ABOUT MUSEUMS VICTORIA:

Museums Victoria is Australia's most visited museum organisation, stewarding world-class collections and experiences across Melbourne Museum, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Scienceworks, Immigration Museum, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and IMAX Melbourne. Our mission connects people with trusted knowledge through research, exhibitions and programs onsite and online.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

As the Senior Business Development Manager, Retail, you will play a pivotal role in driving strategic growth and commercial innovation across Museums Victoria's retail operations. Reporting to the Retail Services Manager, you will lead the development and implementation of new revenue-generating opportunities, including licensing partnerships, wholesale programs, touring exhibition retail stores and pop-up retail initiatives.

Working across the Development & Commercial Operations Division, you will undertake financial modelling, develop business cases, identify commercial opportunities, negotiate strategic partnerships and deliver retail growth initiatives that enhance Museums Victoria's commercial performance and visitor experience. You will also provide senior leadership support to the Retail Services Manager and act in the role when required.

Some of the key duties include: 

• Lead the planning, development and delivery of retail merchandise strategies for touring exhibition stores and pop-up retail activities.
• Identify, evaluate and implement new commercial revenue opportunities, including licensing and wholesale partnerships.
• Develop detailed financial models, business cases and feasibility assessments to support strategic retail growth.
• Establish, develop and manage Museums Victoria's licensing business, including identifying commercial opportunities, developing partnerships and monitoring performance outcomes.
• Coordinate the development and installation of exhibition stores and pop-up retail activations in collaboration with Exhibitions and Design teams.
• Identify new business opportunities and suppliers of third-party merchandise that align with exhibitions, visitor experiences and seasonal programming.
• Undertake strategic projects across the Development & Commercial Operations Division to support revenue growth, product development and commercial objectives.
• Build and maintain productive stakeholder relationships with suppliers, commercial partners and internal business units to maximise revenue and profitability.
• Analyse product performance, return on investment and commercial outcomes to inform retail business decisions and support sales growth.
• Support the Retail Services Manager as a senior member of the Retail team and represent Retail Services at organisational meetings and forums as required.
• Coordinate buying plans with the Retail Product Manager and Retail Administration Assistant to ensure retail deliverables align with operational workflows and business priorities.

The successful applicant will have:

• Significant experience operating and growing retail businesses across multiple sites within the cultural, attractions, tourism or visitor economy sectors.
• Demonstrated success identifying new business opportunities and developing commercially sound business cases that support growth and expansion.
• Strong conceptual, analytical and commercial decision-making skills, including experience undertaking financial modelling and commercial feasibility assessments.
• Comprehensive knowledge of retail operations including merchandising, buying, stock management and product development.
• Significant experience negotiating and managing high-value commercial contracts, partnerships and supplier relationships.
• Highly developed communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a proven ability to advocate for a business, brand or commercial initiative.
• Strong teamwork and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams and business units in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes within a complex commercial setting.
• A Working with Children Check, or willingness to obtain one.

OTHER INFORMATION

This is a full-time fixed-term position for two years.

The salary on offer is Grade 5, Value Range 1, with a base salary of $116,413 per annum plus superannuation.

Employees may be required to work any five days in seven, including occasional weekend work as required. Museums Victoria operates across Melbourne Museum, Immigration Museum, Scienceworks, the Royal Exhibition Building and the Merri-bek Collection Store, and employees may be required to work from any of these locations.

The successful applicant will be required to undergo a Working with Children Check and be assessed as suitable.

OUR COMMITMENT

Museums Victoria is strongly committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We create and maintain a child safe environment and have zero tolerance for child abuse.

Museums Victoria is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate all communities. Museums Victoria is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and people of all ages, gender identities and sexual orientations.

We are committed to an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. If you require adjustments or support to participate, please contact the person listed as the contact for this job ad.

HOW TO APPLY?

To view the position description, visit Careers - Museums Victoria. From our Current Vacancies page, select "All Jobs" and click on the link for this job's listing.

To apply, please click "Apply for this Job" at the bottom of the job listing page.

For more information about this position, please contact Anita Watson at Awatson@museum.vic.gov.au

Please submit the following two documents with your application:

• Your Resume
• A cover letter addressing the following Key Selection Criteria:

1. Significant experience in the successful operation of a retail business across multiple sites within the cultural, attractions or tourism sector, including demonstrated growth achieved through strategic leadership.
2. Demonstrated high-level conceptual and analytical decision-making skills, including the ability to identify new business opportunities and develop sound business cases that support retail growth and expansion.
3. Significant experience negotiating and managing commercially competitive contracts, partnerships and supplier relationships to achieve business objectives..

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 26 November 2026 (11:59pm)