Museum Program Manager

FWI (FedWriters, Inc.); New London (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Long-term and Short-term Disability

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan

Holiday Pay

Paid Time Off

Job summary

FWI (FedWriters, Inc.) seeks a Museum Program Manager to lead the National Coast Guard Museum operations in New London, CT. You will direct visitor services, education, volunteers, events and IT/AV staff, ensuring a safe, world-class experience for roughly 300,000 visitors annually.

You will manage a 16-person on-site team, liaison with the Coast Guard, control staffing and budgets, and develop SOPs and KPIs aligned with the museum's strategic goals, including a 30-day launch period for hiring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree required in museum studies, art history, business administration, public administration, or related field.
• 7+ years of leadership in a museum, cultural institution, public attraction, or similar nonprofit; at least 3 years budgeting and personnel management.
• Experience with personnel and performance management, operating budgets, and back-of-house operations.
• Ability to pass a federal Tier 1 Public Trust background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a 16-person on-site team across visitor services, education, volunteers, events, IT/AV and exhibit maintenance.
• Serve as primary liaison to U.S. Coast Guard for performance, staffing and contract matters.
• Manage staffing costs, invoicing, performance records and quality control.
• Keep galleries and technical systems covered every day the museum is open (363 days/year).
• Build SOPs, annual work plans and KPIs aligned with strategic goals.
• Stand up the team during a 30-day launch period: hiring, onboarding, training and readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Staffing & performance management

Visitor services & education

Project management

Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in museum studies, art history, business administration, public administration, or related field

Tools

Collection management systems

Digital visitor engagement tools

Facilities management software

Job description

Overview

Join our team as a Museum Program Manager and support the U.S. Coast Guard's new National Coast Guard Museum in New London, Connecticut by leading the contractor team that runs day-to-day museum operations. You will direct visitor services, education, volunteer, events and IT/AV support staff, ensure a safe, welcoming, world-class experience for an expected 300,000 visitors a year.

FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024, 2025 and 2026 Top Workplace, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.

Additional Information

• Position is contingent upon contract award**

Work Schedule and Location

On-Site: Full-time, onsite at the National Coast Guard Museum in New London, CT; candidates must live within a reasonable daily commute (about 50 miles). The museum is open 363 days a year, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, so occasional weekend, holiday and evening presence is expected. No travel required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a 16-person on-site team across visitor services, education, volunteers, events, IT/AV and exhibit maintenance.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the U.S. Coast Guard for performance, staffing and contract matters.
• Manage staffing costs, invoicing, performance records and quality control.
• Keep galleries and technical systems covered every day the museum is open, 363 days a year.
• Build standard operating procedures, annual work plans and KPIs from the museum's strategic goals.
• Stand up the team during a 30-day launch period: hiring, onboarding, training and readiness.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in museum studies, art history, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible leadership in a museum, cultural institution, public attraction, or similar nonprofit, including at least 3 years managing budgets and personnel.
• Experience with personnel and performance management, operating budgets, and museum back-of-house operations (collections care, exhibition production, facilities).
• Ability to pass a federal Tier 1 Public Trust background investigation.

Desired

• Experience running a museum, or knowledge of U.S. Coast Guard history and missions.
• Crisis and risk management experience, from facility emergencies to public relations issues.
• Experience implementing collection management systems or digital visitor-engagement tools.
• A track record of bridging curatorial and administrative teams.

Why Join Our Team

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

Pay Range

Negotiable