ONLY months before the Centenary of Canberra program is announced, director Sarah Hitchcock (pictured) has resigned from the top job to take on a position at the Australian War Memorial.

Ms Hitchcock, who has been with the Centenary of Canberra unit for more than two years, said it was a “personal decision” to leave the position.

“It was a tough decision, I’m sitting in a really good job,” she said. “I am returning to a position that I had previously worked in at the Australian War Memorial, a job that I was caretaker of.”

The position is head of education and visitor services, which includes AWM’s front of house and big events, including Anzac Day.

Ms Hitchcock, who has also worked at Australian Capital Tourism, said she won’t be taking the new position until a replacement has been found, but expects to start in her new role by as late as October – after the Centenary’s full program is announced.

“Most of the heavy-lifting, backend work has been done,” she said. “I’ll miss being part of the program.”

She said she will still be “front and centre” of what is planned for the AWM during Canberra’s Centenary.

The Centenary celebrations are being led by creative director Robyn Archer, who will announce the full program in September.

Currently the Centenary of Canberra team has more than 20 staff.