Assistant Director

National Museum of Wildlife Art; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Maryland, College Park invites applications for the Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Programs at the David C. Driskell Center.

This role reports to the Director and supports planning and coordination across the center's library, gallery, and archives. Responsibilities include managing the exhibitions schedule, coordinating education and marketing for campus and external audiences, assisting with grant applications and donor relations, and providing high-level

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Seven (7) years of professional experience managing business operations.
• Two (2) years of experience supervising or managing professional staff.
• Strong business acumen, organizational communications, and data analysis skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Responsibilities

• Manage the center’s exhibition and event schedule.
• Coordinate education programming and marketing initiatives.
• Assist with grant writing and donor development.
• Provide senior-level administrative support and communications under the Director’s guidance.
• Handle sensitive and complex issues objectively and with discretion.
• Manage online communications with members and the general public.
• Take initiative in the Director’s absence to support center operations.

Skills

Business operations management

Staff supervision

Data analysis

Oral and written communication

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Policy development

Discretion

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in Art History or Museum Studies

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

Job Description Summary
The Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Programs acts as a direct assistant to the Director of the David C. Driskell Center in all aspects of managing, planning and coordinating activities across its library, gallery and archives. The position will be regularly involved in most planning discussions and meetings and will be assigned tasks according to the Center's priorities. Tasks may include management of the center’s schedule of exhibitions and other events, coordinating related education programming and marketing for both on-campus and external audiences, assisting the Director in the development program from investigating and writing grant applications to identifying and helping to develop donor relationships, and providing full administrative and communications support at a senior level to ensure smooth day‑to‑day affairs, handling sensitive issues professionally and managing online communications.

Responsibilities

The holder of this position will perform a range of duties including:

• Manage the center’s exhibition and event schedule.
• Coordinate education programming and marketing initiatives.
• Assist with grant writing and donor development.
• Provide senior‑level administrative support and communications under the Director’s guidance.
• Handle sensitive and complex issues objectively and with discretion.
• Manage online communications with members and the general public.
• Take initiative in the Director’s absence to support center operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least seven (7) years of professional experience managing business operations.
• At least two (2) years of experience supervising or managing professional staff.
• Strong business acumen, organizational communications, and data analysis skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Preferences

• Master’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or related fields.
• Five (5) years of full‑time experience working in a museum or art gallery.
• Knowledge of artwork and items in the Center’s care, museum theory and practices, collections management, and collections management databases.
• Experience with cloud‑based work management software such as Trello or Asana.
• Demonstrated experience managing exhibitions and art education programs.

Physical Requirements

• Work performed in an office environment with standard office equipment and keyboards.
• Capability to lift up to 10 pounds and carry parcels, packages, and other items.
• Ability to walk short distances and travel to deliver and pick up materials.

Application Requirements

• Cover letter and résumé.
• Three professional references.

Employment Eligibility and Background Check

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (Form I‑9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law. Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check; adverse decisions may be made after review of the background check results.

Financial Disclosure

Financial disclosure is required for this position. For more information, consult the Maryland State Ethics Commission website.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non‑Discrimination Notice

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