The Des Moines Art Center is a museum, art school, and sculpture park that welcomes on average 350,000 visitors annually. One of the oldest cultural organizations in the state and a beacon of inspiration, innovation, and learning in the capital city of Iowa, the Art Center stewards an exceptional collection of art and architecture, stimulates profound conversations about art, ideas, and society, and inspires the creativity of new generations of artists. It exists to catalyze meaningful encounters with art and people and build creative, empathetic communities.

Today the Art Center seeks an inaugural Chief Operating Officer (COO) to work alongside the John and Mary Pappajohn Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to bring its mission to life. The ideal candidate is a dynamic, inclusive, flexible, action-oriented leader and an outstanding communicator who brings an innovative, twenty-first century perspective to operational management. As one of the Art Center's most important ambassadors, they will be skilled at building and stewarding relationships inside and outside the institution. They are self-directed leaders and skilled managers with the ability to coach, develop, and collaborate with teams. Exemplifying the highest ethical and professional standards, they model integrity, enthusiasm, and a commitment to continuous learning. The strongest candidates will possess a love of arts, architecture, and culture and an appreciation for the value they bring to communities.

Position Summary

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) leads the Art Center's day-to-day operations across multiple departments, including buildings and grounds; the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park; security and visitor experience; information technology, art installation; the Art School; the Museum Shop; Events and Rentals, and the Art Center Café. The COO will develop policies and systems to ensure operational efficiency and sustainability as well as safety, compliance, and excellent communication. The COO is a highly visible presence at the Art Center, serving as a resource and sounding board for guests, team members, and donors alike.

Reporting Relationship

The COO reports to the John and Mary Pappajohn Executive Director/CEO and works closely with the Board of Trustees and local business and community leaders. The COO collaborates across multiple departments, serving as lead representative for Operations, and is a trusted colleague to the CFO, with whom they work closely.

This position provides leadership to the Director of Facilities; the Director of Security and Visitor Experience; the Manager of Information Technology; the Director of Installations; the Senior Studio Arts Manager; the Senior Retail Operations Manager; and the Senior Events Manager. They also collaborate closely with the contractual partners who run the Art Center Café.

Essential Functions:

Buildings and Grounds

The Facilities Department is responsible for the daily maintenance, upkeep, and long-term preservation of the Art Center's buildings, grounds, and mechanical, electrical, and environmental systems. The COO will provide structure, support, and leadership to the Director of Facilities to maintain and preserve the Art Center's three architectural landmarks and their surrounding grounds in Greenwood Park. With this team and the CEO, the COO will lead institutional efforts to develop and implement capital projects, historic preservation efforts, equipment purchases, and improvements, collaborating as appropriate with consultants and the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the board.

Security and Visitor Experience

The Security and Visitor Experience team is responsible for ensuring overall safety, security, accessibility, and hospitality at the Des Moines Art Center. This team, which includes security officers, visitor experience staff, and frontline supervisors, is tasked with protecting the campus, employees, visitors, and art collection. The COO will provide structure, support and leadership to the Director of Security and Visitor Experience, advising on the implementation of the Art Center's comprehensive security and visitor experience protocols. They will advise closely on training, collaboration, and communication among the various public-facing staff. With the Director of Security and Visitor Experience and the Senior Director of People and Culture, the COO will be responsible for operationalizing and continuously improving the Art Center's customer service philosophy, fostering excellence in hospitality and accessibility.

Information Technology

The Information Technology Department is responsible for the planning, implementation, and maintenance of the Art Center's technology infrastructure, systems, and digital security. The COO will provide structure, support, and leadership to the Manager of IT to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient technology services that support daily operations and strategic goals. The COO will lead institutional efforts to assess and improve technology systems, manage digital risk, implement new tools and platforms, and support cross-departmental technology needs.

Installations

The Installations team plays a key role in stewarding and maintaining the Art Center's collection of approximately 6,300 works of art displayed across its three buildings as well as the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. This team is responsible for expertly moving, storing, installing, and displaying art as well as for designing special exhibitions. The COO will provide structure, support and leadership to the Director of Installations, helping source equipment and tools, advise on best practices, and protect one of the Art Center's most important resources.

Art School

The Art School offers a diverse range of classes, workshops, and camps for youth and adult students throughout the year, providing a safe, welcoming, and enriching learning environment that fosters creativity and skill development. The school plays a vital role in community engagement and serves as an important source of earned revenue for the Art Center. The COO will provide structure, support and leadership to the Senior Studio Arts Manager to help maximize attendance and revenue opportunities while ensuring that the school maintains high standards of education, safety, hospitality, and operational efficiency and is fully aligned with the Art Center's mission and programming.

Museum Shop

The Museum Shop offers a curated selection of art-related merchandise, books, and unique gifts that enhance the visitor experience while generating earned revenue. The COO will provide structure, support, and leadership to the Senior Retail Operations Manager to maximize the Shop's revenue potential and ensure the alignment of its activities with the Art Center's overall mission, operations, programming, and visitor engagement goals.

Rentals & Events

The Rentals and Events department provides unique, mission-aligned experiences through facility rentals, private events, and internal programming support, contributing to both community engagement and earned revenue. The COO will provide structure, support, and leadership to the Senior Events Manager to optimize the department's performance. This includes ensuring efficient processes, high-quality service, and alignment with the Art Center's mission, values, and visitor experience objectives, while maximizing the use of spaces.

Art Center Café

The Art Center Café, operated by la mie, provides visitors with a welcoming space to enjoy food and beverages, serving as an important amenity that enhances the overall visitor experience and drives earned revenue. The COO will collaborate closely with la mie's owners and management, as well as the CFO, to maximize revenue opportunities, ensure smooth operations, and foster effective communication between the café and other Art Center departments.

Other Responsibilities

• Serve as primary staff liaison for the Art Center's board level Buildings and Grounds Committee, providing all necessary reports, documents, and information.
• With the CEO, serve as primary liaison with the City of Des Moines to oversee the Art Center's contractual agreements governing the city-owned land on which it resides.
• With the CEO, play a key role in planning, developing, and operationalizing an accessibility initiative.
• With the CEO, research, develop, and operationalize best practice guidelines on the use of AI (artificial intelligence).
• With the Senior Director of People and Culture, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and legal counsel, advise on and oversee legal compliance and organizational risk in all assigned operational areas
• Oversee vendor and contractual relationships, including those related to security, repairs, and maintenance and facilities management.
• Partner closely with the CFO to ensure alignment between operations and financial management.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify and implement data-driven systems and policies that improve cross-departmental organizational efficiency and resilience.
• Champion the strategic plan through a commitment to the Art Center's mission as well as cross-departmental collaboration, operational insight, and data-driven decision-making.
• Serve on relevant internal and external committees and represent the Art Center with passion, integrity, and professionalism.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in museum studies, business administration, nonprofit management, or related field strongly preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in museum operations, nonprofit management, facilities management, or a related leadership role
• Demonstrated experience managing complex operations, including facilities, security, hospitality, accessibility, and visitor services
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as organizational, analytical, and project management skills
• Experience working with Boards of Directors/Trustees
• Strong, collaborative leader with a track record of developing high-performing teams and fostering a positive, inclusive, and accountable work culture
• Proven track record of supporting strategic planning and translating vision into operational execution
• Experience with capital projects, vendor contracts, and historic preservation is highly desirable Familiarity with museum standards and ethics, including American Alliance of Museums (AAM) guidelines is highly desirable.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in an office and throughout museum properties.
• Traditional 40-hour workweek, with some night and weekend hours as needed.
• Hybrid work arrangements may be available.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

The Art Center is dedicated to equal employment and advancement opportunities. It is the Art Center's policy to hire and promote qualified individuals based on their interest, aptitude, and qualifications, and without regard to age; creed; disability or genetic information; ethnicity, national origin, race, or skin color; gender, gender expression, gender identity, sex, or sexual orientation; religion; veteran status; or any other protected group under applicable Federal, State, or Local law.