Engagement Manager [Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Evanston, IL]

Description

PLEASE APPLY TO THIS POSITION VIA NORTHWESTERN’S HR PORTAL:

http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/careers/index.html

CLICK ON “EXTERNAL APPLICATION” AND FIND THE JOB BY SEARCHING “ENGAGEMENT MANAGER”

Job Summary:

The Engagement Manager reports to the Associate Director of Engagement and is responsible for programs and initiatives focusing on student and campus life and the local community. The position will direct student and community engagement and partner in developing and implementing programs and partnerships that foreground the Block’s teaching and learning mission, its emphases on interdisciplinary and cross-cultural programs, and its relevance to the campus and local community. This individual’s primary responsibilities are to 1) develop student-centered programs and initiatives, 2) hone and implement a student and community docent program, 3) research, plan and coordinate production of campus and community programs, 4) foster relationships to make the Block’s work meaningful to audiences beyond the university, and 5) assist in running the museum’s active Engagement Department.

The Engagement Manager will serve a critical role in a department increasing the museum’s integration into the fabric of the university and local community. The incumbent must be creative and enjoy working within a small, entrepreneurial team that is mission-driven, results-driven, and community oriented. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in teaching and mentoring students, managing teams and projects, leading partnerships with individuals and organizations, and meaningfully connecting to a diverse array of constituencies. The successful candidate will be committed to a collaborative and innovative approach to developing engaging museum experiences. He/she will be committed to art, education, interdisciplinarity and progressive museum learning; possess the ability to tackle large projects independently; and thrive in a fast-paced environment. The Engagement Manager will build and maintain productive relationships with museum colleagues, student life staff, faculty, K-12 teachers, students, campus and community partners, and the general public to meet the museum’s mission and vision.

Requirements

Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement student engagement at the museum, including developing relevant programs, projects and initiatives with and for students (working with student life, student clubs, campus departments and units), mentoring students (including docents, student workers, and volunteers), directing student worker projects, and serving as a key staff liaison for the Student Advisory Board.
• Develop and implement gallery teaching, including managing tour program and training student and community docents. Work with curatorial colleagues to develop contextual material for exhibition content and share in turn with docents. Provide requisite skills for docents to teach effectively. Manage Engagement Coordinator and student worker in scheduling tours.
• In tandem with the Associate Director of Engagement, and with a focus on student and community engagement, co-develop intellectually solid and creative programs. Work with museum colleagues, campus and community partners to conceive cross-disciplinary content and programs to enliven discussion and expand interpretation of collections and exhibitions, as well as foster dialogue on issues of relevance to campus and the community. Partner with Engagement Coordinator in project management of these programs, workshops, and events at the Block, including, but not limited to: management of planning logistics, serving as a liaison for campus and community partners and program participants, and regular on-site event program staffing and management.
• Foster and maintain relationships with relevant community constituencies and partners, including with K-12 teachers, community groups, targeted audiences, and new audiences.
• Assist in creating and managing budgets for programs and projects. Work with Communications Manager to implement evaluation for tours and public programs.
• Assist with writing and research for grants and museum communications as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s in art history, art education or related humanities field. Advanced degree in related field a plus.
• Experience in arts education and programming, in particular, at least three years of experience in a museum and/or university environment.
• Experience managing and/or working closely with students preferred.
• Teaching experience (formal and/or informal). Experience working with university students and K-12 students and teachers preferred.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with public speaking and familiarity with strategies for communicating ideas and information.
• Excellent customer service, hospitality, and diplomacy skills, including ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, exhibit perseverance, and act with grace under pressure.
• Self-directed with the ability to take initiative and anticipate actions needed.
• Ability to be a team player in an active museum environment on a university campus with diverse partners and audiences.
• Excellent organizational, event and project management skills. Proven ability to set goals and meet deadlines; implement programs as well as to see the big picture. Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize short-term and long-term projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ideal candidates will have: an outgoing personality, attention to detail, an ability to work under pressure, a positive attitude, enjoy contributing to a team, be a self-starter, flexible, and with a sense of humor.

As per Northwestern University policy, this position requires a criminal background check.  Successful applicants will need to submit to a criminal background check prior to employment.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities.