Programs Manager at the Center for Curatorial Leadership (CCL)

Job Title: Programs Manager 

Job Status: Full-time

Location: New York, NY

Salary: $115,000 to $135,000

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR CURATORIAL LEADERSHIP

The Center for Curatorial Leadership (CCL) trains art museum curators to assume leadership positions in the rapidly evolving cultural climate of the 21st century. Founded in 2007, CCL organizes and hosts four annual professional development programs: the CCL Fellowship for senior curators; the CCL/Mellon Foundation Seminar in Curatorial Practice for advanced PhD candidates; a partnership with the Museum of Modern Art focused on curators of modern and contemporary art from around the globe; and an ongoing Alumni Platform that connects a growing network of 400+ graduates from across all programs. Combining finance, strategy, and management coursework with mentorship, practicum exercises, and other activities in the field, CCL empowers participants with the skills, network, and experience necessary to assume and succeed in leadership positions. As a result of both the skills it imparts and the immense respect it enjoys in the field, CCL has an extraordinary record of empowering curators and placing its fellows in the uppermost ranks of the museum world.

CCL is at an exciting moment of transformative organizational growth. In 2022, CCL completed a strategic plan with the goal to ensure it remains relevant and responsive to the dynamic societal shifts of recent years while staying true to its mission, as well as to guide the organization’s sustainable and strategic future growth. A critical next step of strategic plan implementation is to build a Programs Team who will work together to deliver CCL’s evolving program and curriculum as an essential service to the field.

JOB DESCRIPTION

CCL seeks a dynamic professional to lead the Programs Team. As Programs Manager, you will guide the strategy, design, and delivery of CCL’s annual suite of programs serving art curators across the arc of their careers–from Ph.D. students to mid-career curators, department heads, and museum directors. You will shape and manage programs from one-off events to multi-week intensives that take place virtually, in New York City, and in cities across the country. The Programs Manager will also play an active and integral role in researching and developing future programs and strategic initiatives. This position will report to the Executive Director, manage the Programs Assistant, and work closely with staff across the organization.

Exceptional candidates will be, above all, discreet, professional, and skilled communicators able to simultaneously manage the “big picture” and the day-to-day. As the facilitator of a high volume of programmatic activities, candidates must also have excellent organizational skills and be able to manage multiple, logistically complex activities simultaneously within an office setting. The ideal candidate has experience working in a creative and fast-paced environment, is highly detail-oriented, and enjoys collaborating with others. As an integral member of the CCL team, the essential responsibilities of the Programs Manager will be to:

  • Guide and manage the strategy, design, and delivery of all activities related to CCL’s suite of annual programs;
  • Help to shape and evolve programs to ensure they remain progressive, relevant, and responsive;
  • Expand and diversify CCL’s network, with emphasis on alumni relations and external partnerships; and
  • Identify, assess, and design new programmatic opportunities that extend and deepen CCL’s mission and impact.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Programs Manager will:

  • Administer all activities related to CCL’s suite of four annual programs, in conversation with the Executive Director:
  • Implement program recruitment strategy;
  • Coordinate and participate in annual cohort selection processes;
  • Develop annual programs calendar;
  • Develop program curricula;
  • Guide implementation of programmatic projects including Residencies and Mentorships, the Diversity Mentoring Initiative, and the Organizational Impact Plan;
  • Regularly evaluate programs and produce post-program executive summaries;
  • Facilitate long-term planning and strategy.
  • Lead the planning and delivery of CCL’s ongoing Alumni Platform, including curriculum development and calendar of online sessions, in-person convenings, reunions, and/or other strategic initiatives;
  • Liaise with Alumni Network to build and maintain engagement, and track communications and touchpoints;
  • Develop and nurture relationships with potential participants, partners, speakers, etc.;
  • Lead research and development initiatives to shape and evolve program curricula and expand and diversify CCL’s network;
  • Arrange regular convenings of stakeholders and alumni to further expand CCL’s programs and network;
  • Shape the language used to describe CCL programs in all outward-facing materials including press releases, program announcements, publications, and reports;
  • Participate in the annual budgeting process. Manage and track programmatic expenses against the fiscal year budget;
  • Compile program data for grant proposal and report narratives, and track grant deliverables;
  • Collaborate with the Development and Finance & Operations teams on an as-needed basis; and
  • Due to the nature of CCL’s programmatic activities, be available for in-person work during “off hours” on mornings, nights, and weekends while programs are in-session 5-7 weeks per year.

KEY REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

CCL seeks to field applicants with both traditional and non-traditional professional experiences. A Bachelor’s degree is required, and a Master’s degree is preferred. Candidates with a demonstrated interest in arts administration, leadership studies, museum studies, curatorial studies, art history, or a related field are encouraged to apply. Those with a minimum of 7 years of work experience or equivalent expertise in program design, continuing education, arts administration, and/or nonprofit leadership are also welcome. Other key qualifications are:

  • Broad-based knowledge of arts organizations required. A network outside of the Northeast is highly desirable;
  • Experience working with cultural leaders, innovators, scholars, and other “big thinkers”;
  • Facility aligning multiple stakeholders in support of a shared goal, and a commitment to building strong relationships;
  • Previous staff management experience preferred;
  • High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to prioritize and act proactively;
  • Ability to work independently, collaboratively across departments, and simultaneously and efficiently on multiple projects;
  • Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, and ability to thrive on a small team;
  • Attention to professional tone and “institutional voice” in correspondence with both internal and external stakeholders. Facility in communicating as a “spokesperson” for the organization;
  • Fluency in Mac OS, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace;
  • Familiarity with web-based platforms such as Acuity Scheduling, Asana, Doodle, Dropbox, EventBrite, Mailchimp, Paperless Post, and Zoom, among others;
  • Openness, curiosity, and a sensitivity to the range of issues in the cultural field; and
  • Discretion, good judgment, patience, a positive attitude, and a sense of humor.

LOCATION REQUIREMENTS

At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the CCL offices located in the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of the following states: New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut (the “Tri-state” areas), and able to commute to and from the office in a single day. Staff is currently working on-site 10AM-6PM Monday through Thursday, subject to change.

To Apply

Please submit a completed application form with your cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three references. Questions about your application can be directed to jobs@cclcurators.org. No phone calls please. Applications are being accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position has been filled. In the event that your application is shortlisted we will reach out again to you directly to schedule an interview. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we cannot respond to every application.

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Center for Curatorial Leadership firmly commits itself to provide equal opportunity of employment to all employees and applicants. No person will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, personal appearance, marital or familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics. CCL is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, working conditions, scheduling, training, compensation, benefits, disciplinary action, termination, employee activities, access to social, educational, and recreational programs, and general treatment with respect and dignity during the employment of our employees. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at CCL will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities.

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