Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

Assistant Director of Public Programs

Job ID 50682

Target hiring range for this position will be between be $61,242 – $72,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:      

The Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University seeks an experienced and dynamic

Assistant Director of Public Programs in its department of Campus and Community Education and Engagement. Working alongside others on the Block’s team, this colleague will have a leading role in implementing the vision set forth in the Block Museum’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, full details of which are available online:

This position reports to the Associate Director of Engagement.

The incumbent will manage the development, implementation, and execution of a wide-ranging scope of cross-disciplinary programs with and for broad audiences, including Northwestern students, faculty, staff, communities off campus, and general public visitors, that use the Block’s collection and exhibitions as a springboard for shared learning and dialogue around issues that matter in our world today. In their role, they will center equity and inclusion; foreground the Block’s interdisciplinary teaching, learning and research mission; engage with Northwestern students, staff, faculty and their ideas; and, by bringing their ideas and creativity to shape a suite of annual programs, advance the museum’s role as catalyst for new ideas, and a convener across disciplines and communities.

The Block Museum of Art prioritizes diversity, equity and inclusion in programs, exhibitions, partnerships, and working practice, by centering the voices and experiences of those who have been historically excluded from or underrepresented in higher education and museum practice. Therefore, the successful candidate will have demonstrated experience with public programs for diverse audiences, working with a range of communities and partners, leading teams and projects, and meaningfully connecting to internal and external stakeholders. They will be committed to creative, intellectually rigorous and collaborative public programming, and will build and maintain productive relationships with museum colleagues, faculty, students, campus and community partners, and the general public. The capacity to imagine and create programs that center dialogue on challenging and complex issues with works of art and build the foundations upon which such conversations take place amongst a broad range of constituencies is essential. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, access and inclusion is required, along with a strong interest in working with Northwestern students and our campus community.

Works occasional nights and weekends.

Specific Responsibilities:

Program Development:

Working with the Associate Director of Engagement, research and suggest speakers, formats, partners and themes for programs that align with departmental and museum mission. Lead planning meetings with internal, campus and external partners to collaboratively generate and shape content for public programs, and target opportunities for others bring their ideas and expertise to the table. Meet regularly with the Block Student Associates to capture their ideas and feedback on programming. In accordance with program planning process and timeline and with the Associate Director, make recommendations for a suite of public programs, and refine scope/capacity.

Program Implementation:

• Oversee all aspects of the program development process and timeline. Engage in regular communication with internal and external program partners, coordinate and lead advance meetings to prepare for programs, and proactively flag areas of concern to Associate Director. With the support of the Engagement Coordinator, manage speaker logistics, calendar and marketing needs, A/V and venue, talking points, and other event details. With Communications, consider audience and outreach goals. With Associate Director, identify opportunities for Student Associates to participate in public programs as emcees, discussants, and contributors.

Program Execution and Follow Up:

• With the administrative and logistical support of the Engagement Coordinator, coordinate day-of event logistics, working with internal museum colleagues to ensure alignment, clear communication, and clarity of staffing roles. Ensure appropriate and timely follow-up with program participants. Gather and maintain data on programs for fundraising, grants, and end-of-year reports.
• Participate as an active member of the Engagement Department team, including through regular communication and collaboration, helping to assess issues of equity and inclusion, and the capacity, scalability, sustainability and mission-alignment of our work. Assist with writing and research for grants and museums communications as requested. Help ensure time is allotted for departmental reflection and evaluation of shared work.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Commitment to activating the Block Museum’s mission, vision, and values for campus and public audiences through public programs.
• Bachelor’s degree OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 3 years’ experience managing public programs in higher education, museums, and/or the cultural sector.
• Demonstrated interest and experience in collaborating with partners to generate and execute multidisciplinary, intellectually rigorous and socially engaged programs on contemporary issues.
• Skilled facilitator with demonstrated experience working with and across diverse communities and multiple perspectives, and a record of work that models inclusive excellence.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, and familiarity with various strategies for communicating ideas and information.
• Excellent customer service, hospitality, and diplomacy skills, including ability to exercise good

judgment in a variety of situations, to extend generosity and welcome at all times, and to act with grace under pressure.

• Excellent organizational, event, and project management skills. Proven ability to take initiative, prioritize, set goals and meet deadlines.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Development of Self/Others – Stays current on technical/professional information; identifies methods for improving work procedures or systems; solicits feedback from customers, peers and superiors.
• Diversity – Creates an environment of understanding and acceptance; solicits input from a wide variety of people and functions; challenges organizational policies and practices that may be exclusionary.
• Efficiency/Dependability – Effectively performs duties and responsibilities; displays attention to detail; supports organizational policies; anticipates demands/pressures of assignments and adjusts accordingly.
• Ethics and Integrity – Follows through on commitments; incorporates honesty, respect and fairness in daily actions; demands trustworthiness from others; demonstrates courage and objectivity.
• Initiative – Exhibits energy and desire to achieve; sets ambitious goals and acts decisively; takes action that no one has requested to improve or enhance job results and avoid problems.
• Innovation/Creativity – Explores alternatives to existing products and services; identifies opportunities to improve procedures and practices; shows imagination.
• Judgment – Demonstrates logic, rationality and objectivity; shows common sense; uses all available information to make educated decisions.
• Multi-Tasking – Demonstrates ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Organization – Plans, organizes and schedules in an efficient, productive manner; anticipates contingencies and pays attention to detail; targets projects or initiatives that require special attention and focuses on key tasks when faced with limited time and/or resources
• Planning – Devises and implements clearly defined strategies to achieve business objectives.

• Political Savvy – Shows awareness of political factors and “hidden agendas;” builds informal network to “wire” information sources and influence.
• Problem Solving – Formulates realistic plans and contingencies and establishes appropriate measurements of anticipated results.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Advanced degree or comparable experience

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

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