MANAGER OF TOURS & GALLERY INTERPRETATION
Job Posting

Position Title:
Department: Education
Supervisor:
Director of Education
Direct Reports:
Education Admin Assistant
~ 30 volunteer docents and 6 freelance educators
Full Time (Weekend and evening work as needed)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Working with and reporting to the Director of Education the newly created position of Manager
of Tours and Gallery Interpretation will serve as a catalyst for connecting museum audiences
to our exhibitions and permanent collection through a range of informal and formal gallery
based learning approaches. This position requires working effectively with cross departmental
teams and external partners to develop, coordinate, implement, manage and evaluate a broad
range of interpretive methods and strategies designed for visitors of all ages and abilities.
Responsibilities include overall management of the museum’s school programs, curriculum
materials, adult tours, tours for special needs audiences, university partnerships, interactive
gallery activities, family gallery guides, audio guides, interpretive videos and other technological
and educational tools designed to enhance the visitor experience and that help make MAM’s
exhibitions relevant and meaningful to diverse audiences.

Essential Responsibilities:

TOUR & SCHOOL PROGRAM
Develop tour themes and research, produce and evaluate curriculum materials for permanent
collection and special exhibitions.

Actively build and maintain relationships with school and community representatives

Conduct ongoing program evaluation of tour programs and interpretive efforts using qualitative
and quantitative methodologies. Prepare reports and compile statistics.

Foster public and student engagement grounded in inquiry, dialogue, creative expression and
collaboration.

Work closely and cooperatively with private and public schools systems to develop tour
programs that compliment and enhance educational goals in the region.

Plan, implement and evaluate professional development programs for educators including
educator evenings, teacher workshops and summer courses for teachers.

Expand museum partnerships with regional universities actively pursuing and developing ways
for MAM’s galleries to be a learning laboratory for students and faculty.

Develop and implement plans to expand adult and senior tour participation.

DOCENTS & EDUCATORS
Responsible for the recruitment, training, coordination and evaluation of the Museums
volunteer docents and paid educators.

Supervise the docents and museum educators to ensure smooth operation of all aspects of
tours and gallery interpretation.

Effectively manage and mentor staff, museum educators, docents, interns and volunteers.

Manage all aspects of the Docent Training Program including assessing the training needs,
scheduling guest speakers and leading training sessions.

Substituting for absentee docents, museum educators and art teachers as needed.

GALLERY INTERPRETAION

Serve as the Education department liaison to the curatorial department and provide leadership
in coordinating interpretive efforts across departments.

Recommend, prioritize, develop and implement interpretive formats and strategies based on
current knowledge of audience engagement, museum best practice and emerging technology.

Assist in gathering formative and evaluative audience feedback to better understand audience
needs.

Develop gallery/family guide activities and other support materials for exhibitions.

Manage the creation and maintaining of Family Learning Lab.

Collaborate with multiple departments to plan and manage the production of multimedia
resources including videos, audio guides, and web components using new media, technology
and social media to benefit and enhance visitor experience and learning.

Review and make suggestions for curator generated text panels and label copy.

AUDIENCE BUILDING

Work closely with marketing team to proactively grow and expand volume of tours through
relationship building, community outreach, networking, partnerships and expanded marketing
efforts. Strategically target audiences and communities and monitor on regular basis efforts to
increase their participation.

Manage attendance and fiscal records and preparing reports of group tour statistics

REPORTING & ADMIN RELATED

Prepare, monitor and manages the budget for tours and gallery interpretation.

Develop long range goals and interim objectives for tours and interpretive programs.

Work closely with Grants Manager to provide content and statistics as needed for grant
applications and reports

Serve on cross functional teams with a variety of departments including development,
curatorial, museum store marketing and outside partners in support of the institutional
initiatives.

IN THE FIELD
Continue personal professional development. Be a dynamic contributor to the field building
strong connections with museum and education peers.

Serve as a confident and effective spokesperson for MAM on local, regional and national level.

Qualifications:

Education and Training: Masters degree in art education, museum education, museum studies
art history, studio art or related humanities field or equivalent combination of education and
experience.

Work Experience:
Three to five years teaching and/or museum experience. Demonstrated experience teaching
from works of art with success connecting to a broad range of audiences including adults,
children, families, teachers and students. Prior Supervisory and management experience
preferred

Skills and Abilities:
Effective writing, presentation and public speaking skills are required for this position.
Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills

Strong organizational skills; must be able to manage numerous projects simultaneously and to
work independently in a busy office.

Knowledge of contemporary art practice and experience working with artists preferred.

Knowledgeable of K-12 curriculum and the needs of teachers in order to provide meaningful
educational programs.

Proficient gallery and/or classroom teacher that is familiar with current education theories and
trends, technologies and evaluation methods

Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse communities and
organizations preferred.

Ability to manage a budget and produce statistical reports. Knowledge of Microsoft word, excel,
PowerPoint required.

Forward thinking, dynamic individual who takes initiative and is both a strategic thinker and
solid implementer who is committed to making art accessible to a broad public through new
and innovative strategies.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical demands: occasional long work week with evening and/or weekend events; sitting,
walking, standing, climbing stairs, hearing, lifting no more than 5 – 10 lbs.

Special environmental factors: Moderate physical Activity

To Apply:
Send cover letter and resume to:

Gary Schneider
Director of Education
Montclair Art Museum
3 South Mountain Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042

Email: gschneider@montclairartmuseum.org

Email submissions are encouraged.
Please indicate “MANAGER OF TOURS & GALLERY INTERPRETATION” in the subject line

NO PHONE CALLS
Fax (973) 746-0536