Associate Director of Guide Education and Programs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Job Title: Associate Director of Guide Education and Programs

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Salary: $70,000

Description

We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

How You Will Contribute

The Associate Director of Guide Programs is responsible for leading and managing the museum’s volunteer Guide corps and overseeing the daily operations. They develop and present ongoing training for the Guides in alignment with strategic initiatives, special exhibitions, and the permanent collection. They will stay current and model best practices in tour facilitation. They will develop strong working relationships with Guides, staff, and program partners with the goal of sustaining and growing a high-quality, visitor-centered, diverse Guide program.

Specifically, you will:

  • Lead in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of Guide programs.
  • Work with the Deputy Director for Learning and Engagement, the Director of Audience Engagement, and Guide Chairs to implement goals and outcomes for the program
  • Develop new and continuing Guide education, with a focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access.  
  • Model best practices/strategies in tour facilitation and teaches training sessions
  • Select and schedule speakers and educators.
  • Determine system(s) and conduct regular evaluations of individual Guides on both content and presentation skills to maintain consistent inquiry-based pedagogy is practiced on tours. Offer continuous coaching and mentoring.
  • Develop Guide study materials and digital resources; provide and develop information about collections and exhibitions.
  • Work with colleagues in the department and division as well as with Guides to plan and coordinate training sessions throughout the year. Schedule trainings and space needs, recruit speakers, correspond with Guides and group leaders, and join museum educators and curators in teaching in the training sessions.
  • Act as staff liaison to Guide Executive Committees:
    • Attend Guide Committee meetings
    • Review annual Guide intent and comment forms
    • Act as liaison between staff and active Guides
    • Implement and enforce Guide policies
    • Respond to individual Guide requests and inquiries
  • Maintain and develop relationships with external partners and collaborators.
  • Work collaboratively to identify connections and develop programmatic alignment among the museum’s programming resulting in shared resources and ensuring consistency in curricular approach and execution across learning initiatives.
  • Identify new opportunities for tours and programs related to the permanent collection, special exhibitions, contemporary events, and other museum initiatives through collaborations with colleagues in other departments.
  • Promote exceptional public relations and provides excellent customer service via email, over the phone, and in person.
  • Work with the Director of Audience Engagement to create and manage the Guide Programs budget.
  • Partner with Human Resources department to recruit and onboard new Guides, and administer the program.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Your background and experience include:

  • Commitment to building inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible museums.
  • Experience managing and working with volunteers
  • Successful track record as a museum educator and in facilitating and leading tours for diverse audiences
  • Experience in developing and implementing curricula for Guide education programs.
  • Well-versed in object and visitor-centered teaching practices and strategies, including inquiry-based models
  • Knowledgeable in the history of art, including artistic periods, styles, techniques, etc.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing and leading gallery-based education sessions for Guides, including DEAI and culturally responsive topics and strategies, difficult tour topics, and facilitation and questioning methods, etc.
  • Extensive knowledge in adult learning theory and pedagogy
  • Background in facilitating successful interactive virtual experiences and programs
  • Experience and knowledge in tour and program evaluation; ability to offer constructive feedback
  • Creative and enthusiastic team player with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work in collaboration with a wide variety of people.
  • Strong communication and writing skills, with comfort speaking in front of a group and teaching.
  • Experience working with a wide variety of diverse stakeholders
  • Demonstrated planning and organizational, programming, and teaching skills required.
  • Able to collaborate, advise, supervise and motivate staff and volunteers.
  • Master’s degree in art history, art education/education, museum studies or related field; strong candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and experience will be considered.
  • Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule including evening and weekend hours.

Position and Compensation Details

  • The minimum salary for this position is $70,000
  • This position is full-time, exempt, and 35 hours per week.
  • This position reports to the Director of Audience Engagement
  • Physical requirements:
    • Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus.
  • COVID-19 vaccination required.
  • Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

Institutional Requirements

  • Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
  • Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
  • Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
  • Maintains confidentiality.
  • Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

Application Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.

What We Offer

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:

  • Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
  • Discounted guest tickets for admission
  • Discounts on gift memberships
  • Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
  • Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees* including:

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
  • Health savings or flexible spending account program
  • Retirement savings program with museum match
  • Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.

Apply via AAM