Public Programs Manager for the Friends of The New York Transit Museum
Job Title: Public Programs Manager
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: $60,000 – $70,000
Description
Founded in 1976, the New York Transit Museum is dedicated to telling and preserving the stories of mass transportation – extraordinary engineering feats, workers who labored in the tunnels over 100 years ago, communities that were drastically transformed, and the ever- evolving technology, design, and ridership of a system that runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The New York Transit Museum explores the development of the greater New York metropolitan region through the presentation of exhibitions, tours, educational programs, and workshops dealing with the cultural, social, and technological history of public transportation. Since its inception over 40 years ago, the Museum, housed in an historic 1936 subway station in Downtown Brooklyn, has grown in scope and popularity. The museum also maintains a gallery annex at Grand Central Terminal, an archive, and an
off-site 14,000 square foot collections storage facility. As custodian and interpreter of the region’s extensive public transportation networks, the Museum strives to share, through its public programs, this rich and vibrant history with local, regional, and international audiences.
POSITION:
The Public Programs Manager (Manager) develops and implements a creative, high-quality roster of public programs on a variety of topics including history, science, art and urban planning, among others. Public Programs include onsite lectures, events and tours; offsite walking tours and excursions to behind-the-scenes transit locations and points of interest in the region; as well as virtual experiences with attendees from around the world. The Manager will develop programming partnerships with other museums and cultural organizations, colleagues throughout the Museum and MTA, and artists, scholars, authors, musicians, and other guest presenters. This is a key position within the Education Department and the incumbent will help establish goals for adult programs and audience growth and assess ongoing initiatives to help shape a relevant and engaging calendar of programs.
The Manager develops programs that engage current members and visitors while also seeking to better understand audiences that are not regularly attending public programs. Ongoing outreach and evaluation are important to this work in order to create programming in response to public interest and collaboratively develop experiences for and alongside those we welcome, and strive to welcome, to the Museum.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Help establish goals and audience objectives for innovative public
programs and conceptualize the next phase in the Museum’s public programming for adults, including a return to in-person programming as well as ongoing virtual programming.
• Evaluate programs to inform goals and long-term planning.
• Develop creative experiences around topics including New York City history,
transportation, public art and design, architecture, urban planning, and engineering, among others.
• Work closely with staff across Museum departments to create programs
inspired by collections and exhibitions.
• Strategize with the Museum’s Development Department to use programs as a recruiting tool for new members and a benefit for existing members.
• Work with the Museum’s Marketing Department on digital and print marketing efforts for programs.
• Develop strategies to connect with new audiences. Develop and implement
processes to create programming based on visitor input and co-create experiences with existing and potential attendees.
• Research and establish partnerships with potential presenters including colleagues from other museums and organizations, MTA colleagues, scholars, artists, musicians, authors and other engaging presenters.
• Represent the New York Transit Museum in the broader cultural community with the goals of raising the Museum’s profile and developing strong partnerships for program collaboration.
• Produce all public programs, inclusive of onsite programs, offsite tours and
excursions, and virtual programs which includes conception through implementation, managing event logistics, creating staffing schedules, adhering to and tracking budgets, and interfacing with presenters and the public.
• Prepare budgets, monitor expenses, and purchase program materials. Handle additional administrative work associated with events such as memos, contracts, and payments. Prepare monthly, annual, and program-specific reports on attendance and revenue.
• Regularly use Altru and WordPress to manage all aspects of online listings and
ticketing.
• Remain active in the fields of museum education and public programming,
participate in professional conferences and networks, and seek opportunities to present on New York Transit Museum initiatives.
• Manage public programming staff, conduct employee evaluations, and perform other administrative duties related to the management of staff.
APPLICATION:
Please email a cover letter and resume to programs@nytransitmuseum.org with the subject Public Programs Manager. Due to high volume of applicants, only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.
Covid-19 Vaccine Requirement:
In accordance with NYC law and in order to protect our employees and continue to provide safe and reliable service to our communities, we are requiring all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their start date. We will consider exceptions for religious and medical reasons, where appropriate. “Fully vaccinated” means you must have both doses of a 2-dose vaccine and two
weeks have elapsed since the second dose or have received 1 dose of a 1-dose vaccine and two weeks have elapsed since the dose. Proof of your vaccination status in the form of a CDC vaccine card must be submitted prior to your start date
The Public Programs Manager position is employed by the Museum’s non-profit affiliate, Friends of the New York Transit Museum. Friends of the New York Transit Museum is fully committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability,
predisposing genetic characteristic, gender identity and expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, marital/familial/partnership/caregiver status, status as a victim of domestic violence or stalking and/or sex offenses, or any legally protected basis. Friends of the New York Transit
Museum welcomes and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
Requirements
DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• A four-year degree in history, urban planning, education, museum
studies, arts administration, marketing and communications, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 4 years’ experience in museum programming or related non-profit
programming.
• Knowledge of New York City and its history and an interest in public transit and
related topics, and a genuine curiosity about and enthusiasm for content represented in the Transit Museum’s exhibits and collections.
• Demonstrated experience developing, coordinating, and delivering creative,
high-quality, and innovative programs for adults in a cultural organization or museum setting.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Enthusiasm for working with the public in a museum setting and working alongside a small team to provide high quality visitor experiences.