About MoMA's Department of Learning and Engagement:

The Department of Learning and Engagement at The Museum of Modern Art supports the Museum’s founding educational mission to ensure that people of all ages and abilities “enjoy, understand and use” the art of our time in ways that add value to their lives. The Department collaborates across the institution to empower a diverse public to form their own interpretations and connections to art by telling stories, asking questions, actively making and participating in the artistic process, and offering and listening to multiple perspectives. Programs offered by the Department range from artist-driven activations to classes, online courses, studio programs, facilitated gallery explorations, workshops, publications and more.

Position summary:

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for a Director, Public Engagement.  Reporting to the Deputy Director, Learning and Engagement, the Director, Public Engagement is responsible for the planning, conceptualization, development, and implementation of Public and Civic Engagement initiatives within and outside of the Museum with artists and with collaborating communities. The Director, Public Engagement oversees a diverse team responsible for adult public programming, artist programs, community partnerships, and civic engagement work. This person will be a key liaison between the Museum and other arts, cultural, educational, non-profit, governmental, and civic organizations, and is responsible for connecting art and audiences through innovative participatory projects and advancing the civic role of the institution by supporting the public in engaging with the Museum as a civic space.

Responsibilities:

• Manages and mentors a team of more than six staff including Artist Programs, Creativity Lab, Public and Civic Engagement staff, interns and fellows.  Participates in recruitment for select open positions and makes hiring decisions for staff vacancies; supervises direct reports and more broadly oversees their staff, providing relevant training, feedback, guidance, professional development, etc.; ensures compliance with and comprehension of Museum policies and relevant collective bargaining agreement; manages the constructive discipline process, as warranted; conducts annual performance reviews with direct staff; etc.
• Leads a team to partner with other arts, cultural, educational, non-profit, governmental, and civic organizations in building innovative initiatives especially for diverse, multilingual, multi-generational, and multicultural audiences. Establishes a network of partner libraries; hospitals and medical training facilities, health care and wellness centers, and mental health support organizations; judicial and other law agencies; military and veterans support organizations; and civic and governmental agencies connected to housing, parks, and recreation, and community gardens.
• Strategically balances departmental work across different target audiences and communities using budget and project management to ensure goals are met and programs are kept on time and in scope.
• Oversees projects with artists whose work is situated in and activated by the public realm. Positions the Museum for the public and artists together, especially by using non-conventional programming spaces - both at the Museum and out in the community - to engage audiences.
• Infuses the goals, perspectives, and interests of communities into planning conversations, decision making, and institutional vision-setting.
• Guides program development and manages projects and efforts to ensure the integration of Museum and community voices and efficient collaborative work practices.
• Develops and implements programs to maintain and grow opportunities for audiences to engage with the creative practices of artists through direct participation this includes new forms of public programming and public engagement, including studio programs, workshops, festivals, activations of the Creativity Lab, courses and more.
• Develops and implements plans and programs that contribute to MoMA’s ability to build effective and reciprocal civic partnerships with local organizations. Plans for and makes strategic choices around who MoMA should partner with and in what ways. Ensures reporting staff maintain regular and effective communication with partners. Expands the voices that contribute to our civic and public engagement work, notably by forging new relationships and collaborations.
• Develops an annual division budget that reflects MoMA department priorities and monitors income and expense lines.
• Defines and tracks success metrics for all programs and initiatives and reports progress to various constituents, including the Deputy Director, Learning and Engagement, funders, the Trustee Committee for Learning and Engagement, and internal stakeholders.
• Oversees a team responsible for serving as a primary point of contact for community members and facilitates discussions on matters affecting our local communities.
• Establishes efficient processes and systems for creative practice program development and logistics.
• Monitors and evaluates programs with a view to updating, improving, and refining offerings on a regular basis.
• Works with other members of the Learning and Engagement team to analyze results of audience research and education visitor demographics in strategizing on how to best serve MoMA communities.
• Provides monthly reports and other reports and statistics as requested, provides information and support for grant applications and advancement initiatives, participates in institutional planning/initiatives.
• With Marketing and the strategic Communications team, develops and helps implement marketing efforts for programs.
• Oversees the functionality of all division processes, including staff scheduling, project management timelines, budget tracking and maintenance.
• Demonstrates initiative in continually researching and addressing strategies for integrating new modes of engagement and best practices into programs.
• Participates in the field as an active contributor to the advancement of museum arts learning and civic engagement discourse through publishing, speaking, networking, and presenting.

Requirements: 

• Master’s degree in art history, art education, museum studies or fine/studio arts along with sound knowledge of art history, museum teaching and object interpretation strategies.
• 10 or more years of relevant experience in a museum or cultural organization, at least five of which should be in proven leadership role(s), is required along with understanding of the role of civic engagement and public programming in a museum and best practices in the museum education field.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Able to work well and collaborate effectively with a wide range of audiences including staff, volunteers, educators, funders, sponsors, members, general public and other constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to values of diversity, inclusion and public-centered engagement strategies.
• Experience supervising personnel (volunteer and staff), program and budget development, project management and planning skills along with an ability to meet deadlines are necessary.
• Able to work effectively in a team setting within the department and collaborate across the organization.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Fully vaccinated with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and/or the World Health Organization authorized vaccine (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a qualified disability or sincerely held religious belief or other legal basis). 

Application instructions: To apply, please visit https://www.moma.org/about/careers/jobs

 Applicants should submit a resume and a statement of interest.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement: Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).