Head of Education

Posted: 14/11/2025

Closing Date: 25/11/2025

Job Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Auckland

Job Category: Education, Childcare & Training

Mō mātou | About us

Tāmaki Paenga Hira: Tui tui hono tangata, whenua me te moana.

Auckland War Memorial Museum: Connecting through sharing stories of people, lands and seas

Auckland Museum is a much-loved culture and heritage organisation at the heart of Auckland's identity, committed to outstanding management of its world-class collections, developing and sharing engaging content through its galleries, exhibitions, events, educational programmes and the permanent and volunteer staff who tell the Museum's stories. We are Auckland's home of commemoration as well as the country's oldest research institution and a major tourist destination.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

We are seeking a visionary Head of Education to lead our Learning team and ensure education remains central to audience engagement. This senior leadership role will:

• Set the strategic direction for education aligned with Museum priorities and statutory obligations.
• Build strong partnerships with schools, kura, tertiary institutions, and the GLAM sector.
• Oversee development and delivery of high-quality, curriculum-aligned programmes that reflect best practice and kaupapa Māori principles.
• Drive innovation in digital learning and ensure efficient operational delivery.
• Manage budgets and resources effectively while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.

Education is a statutory priority for the Museum and a key driver of audience growth and relevance. This is an opportunity to shape the future of learning experiences for thousands of visitors and learners.

Ō pūmanawa | What you will bring

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven experience in educational leadership, preferably in museums, cultural institutions, or the education sector.
• Strong understanding of the New Zealand Curriculum, Te Whāriki, and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.
• Expertise in designing and delivering digital learning experiences.
• Knowledge of kaupapa Māori and te reo Māori within educational contexts, with a commitment to bicultural practices.
• Commercial acumen and experience in budget management.
• Ability to influence senior leadership and lead high-performing teams effectively.
• Relevant tertiary qualification.

Additionally, you will bring the ability to build effective teams and foster collaboration across the Museum, a strong customer focus grounded in manaakitanga, and the skill to motivate others by creating an environment where people can do their best work. You will demonstrate resilience and optimism when navigating ambiguity, show cultural empathy and adaptability through interpersonal savvy, and display managerial courage by holding people accountable while reinforcing organisational values.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

• Flexible work arrangements and the ability to purchase additional annual leave.
• Life insurance from your first day and discounted health insurance.
• An award-winning wellbeing programme and free museum membership.
• Discounted onsite parking and great staff discounts.
• An inclusive, supportive culture and an active social club.
• Rainbow tick accredited.

Check out our benefits page to learn more about why we love working here.

Tono mai i tēnei rā| Apply today

Closing Date: Tuesday, 25 November 2025.

You must be eligible to work in New Zealand to apply for this position. Please view the position description here or select the apply button to view if on the Seek platform.

Auckland Museum offers a rich and fulfilling work life where we embrace diversity and nurture our bicultural capability as demonstrated in our Teu le Va and He Korahi Maori strategies. We also offer a range of great benefits such as flexible work and leave and an award-winning wellbeing programme.

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to be part of a fabulous New Zealand organisation committed to telling our national and Auckland stories, reflecting our unique place in the South Pacific.

He Oranga Tangata ka ao

Enriching lives: Inspiring discoveries