Associate Director

The National Quilt Museum; Paducah (KY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY is seeking an energetic Associate Director to lead front-of-house operations, supervise admissions staff and volunteers, and ensure an exceptional visitor experience.

This role also coordinates volunteer recruitment and engagement, supports the Executive Leadership team, and builds partnerships with community organizations to advance the museum's mission through welcoming programs and outreach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Three or more years of experience in customer service, nonprofit administration, visitor services, hospitality, arts administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a positive, professional demeanor.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and cloud-based office applications.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for museum programs and events.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily visitor services operations and admissions staff.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and evaluate front-of-house personnel.
• Ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and exceptional visitor experience.
• Develop and maintain customer service standards and operational procedures.
• Resolve visitor concerns professionally and effectively.
• Monitor admissions operations, memberships, and retail transactions for accuracy.
• Coordinate front desk scheduling to ensure appropriate staffing and coverage.
• Recruit, onboard, train, schedule, and retain museum volunteers.
• Maintain volunteer records and scheduling systems.
• Match volunteer interests and skills with museum needs.
• Coordinate volunteer recognition and appreciation initiatives.
• Develop new volunteer opportunities that support museum programs and events.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all museum volunteers.
• Coordinate volunteer involvement for development events.
• Serve as a museum ambassador with community organizations.
• Coordinate community outreach opportunities, partnership activities, and collaborative programs.
• Maintain relationships with tourism organizations, schools, libraries, civic groups, and nonprofit partners.
• Represent the museum at community meetings and events as appropriate.
• Assist with planning community engagement initiatives that expand the museum's visibility and accessibility.
• Assist with membership recruitment and stewardship activities, with a particular focus on in-person membership sales and donations.
• Support donor cultivation events and fundraising initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Development team to strengthen community relationships and donor engagement.
• Collaborate across departments to support exhibitions, educational programming, and special events.
• Assist with event logistics and museum rentals as needed.
• Help identify operational improvements that enhance efficiency and visitor satisfaction.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the museum's mission.

Skills

Customer service

Supervisory experience

Communication skills

Organization

Multi-tasking

Microsoft Office

Evenings/weekends

Arts administration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

POS systems

CRM/donor databases

Job description

The National Quilt Museum seeks an energetic, highly organized, and service-oriented professional to serve as Associate Director. This position plays a critical role in creating an exceptional visitor experience while strengthening the museum's relationships with volunteers, community partners, members, and supporters.

Serving as the primary manager of front-of-house operations, this individual oversees admissions staff and volunteers, ensures exceptional customer service, coordinate volunteer recruitment and engagement, and provides high-level administrative support to the Executive Leadership team. The position also serves as an important liaison with community organizations and assists with development initiatives, helping cultivate meaningful relationships that advance the museum's mission.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with people, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is passionate about connecting the community with arts and culture.

Essential Responsibilities

Visitor Services & Front-of-House Operations

• Supervise daily visitor services operations and admissions staff.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and evaluate front-of-house personnel.
• Ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and exceptional visitor experience.
• Develop and maintain customer service standards and operational procedures.
• Resolve visitor concerns professionally and effectively.
• Monitor admissions operations, memberships, and retail transactions for accuracy.
• Coordinate front desk scheduling to ensure appropriate staffing and coverage.

Volunteer Program Management

• Recruit, onboard, train, schedule, and retain museum volunteers.
• Maintain volunteer records and scheduling systems.
• Match volunteer interests and skills with museum needs.
• Coordinate volunteer recognition and appreciation initiatives.
• Develop new volunteer opportunities that support museum programs and events.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all museum volunteers.
• Coordinate volunteer involvement for development events.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Serve as a museum ambassador with community organizations.
• Coordinate community outreach opportunities, partnership activities, and collaborative programs.
• Maintain relationships with tourism organizations, schools, libraries, civic groups, and nonprofit partners.
• Represent the museum at community meetings and events as appropriate.
• Assist with planning community engagement initiatives that expand the museum's visibility and accessibility.
• Assist with membership recruitment and stewardship activities, with a particular focus on in-person membership sales and donations.
• Support donor cultivation events and fundraising initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Development team to strengthen community relationships and donor engagement.

General Museum Operations

• Collaborate across departments to support exhibitions, educational programming, and special events.
• Assist with event logistics and museum rentals as needed.
• Help identify operational improvements that enhance efficiency and visitor satisfaction.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the museum's mission.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Three or more years of experience in customer service, nonprofit administration, visitor services, hospitality, arts administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a positive, professional demeanor.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and cloud-based office applications.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for museum programs and events.

Preferred

• Experience with POS systems
• Experience supervising volunteers.
• Experience in nonprofit, museum, cultural institution, tourism, or hospitality settings.
• Familiarity with donor databases, CRM systems, or membership management software.
• Experience coordinating community partnerships or public programs.
• Knowledge of fundraising or membership programs.

Desired Characteristics

The ideal candidate will be:

• Warm, welcoming, and service-oriented.
• A natural relationship builder.
• Highly organized and dependable.
• Adaptable and resourceful.
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating across departments.
• Passionate about arts, culture, education, and community engagement.
• Committed to providing exceptional experiences for every visitor, volunteer, and partner.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to assist during museum events, which may include setup and breakdown.