Department of Public Programs
Director of Public Programs

The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust is seeking a seasoned professional to manage its Public Programs. Created as a living memorial to those who perished during the Holocaust, the Museum honors those who died by celebrating their lives – cherishing the traditions that they embraced, examining their achievements and faith, and affirming the vibrant worldwide Jewish community that is their legacy today. New generations are taught how to recognize and fight contemporary instances of injustice and oppression.

Job Objective: The Director of Public Programs is responsible for the planning and implementation of all Museum public programming activities that promote, explore, and enhance the Museum’s mission. These include historical symposia, high-profile tributes and commemorations, programs in conjunction with special exhibitions, concerts, family programs, film retrospectives and premieres, and other activities related to the Core Exhibition, the Holocaust, Jewish culture and heritage, and contemporary Jewish issues. The Director will promote the Museum’s mission through intellectually stimulating cultural programming featuring world-class speakers including Nobel-prize winning authors, scientists, academics, historians, politicians, filmmakers, musicians, and leaders in the professions of business, law, medicine, and interfaith clergy.

In addition to running Edmond J. Safra Hall, the Museum’s state of the art 375-seat theater, the director works closely with all other departments of the Museum including Development, Education, Communications, and Collections and Exhibitions to research programming ideas, seek funders and partnership opportunities that promote all Museum initiatives, write marketing materials and oversee audience outreach.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
* Researches and develops program ideas based on themes from the Museum’s special exhibitions and core collections. Identifies appropriate sources and talent and pursues them.
* Manages and continues to improve systems for creating, scheduling, promoting, supporting, and executing the Museum’s Programs.
* Prepares seasonal programming proposals for presentation to both internal and external Museum committees.
* Maintains and develops relationship with Public Programs committee, donors, and members of the Board.
* Manages all logistical preparations for programs, including, but not limited to: contacting and enlisting talent, preparing contracts, completing financial paperwork both with talent and with the Museum’s Accounting dept., making travel and hotel arrangements, coordinating equipment rental, arranging greenroom catering along with any other requirements dictated by talent.
* Performs outreach and maintains a high level of interaction with talent including, but not limited to, artists, public intellectuals and subjects of Museum exhibitions.
* Coordinates marketing with Communications Dept for programs, including writing/proofing copy for the events calendar, publicity and email flyers, newspaper and magazine advertising, postcards, direct marketing of events, creating and maintaining databases for flyer mailings and e-mail blasts; interacts with artists to gather appropriate materials for publicity and marketing; proofs and, in some cases, writes press releases; secures artist approval on said press releases and advertising; suggests potential outlets for publicity and marketing
* Acts as stage manager and head talent wrangler for evening and weekend programs, aids in equipment and facility setup and upkeep, and greets and prepares talent for performance.
* Maintains annual budget for public programming, makes all budgetary preparations for programs, manages 1.5 employees, and liaises with colleagues across the museum.
* Participates in Senior Management group of the Museum, helping to set policy and procedure.

Requirements:
Candidates must have: BA in related field; 5+ years experience in theater/performance/program production with increasing responsibility; knowledge, understanding, and deep interest in Jewish culture and the Holocaust; excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to work
as part of a team and on many projects simultaneously, and an abiding commitment to the Museum and its mission. Experience in the non-profit world preferred. Must be willing to work evening and Sunday hours on a regular basis. The Director supervises the Producer of Public Programs and a part-time program coordinator, and reports to the Deputy Director of the
Museum.

Send resume and letter of interest, including salary requirements, to Human Resources, Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, 36 Battery Place, New York, NY 10280; fax: (646) 437-4250; email: humanresources[at]mjhnyc[dot]org.