Director, Collection Preservation and
Infrastructure
Job Title
Director, Collection Preservation and Infrastructure
Job Number
4000
Classification
Executive Level 2
Job Type
Ongoing, Full time
Salary
$106,861 - $119,411
Location
Acton, ACT
Program
Collections Program
About the Organisation
AIATSIS is Australia’s premier national institution for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander studies. We house the world’s most important and extensive collection of
cultural and research material, and we promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
knowledge and culture through access to our collections and including publishing
through Aboriginal Studies Press. We engage in a broad research program,
covering areas of social and cultural wellbeing, country and governance, and
including the Native title Research Unit. AIATSIS works to enhance the lives of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to enable a better understanding of
Australia and its people by all Australians.
According to recent significance assessments the AIATSIS collection is the “most
extensive and best contextualised collection of Indigenous Australia in the world”.
As a major national keeping place for Indigenous knowledge, it is also key research
infrastructure and a source of information and knowledge about Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and histories for Australia and the world. The
Collections program encompasses all aspects of collection development,
management, preservation and access.
Position Details
The Director, Collection Preservation and Infrastructure is responsible for the overall
management of the teams working to digitally preserve the collection and to manage
the business specific systems (software and hardware) that support the collection.
An understanding of the subject matter plus experience and knowledge of the
systems and methods in ensuring digitisation and systems support of cultural
heritage collection materials in all formats is essential. The role requires a leader and
encompasses all aspects of staff management including supervision, training and
performance management of team members.
The Director will also work collaboratively as part of the Collections Management
Team to achieve AIATSIS and Collections goals, utilising skills in strategic forward
planning, formulation and co-ordination of management related policies, and
analytical skills to resolve complex issues, and to design and manage projects.
Also required is a clear understanding of the role of a major specialist collection in
meeting the needs of Indigenous people, and researchers, and the particular
demands of such a collection, including an understanding of the challenges posed by
Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights and the concerns of Indigenous
peoples when facilitating discoverability of material which contains Indigenous
cultural heritage.
The Director, Collection Preservation and Infrastructure requires broad experience
working in cultural heritage collections, significant management experience, and a
proven understanding of collection digitisation practices, including a high level
understanding of the technical systems and technologies required to support the
development, management, preservation, digitisation, discoverability and
accessibility of collection materials.
Duty Statement
Under broad direction

Ensure continued digital preservation and support of the AIATSIS Collection by
developing strategies, policies and priorities that will ensure the collection
supports AIATSIS objectives.

Provide high level expert advice on professional, technical and administrative
matters in relation to the digital preservation of the AIATSIS cultural heritage
collection in all media formats and the infrastructure and technologies that
support it (and carry it into the future) in accordance with corporate and program
policies and plans, as well as providing written reports, statistics, submissions
and more complex correspondence.

Develop and implement policies, strategies and plans to preserve the collection
digitally and to make the collection more discoverable and accessible to all
clients

Manage the effective and efficient operations and staff of the Collection
Preservation and Infrastructure unit, including collection digitisation activities,
systems and technologies, administration, resource management and provision
of high level service to internal and external clients.

Lead a diverse team to create an innovative and engaged culture, facilitating
learning and performance, motivating and developing people, encouraging the
exploration of varied views, particularly in times of change. Deliver honest, clear
and constructive performance feedback and take responsibility for resolving
conflict. Manage under performance effectively.

Be aware of, and work to the capability clusters outlined in the Australian Public
Service Commission Integrated Leadership System applicable to Executive
Level 2 employees.
Position Description: 106738502 | 1
Application Instructions
Fill in the application form. Please limit your response to 300 words per criterion.
Selection Criteria
1. Demonstrated commitment to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples and the demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This commitment will be
shown by their capacity to:
a. Understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures;
b. Identify issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
today; and
c. Communicate respectfully.
2. Demonstrated ability to understand, develop and deliver a significant program of
work in the area of digital preservation of a major cultural heritage collection in all
media formats along with supporting infrastructure, business specific systems
(software and hardware) and technologies for collection preservation,
management and discoverability, including a proven ability to build organisational
capacity and responsiveness to ensure the AIATSIS Collection program
contributes to achieving organisational goals.
3. Demonstrated understanding of the role of a major specialist collection in meeting
the needs of Indigenous people and researchers and the particular demands of
such a collection including understanding of the challenges posed by Indigenous
Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights and the concerns of Indigenous peoples
when facilitating discoverability of material which contains Indigenous cultural
heritage.
4. Proven ability to shape strategic thinking, provide strategic advice, along with the
ability to solve complex issues and translate strategy into operational goals.
5. Proven skill and experience in cultivating and nurturing productive working
relationships, facilitating cooperation by fostering teamwork, resolving conflict
using appropriate strategies, display integrity and professionalism and a
commitment to achieving results.
6. Demonstrated ability to communicate with influence. Strong interpersonal,
negotiation, liaison and collaborative skills evidenced in interactions with internal
and external clients.
Position Description: 106738502 | 2
Qualifications
Relevant tertiary qualifications to the position essential with postgraduate studies
highly regarded.
Demonstrated experience and skills working with major cultural heritage collections
in a library or archive context essential.
Contact Officer
Yvonne Norris | ph: 02 6246 1174 | email: recruitment@aiatsis.gov.au
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 5:00PM AEST TUESDAY 5 AUGUST 2015
Position Description: 106738502 | 3