Director of Public Engagement & Community Impact

Seattle Art Museum; Seattle (WA); Sur place; USD 113 000 - 126 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Employer-paid health plan

Dental & vision insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Short Term Disability

403b retirement plan

Paid time off

Orca card subsidy

Onsite fitness facility

Résumé du poste

The Seattle Art Museum seeks a Director of Public Engagement to set the strategic direction for adult and intergenerational programs across SAM sites. Lead a diverse team, shape budgets, and build sustainable community relationships that advance the museum’s mission.

You will collaborate with curatorial, education, visitor experience, and community partners to design inclusive, accessible programs and ensure high-quality experiences aligned with institutional priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, art history, museum studies, arts management, cultural studies, public history, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Seven to nine years of progressively responsible experience in public engagement, cultural programming, museum education, or related work, including at least three years of people management experience
• Demonstrated success developing and executing department-level strategies that connect artistic and educational excellence with meaningful, broad audience participation
• Deep knowledge of innovative cultural programming, audience engagement practices, and contemporary museum approaches
• Experience leading complex program portfolios, developing and managing budgets, evaluating outcomes, and overseeing contracts and operational resources
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, antiracist practice, accessibility, and culturally responsive programming
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, influence stakeholders, and align diverse partners around shared institutional objectives
• Track record of building trusted, sustained partnerships with diverse communities, neighborhood organizations, artists, and cultural institutions
• Ability to advise senior leaders and communicate effectively with executives, trustees, donors, staff, community partners, and the public
• Strong collaborative leadership, judgment, adaptability, and ability to navigate organizational complexity
• Demonstrated ability to broaden and diversify audiences through inclusive program and partnership strategies
• Sound, timely judgment and diplomacy in resolving complex or sensitive issues
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to adapt communication for diverse audiences
• Proven people leadership, coaching, performance management, and organizational planning capabilities
• Strong strategic planning, analytical, project management, prioritization, and problem-solving skills
• Exercise discretion in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Asana, Slack and internet-based research
• Ability to pass and maintain security background check clearance

Responsabilités

• Establish and execute a multi-year public engagement strategy aligned with SAM’s priorities and equitable, visitor-centered experiences
• Direct the department’s portfolio of public programs, setting priorities, quality standards, and measures of success across all museum sites
• Develop and implement strategies to broaden participation, deepen audience engagement, and expand community awareness of art
• Lead, coach, and evaluate department staff; establish performance expectations and foster a collaborative team culture
• Provide strategic direction for lectures, gallery talks, performances, film series, and related experiences
• Own departmental budgets; monitor financials, contracts, and program impact
• Partner with Development to identify funding opportunities and ensure timely grant reporting
• Partner with Marketing to define audiences and translate insights into program decisions
• Represent SAM externally and develop partnerships with communities and organizations
• Oversee planning and execution of operating and capital plans including resource forecasts

Connaissances

Public engagement

Team leadership

Budget management

Equity and antiracist practice

Community partnerships

Strategic planning

Stakeholder communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Diversity and inclusion

Formation

Bachelor’s degree in museum studies or related field

Outils

MS Office

Zoom

Asana

Slack

Description du poste

The Seattle Art Museum seeks a Director of Public Engagement to set the strategic direction for adult and intergenerational programs across SAM sites. Lead a diverse team, shape budgets, and build sustainable community relationships that advance the museum’s mission.

You will collaborate with curatorial, education, visitor experience, and community partners to design inclusive, accessible programs and ensure high-quality experiences aligned with institutional priorities.