Manager, Commercial, Events and Tourism

The position

The Manager Commercial, Events and Tourism has responsibility for implementing and overseeing the strategic direction of the National Portrait Gallery’s commercial, tourism and event management functions. The position spearheads the generation of revenue through commercial activities, partnerships and hospitality offerings that are aligned with and enhance visitor engagement with the Gallery’s mission and strategic objectives.

Working in the Access and Learning team and in close collaboration with the Manager Visitor Experience and the Manager Learning Programs, the Manager Commercial, Events and Tourism will provide strategy, direction, and vision for the NPG’s tourism business, onsite revenue generation, café and event contract management including venue and event operations. The National Portrait Gallery’s café and catering services and venue hire arrangements are contracted to an external supplier. This role is fundamental to the National Portrait Gallery’s success as a significant cultural institution and will support the NPG’s strategic priorities by enhancing visitation, engagement and sustainability. It is a leadership role, directly supervising the Bookings and Schools Experience Coordinator, and contributing to the Gallery’s management culture.

The successful candidate will bring high energy levels and a genuine passion for connecting with people. They will have an interest in tourism and an understanding of how to connect visitors to Canberra to the National Portrait Gallery through innovative partnerships, promotions, experiences and events.

Specific Tasks

• Contribute to the development of an innovative and evolving destination and visitor engagement strategy that is a sector standout and is key to National Portrait Gallery (NPG) meeting its strategic deliverables. 
• Oversee the strategic direction of the NPG’s commercial, events and tourism business functions and build new commercial partnerships and initiatives including wholesale packages and commissionable experiences. 
• Manage the Bookings and School Experience Coordinator and critical business systems including the Book Canberra Excursions Portal and the Gallery’s Customer Relationship Management database – Tessitura.
• Take responsibility for the management and oversight of public spaces at the NPG including events, café and venue hire contract management.
• Work with other Directorates to provide operational and logistical support for high profile Gallery events including exhibition launches and donor functions. 
• Work collaboratively across NPG harnessing expertise to progress commercial initiatives that bring visitors together with NPG’s art and programming.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of commercial business functions, strategically resetting as required.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the Gallery’s strategic objectives and how these inform and adjust the work of the Access and Learning Directorate.
• Provide high quality and relevant professional advice, including formal written reports, to the Executive.
• Develop and maintain an up-to-date understanding and a network within the cultural and tourism sector and advocate for the NPG as a significant cultural institution locally and nationally.
• Credibly represent the NPG internally, at public events, and in the sector
• Participate in and contribute to organisation wide working groups and initiatives.

Section Criteria

1.       Demonstrated experience working in the public environment including seamless attraction, venue or event presentation and management.

2.       Proven experience in contract management and the ability to work with external suppliers to implement initiatives that maximise visitation, satisfaction and audience engagement.

3.       The ability to oversee the use of relevant business systems and demonstrated understanding of sector data and the ability to translate this into initiatives that increase visitation and revenue generation.

4.       Proven experience leading, mentoring and working collaboratively to ensure quality outcomes are achieved.

5.       Interest in and understanding of art and culture.

6.       Highly developed interpersonal, emotional intelligence and communication skills, including the ability to liaise and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders, build and maintain productive working relationships; and demonstrate a capacity for sound judgement and effective leadership.

7.       Demonstrated knowledge and capacity to apply the APS Values and Code of Conduct, participative management practices, workplace diversity principles, child safety practices and workplace health and safety within a work and team environment.

Applicant Information 

In no more than two A4 pages, please tell us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for this job.

Email your application, a current CV and the application coversheet to hrservices@npg.gov.au