Manager, Arts and Culture

County-of-Los-Angeles; California; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Los Angeles Department of Arts and Culture seeks a Manager, Arts and Culture to lead and supervise a portfolio of complex programs. You will guide development, implementation, and administrative activities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, DEI initiatives, and county policies.

The role requires experience in arts and culture administration, strong leadership, and ability to manage budgets and contracts across multiple initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Public/Public Administration, Arts Administration, Education, or related field.
• 1 year of program management experience at the Senior Program Associate level (Option 1).
• 3 years of program management experience at the Program Associate level (Option 2).
• Valid California Class C Driver License required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the establishment, implementation, and management of Department programs and initiatives.
• Provide day-to-day operational, financial, and administrative management for a Division or program.
• Ensure programs align with diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and compliance.
• Oversee budgets, spending projections, and maintenance of financial records for programs.

Job description

LOS ANGELS COUNTY

DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE

When To Apply:

We will be accepting online applications on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. (PT).

Filing will be suspended after the first 200 applications are received or by Friday, October 23, 2026, before 5:00 p.m. (PT) whichever occurs first. Applications received after the first 200 or 5:00 p.m. (PT) will not be considered.

Exam number:

RT8811B

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:

We welcome applications from everyone.

Why work for us?

With almost 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California with over 100,000 employees in 39 departments, we provide vital and diverse public services like law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, and cultural activities.

The County has more than 2100 different job types, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. Join us and discover one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the country with a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

For more information about our amazing employee benefits, please visit us here: https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/

About the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture:

The mission of the Department of Arts and Culture is to advance arts, culture, and creativity throughout Los Angeles County. We provide leadership, services, and support in areas including grants and technical assistance for nonprofit organizations, countywide arts education initiatives, commissioning and care for civic art collections, research and evaluation, access to creative pathways, professional development, free community programs, and cross sector creative strategies that address civic issues. All of this work is framed by our longstanding commitment to fostering access to the arts and the County’s Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative. For more information about our work, partnerships, and opportunities, please visit us here: https://lacountyarts.org/

The team member we are searching for:

The Department of Arts and Culture is seeking well-qualified individuals to fill Manager, Arts and Culture vacancies throughout the department. These individuals will manage and supervise, through support staff, the development, implementation, and administrative activities of a portfolio of comprehensive, highly complex, multi-layered initiatives, and specialized arts and culture programs.

The ideal candidates will have professional experience within the Los Angeles County arts and culture ecosystem, including familiarity with local arts policies, initiatives, and community needs. The Department is also seeking individuals with experience related to cultural equity, diversity, inclusion, and/or experience working with underserved communities or populations.

Our office is located at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration – 500 W. Temple Street Room B-79-2 Los Angeles, CA 90012. This position is eligible for a hybrid telework arrangement.

Withhold information :

No withhold will be allowed. Required education and experience must be fully met at the time of filing, and clearly indicated on the application.

Out of Class:

Out of Class experience will not be accepted.

What does a Manager, Arts and Culture do?

The duties listed below are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed by a Manager, Arts and Culture. Specific duties and tasks may vary based on the assigned Division or Unit.

• Oversees the establishment, implementation, and management of Department programs and initiatives.
• Provides oversight of the day-to-day operations of a Division or program, including management of the operational, financial and administrative activities.
• Oversees the implementation of the Division or program goals, ensuring that assigned projects and programs are effective, compliant and in line with the mission and vision of the Department and support goals of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Oversees and manages Division and program financial activities, including development and management of budgets, developing spending projections, oversight of financial tracking, accounting, and maintenance of financial and payment records for assigned programs.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of programs or services and develops and implements procedural or system recommendations to optimize operational systems, processes and policies, reporting, information flow and business processes. Ensures programs are completed within budget, on time, and in compliance with policies, procedures, guidelines, and strategies that govern program initiatives.
• Oversees the research and analysis of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as relevant research and trends, pertaining to the assigned Division or program. Includes developing risk assessments and making recommendations to address any potential impact or opportunities.
• Oversees the contracting and solicitation processes of the assigned Division or program, including developing budgets and scopes of services and overseeing contract and solicitation monitoring to ensure compliance with department policies and guidelines as well as relevant state and federal funding guidelines.
• Provides technical support and administrative supervision to staff and/or consultants, including guidance on Department policy, processes, systems, operations, administration, finance, budget, contracting and purchasing. Support may also include building project plans and timelines, setting clear performance standards, reviewing work products, providing guidance and direction, and training to ensure compliance with department and County work expectations.
• Represents the department at public events and meetings, and makes public presentations at program-related events, symposiums, and workshops to increase public awareness of the assigned Division or programs.
• Serves as a liaison with Arts Commissioners, Board Deputies, County departments, and other government agencies, community groups, and private organizations for assigned programs and/or grants.
• Facilitates and oversees marketing and outreach efforts to increase public awareness of department programs and services by promoting community involvement, coordinating special events, and developing educational and marketing materials for related department programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Prepares detailed program/project status reports and specialized documents/materials as requested by Department leadership.
• Responds to and resolves complex and high priority inquiries from Department contractors, grantees, artists, consultants, students, and other external stakeholders regarding program services and related issues.
• May support and/or lead special projects, as directed by the Department Director or Chief Deputy.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience designing, implementing, and/or leading multi-layered programs or initiatives for organizations that provide performing arts, visual art, public art, art collections, arts education, grant-making, research and evaluation, and/or similar programs.
• Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing operations, including managing staff, directing day-to-day activities, or improving organizational systems or workflows in an arts and culture or related organization or agency.
• Experience in financial or contract management, which may include budgeting, fiscal oversight, contract monitoring, and managing complex funding sources.

Requirements to Qualify:

Option 1:

A Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Public or Business Administration, Arts Administration, Education, or a related field* -AND- one (1) year** of program management experience*** at the level of**** the Los Angeles County classification of Senior Program Associate, Arts and Culture*****.

Option 2:

A Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Public or Business Administration, Arts Administration, Education, or a related field* -AND- three (3) years** of program management experience*** at the level of**** the Los Angeles County classification of Program Associate, Arts and Culture******.

License:

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Physical class:

2 – Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Special Requirements Information:

*To receive credit for your education, include a legible copy of all relevant official documents including your diploma, transcripts, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution or email it to [e-mail] within seven (7) days of the end of the filing period. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards if not listed in the International Handbook of Universities or World Higher Education Database. Documents marked as unofficial will not be accepted. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf and https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205105_PPG_123_ACE_Resource_Guide.pdf.

We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

**Full-time experience will be evaluated on the basis of a 40-hour work week. Part-time experience will be evaluated and prorated accordingly.

***Program Management Experience is defined as: Experience with establishing program goals and providing direction to achieve program objectives; establishing and executing plans to achieve program outcomes; developing and/or implementing projects or programs, systems and procedures; establishing schedules, priorities, and performance standards for program activities; coordinating and monitoring program activities to ensure they are carried out efficiently and effectively; overseeing budget activities and conducting fiscal planning and monitoring to support program operations

****At the level: You may still qualify even if your job title isn’t exactly the same as the ones listed. What matters is that your experience is at a similar level — meaning your job involves similar responsibilities, requires comparable skills and knowledge, and takes place within a similar organizational structure. Please provide a clear explanation of your experience to demonstrate that it is at the appropriate level.

*****Senior Program Associate, Arts and Culture is defined as: Manages and oversees the planning, development, analysis, and administrative activities of a Department of Arts and Culture project or a small program.

******Program Associate, Arts and Culture is defined as: Provides specialized technical program support and administrative, fiscal, and project management services for professional personnel involved in the development and implementation of a comprehensive Department of Arts and Culture program.

Examination content:

This examination will consist of an Evaluation of Education and Experience, weighted 100%, based on application information, Desirable Qualifications and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire.

Each candidate’s background will be evaluated on the basis of information provided on their County of Los Angeles Employment Application and Supplemental Questionnaire that pertains to the areas of REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY and DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS to determine the level and scope of the candidate’s job preparation for this position.

You must meet the requirements and achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the exam in order to be placed on the eligible list.

Reminder:

Applicants are required to respond to all supplemental questions during the application process. Be sure to provide detailed and accurate responses to all questions. To provide the best responses, applicants should allow at least one (1) hour to complete the application and supplemental questionnaire.

Eligibility and Vacancy Information:

Applicants who passed the assessment are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months. We will use this list to fill vacancies as they occur.

Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly.

Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI):

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to promoting Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Testing Accommodations Coordinator: [e-mail]

Teletype Phone: [phone]

Alternate Teletype Phone: [phone]

California Relay Services Phone: [phone]

Department Contact Name: Vanecia Logan

Department Contact Email: [e-mail]

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