Regional Gallery Director (Lismore) | Parental Leave Cover

About Us

Our vision is powered by a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of services we offer to our community. Today, Lismore is flourishing, and it's the perfect time for those who live, work, and play here to embrace and celebrate everything that makes Lismore so special. 

We’re just 45 minutes from Byron Bay and only two and a half hours from Brisbane. With its outstanding natural beauty, subtropical climate, a diverse and colourful community, close proximity to some of Australia's best beaches, a major regional hospital, quality schools and a bustling retail and cultural precinct, Lismore is an enviable place to work and call home.

We warmly welcome individuals who bring fresh perspectives and unique skills, helping to enrich our collective vision for a vibrant and thriving community.  

About the Lismore Regional Gallery:

Lismore Regional Gallery has been a cornerstone of cultural life in the Northern Rivers region for over seventy years. As one of the longest-running art institutions in NSW, the gallery has consistently championed the transformative power of art. Our work encompasses exhibitions and presenting contemporary art across all disciplines, commissioning new works, curating inclusive and dynamic public programs, and caring for and reinterpreting a growing permanent collection. We foster innovation and progressive risk-taking to captivate our audience and deepen community connection to contemporary art. 

Lismore Regional Gallery is a creative initiative of Lismore City Council supported by the New South Wales Government through Create NSW and the Friends of the Gallery.

Each year, 170,000 people visit and engage with the gallery program of exhibitions, events, and public programs that reflect and enrich our community.

About this Position:

Are you passionate about contemporary art, community engagement, and cultural leadership?

We’re seeking an agile and experienced leader for an opportunity from October 2025 – October 2026 (parental leave cover), to lead the strategic direction and daily operations of Lismore Regional Gallery and the surrounding Quadrangle (Quad) precinct.

This is a pivotal role within Council’s operations and an exciting chance to contribute meaningfully to Lismore’s cultural life.

What we trust you to deliver:

• Lead the strategic and operational direction of the Gallery and Quadrangle.
• Manage the delivery of a high-quality creative program of exhibitions and events.
• Provide inspirational leadership to the staff and volunteers.
• Maintain the development of the Permanent Collection.
• Ensure the Gallery and Quad are welcoming, accessible and well presented.
• Support and implement Council’s Public Art Policy.
• Undertake staff management including Performance Appraisals and Skills Assessments.
• Researching, preparing and pursuing grant funding applications/submissions for Lismore Regional Gallery, Lismore Quadrangle and associated projects.
• Acquit and report on creative program to funding bodies.
• Uphold Council’s policies and procedures, including WH&S and public safety.

What we can offer you:

• Full-time, 12-month fixed-term position with work/life balance - enjoy working 70 hours per fortnight, with a monthly RDO.
• Employee Assistance and Health & Wellbeing Programs incl annual flu prevention.
• Access to Fitness Passport and generous salary sacrifice arrangements.
• Training and development opportunities. 

What you will need to be successful:

• Tertiary qualifications in Fine Arts / Arts Administration / Curatorial Studies / Museum Studies or equivalent, together with demonstrated extensive experience in gallery operations and functions.
• Extensive experience in managing workloads to comply with tight deadlines in a high-pressure work environment with a high volume of work.
• Sound business planning, organisational, financial, and high-level report writing and administrative skills.
• Demonstrated leadership/managerial experience.
• Current Criminal History Check and NSW Working with Children Check
• Current C Class Driver's licence

Full position description:  Please click here to review the position description and use your resume and application responses in the application form below to demonstrate your ability to fulfil the position's responsibilities.

Full-time, 12-month fixed-term opportunity: 70 hours per fortnight

Salary: An attractive salary on offer for the right candidate  

Closing date: Friday 1 August at 2:00pm 

Contact: For more information or confidential discussion regarding the opportunity, please contact Ashleigh Ralph, Regional Gallery Director, on 0427 270 064.

Conditions of Employment: Conditions of employment are in the Local Government (State) Award and relevant Council policy, procedures and agreements.

Pre-employment Screening: Prior to employment, there will be a series of pre-employment checks that may include, health assessments, validation of right to work in Australia, validation of qualifications and licences, criminal history checks, psychometric assessments and referee checks.

We care about people as individuals and are committed to diversity, inclusion, and new ways of working. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, faith, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.