Manager, Strategic Programs and Destination

State Library Victoria is seeking your entrepreneurial mindset to maximise audience impact and position the Library as a leading cultural destination.

State Library Victoria is Australia’s oldest public library, and one of the first free public libraries in the world.  At State Library Victoria, we believe that access to information and stories builds knowledge, strengthens community and inspires our future. Our recent redevelopment transformed our services and spaces, enhancing our role as a driver of Victoria’s education, innovation, tourism and creative industries. 

About the Opportunity

• Bring your entrepreneurial mindset to this leadership opportunity
• VPS 6.1 Full-time, Ongoing position
• Pivotal role overseeing and shaping strategic programs

The Manager, Strategic Programs and Destination provides strategic, business, and operational leadership. Reporting to the Head of Audience Engagement, the role is responsible for developing and delivering a unified suite of audience-focused programs that significantly enhances engagement and positions the Library as a leading cultural destination. The role has oversight of StartSpace, Fellowships, public programs, tours, and guest experiences, all strategically designed to maximise impact for Library audiences.  

The Manager, Strategic Programs and Destination is accountable for the following measurable outcomes: 

• Ensuring outstanding program delivery
• Providing visionary leadership and modelling a collaborative, innovative culture
• Cultivating strategic partnerships and achieving audience objectives
• Optimising project and process management
• Managing financial and operational plans
• Leveraging data and growing program revenue

About You

The ideal candidate has the capacity to plan and manage diverse, complex projects within agreed budgets and timeframes.  You will also understand contemporary audience behaviours and cultural consumption patterns and know how to translate strategies into programs and projects that achieve organisational goals.

In addition, you will bring:

• Experience creating and developing strategic initiatives within a cultural or educational organisation context
• A history of delivering large-scale programs that are impactful and engaging to audiences
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple, complex projects undertaking best practice project management methodologies
• Proven ability to effectively manage resources and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated leadership and innovation capability that fosters a culture of growth and engagement
• A history of successfully implementing business and financial plans that are aligned to organisational goals and result in increased revenue
• Demonstrated experience working with UX design

About the Library

State Library Victoria preserves and shares the stories of Victoria and the world, and is a major destination for stimulating cultural experiences, contemporary debates, and community-driven collecting. We encourage learning, exploration, imagination, and creativity, opening up possibilities for all Victorians.

State Library Victoria is a child-safe organisation. A valid Working with Children Check will be required before commencing.

State Library Victoria promotes a workplace that actively seeks to welcome and value the unique contributions of all people. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from cultural and linguistical diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQ+, D/deaf, disabled, neurodiverse people and people of all ages and abilities to apply.

How to apply

Please note that to be considered you will need to submit your application via Careers Vic

The following documents should be attached to your application:

• Resume
• Cover letter (maximum 3 pages) summarising how you meet the key selection criteria in the Position Description which is available on the CareersVic site.  

(For more information on format and content of your application, please see how to apply for a job)

Enquiries

For assistance with the application process please contact us at employment@slv.vic.gov.au.

Privacy Collection Notice

Information about how we collect and use your personal information, and how you can contact us, can be found here.

Reasonable Adjustments

We want all applicants to have an equal opportunity to demonstrate that they are the best person for the job. If you require an adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, or the provision of a particular access service, please contact our People team on employment@slv.vic.gov.au

Applications close on Sunday 13 July 2025 at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Standard Time.