The Asian Art Museum offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced and talented manager to design and implement a range of research and evaluation projects for the museum to support exhibitions, programs, and museum initiatives.

Working collaboratively with a wide cross section of museum professionals, the Manager will develop evaluation protocols and instruments including topic testing for special exhibitions, front-end inputs from key audiences on gallery redesign, education program analysis and needs testing, format prototyping of exhibition components, and summative evaluation of the visitor experience through quarterly exit surveys, timing and tracking, and other measurements.

A good cultural fit for this position is someone who is excited about the museum’s mission, loves to learn, and is flexible, positive, and committed to excellence.

Examples of Duties

  1. Collaborates with staff cross-departmentally to identify projects and advises upon/plans their execution; sets evaluation outcome goals; designs research and evaluation related to the visitor experience in the galleries, wayfinding, public and school programs, and special exhibitions.
  2. Conducts literature reviews; implements evaluation through collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; prepares and presents findings.
  3. Leads the institution in establishing broader evaluation goals and protocols; manages stakeholder expectations, develops and delivers reports on findings and key metrics; reports out to stakeholders and the field in both written and verbal presentations; serves as clearing-house/spokesperson for the museum for inquiries from outside the museum about our visitors.
  4. Manages contract evaluation consultants, evaluation interns, and data collectors.
  5. Writes proposals as necessary to fund or initiate research, evaluation, or special projects.
  6. Develops relationships with other museums and related institutions to ensure access and links to other data systems; remains abreast of the field in best practices, using experimentation, contemporary theory and visitor research, prototyping and expertise to identify key issues, concepts, strategies and tools that ensure relevance and visitor engagement.
  7. Serves as a resource for the museum on best practices in museum evaluation strategies and protocols; trains and mentors data collectors, volunteers, and staff in evaluation protocols; assists and guides other departments in their own evaluation efforts, as possible.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (MA/MS or PhD) in social psychology, behavioral science, museum studies
  • Three (3) years of experience in evaluation of museum exhibitions, education programs, or visitor research at a museum or other informal learning institution; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
  • Two (2) years of experience studying visitor behavior, such as literature reviews, data collection, data management, data analysis, and interpretation
  • Working knowledge of web-based survey technology, qualitative data analysis software, and project planning software; knowledge of SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) very desirable
  • Solid knowledge of visitors studies in museums, learning theories, audience segmentation
  • Good understanding of qualitative and quantitative methods, and how to employ a mixed method design
  • Highly developed research skills including question development, study design, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research results.
  • Proven project management skills; ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple projects simultaneously
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially with diverse audiences; ability to communicate data analysis and findings to non-specialists
  • Stellar interpersonal skills that represent the museum well with the public; comfort and approachability when addressing visitors of all walks of life for research

Compensation

Competitive Salary and Benefit Package

Application Procedure

Please apply below now or send a letter of interest and resume ASAP to:

HUMAN RESOURCES
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
FAX: 415.861.2359

± The Asian Art Museum is one of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian art and culture. Home to more than 18,000 works of art from over 40 Asian countries, we strive to be a catalyst for discovery, dialogue, and inspiration. With Asia as our lens and art as our cornerstone, we spark connections across cultures and through time, igniting curiosity, conversation, and creativity.±

The Asian Art Museum embraces diversity in its mission, programs, and staff.