Senior Manager, Special Collections

132677 - $140276 p.a. + 17% super + leave loading

Full-time continuing position with salary in the range $132,647 - $140,276 (HEW 9), plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. Rare senior opportunity focusing on special collections, offering excellent conditions for an experienced leader with a strong handle on leveraging technology to enhance collection management and access. Work with university archives and nationally significant collections in literature, art, architecture and history. The ideal candidate will possess extensive leadership skills with experience and interest in the use of technology to improve management of and access to collections. As a Senior Manager, Special Collections, you will lead a new, integrated group encompassing the University Archives, Fryer Library, and Digitisation teams within UQ Library's Collections and Digital Services directorate. This senior role requires a forward-thinking leader to cultivate a collaborative team culture, ensuring exceptional collection stewardship and client service, while actively contributing to the UQ Library's strategic planning and management. Key focus areas include preparing for the Fryer Library Centenary, responding to new Public Records Act (2023) requirements, expanding collection reach and impact both on-campus and online, maturing digital preservation approaches, capital works, and enhancing access to collections for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to support truth-telling and language revitalisation.

Key responsibilities will include :

Strategic Leadership & Vision Provide clear vision and direction for special collections, ensuring alignment with Library and University strategies for learning, research, community engagement, and Reconciliation. This includes active membership of the Library Executive, contributing to strategic development, planning, and representing the Library at various levels. Operational Management & Compliance Oversee all operational aspects, from problem-solving and planning to managing staff plans and budgets, ensuring high-quality collection management and compliance with the Public Records Act (2023) and Queensland State Archives guidelines. Provide effective leadership and guidance to teams, fostering a culture of connectivity, collaboration, and accountability.Lead people through change with an empathetic approach, supervising and coaching managers to ensure high-standard, user-focused services. Stakeholder Engagement & Infrastructure Oversight Actively influence and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders to enhance special collections. This includes overseeing the design, development, and sustainable maintenance of collection management systems, preservation infrastructure, and physical spaces. Digital Transformation Act as the business owner for relevant digital platforms, collaborating with internal and external technology partners to ensure systems meet evolving business requirements and user needs. About You Postgraduate qualification with extensive experience in leading and managing special collections. Demonstrated knowledge of sector trends and legislative frameworks (including recordkeeping, privacy, copyright, and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property), ensuring alignment with research, learning, student experience, and community engagement. Demonstrated experience leading the application of digital technologies to improve management of and access to special collections. Proven ability to communicate vision, set goals, and motivate teams to deliver client-centred service excellence. This includes a strong understanding of project management, service management, and evidence-based practice. Highly developed liaison, communication (oral, written, report, and bid), negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated excellence in engaging, consulting, and interacting with diverse internal and external stakeholders to promote the Library and its services. Demonstrated excellence in leading, motivating, and developing high-performing, psychologically safe teams, fostering a culture of recognition and ongoing development. Proven cultural competency and commitment to Reconciliation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a strong awareness of organisational ethics, risk management, and WHS. You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment, and may be required to complete background checks including, criminal history and education checks. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

About UQ As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as :

26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave, 17% superannuation contributions, 17.5% annual leave loading. Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start / finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight. Health and wellness discounts - fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family. Cheap parking, On campus childcare and Salary packaging options. Want to Apply? All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered :

Cover letter (max 3 pages) addressing the 'About You' section Resume For more information about this opportunity, please contact Sam Searle, Director, Collections and Digital Services at . For application queries, please contact stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Applications close Sunday 29 June 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number - R-52372). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week starting 7 July 2025.

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and / or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don't meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

We know one of our strengths as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion , fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to for accessibility support or adjustments.

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid / affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.

How do your skills match this job? How do your skills match this job? Sign in and update your profile to get insights. What started as Queensland's first university in 1909, with just three faculties and 83 students, has grown into university ranked in the world's top 50 that is renowned for being a leader in teaching and research.

When you join the University of Queensland, you're joining a community that actively strives toward creating change right across the world every day. From science and sustainability to health and humanities, our researchers are finding solutions to the world's biggest challenges. Our award-winning teachers are recognised for empowering our students to thrive as innovative thinkers and grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

What started as Queensland's first university in 1909, with just three faculties and 83 students, has grown into university ranked in the world's top 50 that is renowned for being a leader in teaching and research.

When you join the University of Queensland, you're joining a community that actively strives toward creating change right across the world every day. From science and sustainability to health and humanities, our researchers are finding solutions to the world's biggest challenges. Our award-winning teachers are recognised for empowering our students to thrive as innovative thinkers and grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

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