Department Assistant, Architecture and Design

MoMA; New York (NY); On-site; USD 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City seeks a Department Assistant in the Department of Architecture and Design. The role provides administrative support to two curators and the Department Manager, coordinating with Exhibition Planning, Accounting, and IT.

Responsibilities include travel logistics, scheduling, invoicing, and handling inquiries. On-site presence is required five days a week for 90 days, then four days weekly onsite, with potential variation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, fine art, design, architecture, museum studies, non-profit management, or related field with two to three years administrative experience relevant to the position or equivalent.
• Superior judgment, professional initiative, and strong verbal communication capabilities.
• Interest and/or background in architecture or design preferred.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with the Google platform and Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates communications, scheduling, travel, and accounting procedures for assigned curators.
• Heavy focus on coordinating travel and logistical arrangements for curators and monthly accounting reconciliation for corporate credit cards.
• Completes special administrative assignments as directed by curators and Department Manager.
• Acts as general assistant to the department (mail, reception, invoicing, office supplies, meeting room scheduling).
• Answers queries via phone, mail, and email.
• Maintains department spaces and gathers data from various sources for supervisor use.

Skills

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Deadline management

Team collaboration

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in art history, fine art, design, architecture, museum studies, non-profit management, or related field

Tools

Google Workspace

Google Calendar

Google Docs & Sheets

Google Meet

Zoom

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for a Department Assistant in the Department of Architecture and Design who will perform a variety of administrative duties specific to a curatorial department including coordinating with various internal Museum departments, such as Exhibition Planning and Administration, Accounting, and Information Technology. The incumbent works closely with and supports two curators in the department, and reports to the curators and Department Manager.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Coordinates all communications, scheduling, travel, and accounting procedures for assigned curators.
• Heavy focus on coordinating travel and logistical arrangements for curators and monthly accounting reconciliation for corporate credit cards.
• Completes special administrative assignments as directed by curators and Department Manager.
• Acts as general assistant to the department (mail, reception, responses to inquiries via Museum website or telephone, invoicing, office supplies, placing orders, meeting room schedule).
• Answers queries that come through the department’s general telephone line, and via mail and email.
• Maintains general orderliness of department common spaces, study center, and supply closets.
• Gathers data from various sources for use by supervisor or relevant staff, including collection database, library catalog, Internet research, etc.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, fine art, design, architecture, museum studies, non-profit management, or related field with two to three years administrative experience relevant to the position or equivalent.
• Superior judgment, professional initiative, and strong verbal communication capabilities.
• Interest and/or background in architecture or design preferred.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
• in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with the Google platform (Gmail, Google Calendar, Google docs and sheets, and Google Meet), Zoom for scheduling virtual meetings, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to take direction and work as part of a team.
• Ability to be proactive and to take initiative in creative problem-solving.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills.
• Pleasant phone
• Ability to effectively interact with and manage relationships with external parties who support the department.
• On-site presence is required five days a week during the 90-day initial employment period. Thereafter the schedule is four days per week onsite, subject to change at management’s discretion, with the understanding that some weeks on-site presence five days a week will be required.

Reports to: Senior Curatorsand Department Manager

Salary: The salary for this position is $61,800 (gross) per annum

Application deadline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a deadline of September 18, 2026 at 5:00 pm Eastern daylight time, after which the job posting will be closed.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement: Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).

This is a unionized position at MoMA with covered employees represented by Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO.