstrated experience in the application of NFSA and Australian Government procurement procedures, and experience in preparing, monitoring and managing budgets.
  4. Well-developed written and oral communication skills, including effective stakeholder management skills with co-workers, contractors, suppliers and external organisations.
  5. Demonstrated application of Work Health and Safety and risk management principles relating to buildings and facilities operations.

Desired Skills and Experience

Desirable:

  • A Diploma in Project Management or similar formal project management qualifications in a Prince2 or related methodology.
  • Experience working in a public or cultural facility with relevant knowledge of balancing the needs of collection materials and public access during capital works programs.

 

Work Environment Description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the National Film and Sound Archive is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.

How to Apply

When applying via our online e-recruitment system, please address the details in the ‘Key Responsibilities’ and ‘Selection Criteria’ by outlining in 1,000 words or less, how your skills and relevant experience demonstrate that you would be our ideal candidate. Your current resume must 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.

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.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for this position you must:

  • Be an Australian Citizen.
  • Satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check.
  • Obtain and maintain an Australian Government Baseline Security Clearance.

What we offer you 

We provide a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment with access to: 

  • Great training and development opportunities. 
  • Generous leave and flexible working arrangements.
  • Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP – a free counselling service for you and your family).
  • A competitive salary, plus 15.4% superannuation. 
  • Rewards and recognition initiatives.

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)

Contact Officer 

Rebecca Coronel | Chief Collection Preservation Officer 
E: rebecca.coronel@nfsa.gov.au
Ph: 02 6248 2119

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