Head of digital

Posted: 16/05/2024

Closing Date: 09/06/2024

Salary: $132,906.00 - $147,415.00

Job Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Canberra

Job Category: Arts, Culture,Information Communication Technology (ICT),Science, Engineering, Technical

Who we are
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) tells the national story by collecting, preserving, and sharing Australia's rich history of audiovisual media and the cultural experience platforms of our time.

The NFSA collection is diverse, dynamic and often surprising, representing moving image and sound production from its earliest days to the present. From television to TikTok, vintage to video, polyester film to podcast, we collect and preserve materials from the analogue era through to the formats of the 20th century, and now the assets of the digital age.

In 2021, items from the NFSA’s collection were viewed more than 121 million times nationwide, making it one of the nation's most vital cultural resources. The institution is investing in a comprehensive digital transformation program, during which more items in our care will be digitised for preservation and become more readily searchable and accessible to all Australians.

Who we’re looking for
The Head of Digital Preservation is responsible for progressing the NFSA’s overall digital preservation strategy and leading the teams that contribute to its delivery. The Digital Preservation team manages the NFSA’s Media Asset Management and Collection Administration Systems, creates and manages preservation workflows, conducts hands-on digital preservation and forensic activity across a diverse range of media from early video games to film, video and audio files, and contemporary audiovisual formats such as VR and social video, co-designs the integration of collection data with other business systems, conducts training and develops documentation. Situated within the Digital branch, the Digital Preservation department supports curatorial and accessioning staff and activities, collaborates with digitisation and conservation teams, and proactive engages with colleagues in the Digital branch and across the organisation.

This role is crucial to our digital transformation ambitions and our commitment to creating public value and telling the national story through our all activities. The successful candidate will contribute to the NFSA’s national, regional and international leadership with regards 21st century digital preservation and archiving practices.

Please note: This position is based at NFSA HQ in Acton, ACT.

Job Description

Under the broad direction, the Head of Digital Preservation will undertake the following duties:

• Lead, develop and support the day-to-day functions of two functional teams, monitoring progress and following through to deliver quality outcomes.
• Provide leadership and mentorship in complex problem solving and issues management for digital preservation.
• Maintaining high levels of service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead project teams for optimal return-on-investment and return-on-effort.
• Manage cross-organisation initiatives that support the management of collection metadata and digitised and born digital media, in partnership with internal stakeholders.
• Develop and manage a range of internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• Develop, in conjunction with key stakeholders, and deliver a progressive digital preservation strategy within the broader strategic direction of the organisation.
• Foster and promote a culture of collaboration to facilitate continuous improvement and innovation across the NFSA.
• Ensure relevant digital preservation initiatives are fully integrated into the strategic-planning process for leadership commitment, resource allocation and execution.
• Manage the Digital Preservation cost centre.
• Participate in, and sometimes lead, relevant NFSA working groups.
• Deliver regular reporting, insights and analysis of key performance data.

Selection Criteria
In relation to the ‘Job Details’ listed above, concisely demonstrate your skills, experience and achievements against each of the following areas:

• Extensive experience in digital archiving settings.

• Outstanding track record of operational delivery.

• Strong communication and technical storytelling skills across a variety of mediums.

• Excellent experience in managing people to achieve agreed outcomes.

• Excellent interpersonal, relationship building and stakeholder management skills.

• An interest in technology and audiovisual culture.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated capability through past employment experience and relevant tertiary and/or industry qualifications is required for this role.
• Demonstrated experience managing small teams, while employing a coaching and mentoring approach to achieve high performance.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience facilitating workshops.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment as a leader and mentor.
• Experience in Digital Preservation, Audiovisual Quality Control, DAMS/MAMS Management, AV Codecs, Cloud/File Delivery Platforms, Preservation Workflows and Workflow Automation.

Assessment Process
The assessment process for this position may also include:

• A written application addressing the selection criteria outlining your background, capabilities and experiences (1000-words)
• Resume of no more than 3 pages
• Interview with a task
• Referee checking.

Eligibility
To be eligible for this position you must:

• Be an Australian Citizen; and
• Satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check.

The other eligibility that may be included in a job would also include the following:

• Obtain and maintain an Australian Government Baseline Security Clearance.
• Obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People registration.

NFSA Cultural Values

We welcome and encourage applications from people with disability, the LGBTIQ+ communities, from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly environment. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for these principles in theory and practice.

Contact Officer
Tony Hamlyn | EA to the Chief Digital Officer
E:
P: