Manager of Support Groups

Milwaukee Art Museum; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Milwaukee Art Museum seeks a Manager of Support Groups to steward its member organizations and coordinate with curatorial and development teams. In the Office of Development, you will lead recruitment, plan annual programs, drive fundraising drives, and ensure each group's schedule aligns with the Museum's mission.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree in arts administration or a related field and demonstrates strong communication, planning, and relationship-building skills, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in arts administration, communications/public relations, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Excellent communication, project management, and research skills.
• Willingness to work periodic evenings and weekends.
• Ability to manage competing priorities under deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead liaison for support group boards and plan agendas.
• Develop annual events schedule for each group with curators and membership.
• Ensure successful events by driving attendance and coordinating with fundraising teams.
• Coordinate communications with artists, collectors, and partner organizations.
• Grow and activate support group funds with leadership.
• Create and distribute core group communications, including newsletters and event invitations.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Project management

Strategic thinking

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in arts administration, communications/public relations, nonprofit management, or related field

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Basecamp

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Job: Full Time Salaried / Exempt / Non-Union

Reports to: Senior Director of Member Engagement

The Milwaukee Art Museum is a vibrant, welcoming destination where art, architecture, and community come together. As a cultural cornerstone of Milwaukee and a symbol of civic pride, the Museum connects people of all ages and backgrounds through inspiring exhibitions, engaging programs, and unforgettable experiences.

Position Summary

Milwaukee Art Museum’s support groups provide a deeper, more engaging experience for some of our most committed Members in areas of their interest. Working as part of the Office of Development, the Manager of Support Groups will steward the Museum’s support groups and their members by serving as a liaison between them and the Museum staff, including the development and curatorial departments. Working with the support group members and their Boards, this position will co-create and engage in all support group activities, including the promotion and recruitment of support group membership; the development and execution of fundraising drives; and the management of each group’s annual program and event schedule that aligns with the Museum’s mission and strategic direction. In doing so, the position will be responsible for working with support group leadership to provide value and cultivate membership.

At present, the Museum’s support groups comprise: the African American Art Alliance, the Contemporary Art Society, the Fine Arts Society, Friends of Art, the Photography Council and Print Forum.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Museum’s lead staff liaison for support group boards; maintain positive working relationships with support group leadership; work with curatorial staff and Museum leadership to plan board agendas and set strategic priorities
• Develop an annual schedule of events for each support group in collaboration with curators, membership team, and public programs
• Ensure successful events by encouraging attendance among current members, activating board members to promote events, and collaborating with development team leadership on prospect engagement
• Coordinate communication with artists, collectors, non-MAM curators, and partner organizations involved in support group programs and trips
• Develop an annual plan to grow and activate support group funds with support group and Museum leadership
• Manage the creation and distribution of core support group communications, including seasonal newsletters, directories, and event invitations
• Work in partnership with the Museum’s Membership Manager to execute the support group annual renewal process
• Working with the Marketing & Communications team, promote support group membership visibility across all platforms. Promotion will include highlighting the activities of support groups, encouraging membership, and ensuring support groups are included in Museum events
• Ensure the cadence of programs, board meetings, and communications are sustainable, and expectations are set in alignment with furthering the Museum’s broader strategic objectives
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education, Experience, Abilities, and Skills

Required

• Bachelor's degree in arts administration, communications/public relations, nonprofit management, or a related field
• Creative, relationship-focused, and strategic professional motivated by a passion for the Milwaukee Art Museum’s mission with the ability to find connections and form trusting relationships with others
• Exceptional communication, project management, problem solving, and research skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work well under pressure to meet deadlines
• Willingness to work periodic evenings and weekends

Preferred

• Experience with institutional fundraising in the nonprofit field
• Systems and process mindset
• Listening and network building skills
• Ability to balance big-picture thinking and administrative details
• A positive attitude, professional demeanor, and entrepreneurial spirit
• Proficiency in: Raiser’s Edge, Basecamp, Microsoft Suite

Physical Demands

• Occasionally remain stationary up to six hours per day
• Move packages up to 25 lbs. on occasion
• Move throughout Museum campus and off-site Museum locations
• Effectively communicate and exchange information with staff, volunteers, constituents, and visitors
• Use computer equipment and other office productivity tools

Temperament

Excellent interpersonal skills; systematic, proactive, meticulous, patient, self-starter and able to balance multiple priorities aligned with overlapping timelines. Manages time efficiently, analyzes and solves problems independently and, as necessary, collaboratively. Ability to be flexible and embrace changes within this position due to departmental priorities. Ability to work with a wide variety of people to achieve the goals of the Museum.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all qualifications, responsibilities, duties and skills required.

Milwaukee Art Museum is an EOE/M/W/Vets/Disability Employer.

DEAI Statement

The Milwaukee Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer. The Museum recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

We are committed to recruiting, developing, compensating, and retaining professional staff that reflect our community. We aspire to be a diverse workplace where talented people want to come, stay, and do their best work.

We stand committed to the work ahead, informed by our community, which we will support with our best thinking, our deepest empathy, and the courage to embody the convictions shared in our Strategic Direction.