Public Programs & Exhibitions Manager

moCa Cleveland; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

moCa Cleveland is seeking a Public Programs & Exhibitions Manager to lead public engagement initiatives and support exhibition development. You will design and execute artist talks, performances, and interactive experiences while coordinating with curatorial and education teams.

The role emphasizes partnerships, project management, and high-quality production design, with opportunities to influence moCa’s mission and artistic program.

Qualifications

• Adaptability and strong communication skills required.
• In-depth knowledge of contemporary art and culture preferred.
• Excellent writing and editing abilities; high attention to detail.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and relationships.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the museum’s primary contact for public engagement programs; supervise budgets and evaluation.
• Coordinate content development, scheduling, logistics, and travel for programs.
• Collaborate with curatorial, marketing, development and operations teams for programs and events.
• Present talks, tours, lectures, trainings for diverse audiences.
• Support donor relations and contribute content for digital platforms.
• Coordinate exhibition-related production, research, and archival materials.

Job description

Reports To: Deputy Director & Senior Curator

Direct Reports: Interns or volunteers as assigned

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Salary Range: $50K–$60K

Job Objective

The Public Programs & Exhibitions Manager is an essential member of moCa’s exhibitions and engagement team, reporting to the Deputy Director & Senior Curator (DDSC). This role is primarily responsible (~65% of time) for the design and execution of moCa’s public engagement programs and public-facing projects, including but not limited to artist talks, performances, interactive tours, and special interpretation experiences. This position also provides key support for exhibition development and execution (~35% of time). With a strong focus on partnerships and art-focused project design, this position nurtures sustainable relationships and fosters meaningful connections to moCa’s mission and artistic program.

This position requires a highly organized professional whose strong interest in connecting audiences to art and artists expresses itself through focused project management, quality production design, excellent writing and communication skills, high EQ, and inclusive values. This position requires the ability to develop and steward multiple projects and relationships at once, collaborating with a wide range of internal and external partners, and remaining hands‑on throughout the exhibition and program development and evaluation process.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Public Programs

• Serves as the museum’s primary point of contact for all public engagement programs, supervising program budgets, goal setting, content development, execution, and evaluation.
• Coordinates all content development, scheduling, communications, travel, presentation needs, and other logistical details.
• Collaborates with curatorial, marketing, development, and operations to support the planning and execution of programs, artist events, receptions, lectures, tours, trainings, and special events related to exhibitions or special artist projects.
• Presents exhibition talks, tours, lectures, trainings, and other specific programs for audiences such as educators, donors, touring groups, professionals, special guests, and the broader public.
• Participates in donor and community relations through attendance and stewardship at Museum events, including receptions, public programs, collector events, and exhibition openings.
• Contributes content related to exhibitions and programming for moCa’s digital and editorial platforms.

Exhibitions

• Provides curatorial and project-management support in the planning and organization of moCa’s exhibitions and artist projects, including scholarly research, checklist development, loan requests, image rights, layout and production design assistance, exhibition catalog support, organizing and drafting didactic and interpretive texts and communications, and helping to coordinate evaluation and archive materials.
• Serves as a key liaison among artists, curators, vendors, contractors, and other external partners to coordinate exhibition progress, share information, resolve issues, and ensure projects remain on schedule.
• Supports the DDSC and Registrar in developing and tracking exhibition budgets, schedules, procurement needs, milestones, vendors, and deliverables simultaneously.
• Supports the DDSC and Exhibition Director in exhibition design, and production and installation planning
• Supports the planning and execution of exhibition openings and exhibition-related receptions, programs, and special events, along with co-production and/or traveling exhibitions.
• Conducts periodic travel for professional research, exhibition-related work in the field, and other assignments as needed.

Departmental and Organizational Support

• Provide general administrative and organizational support to the Exhibitions & Engagement department, helping coordinate information, schedules, meetings, materials, and projects across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Conducts general research on artists, exhibitions, engagement, programming and other topics as assigned and keeps a running log of artist and exhibition options, including traveling shows, for consideration by leadership.
• Creates and delivers program and exhibition presentations to staff, leadership, public audiences, and the Board, as needed.
• Participates in local arts events and conducts studio visits with locally-based artists to maintain knowledge of the regional arts community and strengthen relationships with artists and partners.
• Assumes additional projects and responsibilities in support of the department and moCa as assigned.

Note: The duties above are intended to outline those functions typically performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This description of duties is not intended to be all-inclusive or to limit the discretionary authority of the Kohl Executive Director to assign other tasks of a similar nature or level of responsibility nor does it imply an employment contract.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Art, Art History, Arts Administration, Museum Studies, Exhibition Design, or a related field strongly preferred. Candidates with degrees in non-related disciplines or without college degrees must demonstrate 3 years direct field experiencein addition to the required experience listed below.

Experience

• At least5 yearsof direct, demonstrated progressive experience, preferably within a non-profit, overseeing audience or public engagement function(s), such as education, outreach, or community programming.
• Direct, demonstrable experience creating or supporting exhibition or artist project development, design, production, and/or execution
• Direct, demonstrable experience managing budgets, schedules, vendors, contractors, and cross-departmental or cross-organizational project coordination.
• A proven track record in developing, stewarding, and maximizing community partnerships and/or professional relationships to create positive impact and public value.
• Working knowledge of museum exhibition standards, art handling, environmental requirements, and installation practices.
• Proficiency with SketchUp and Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Illustrator, AutoCAD or comparable programs preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and time-management skills.

Travel (local)

Reliable transportation and a valid Driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Adaptability: Navigates and adapts to changing priorities/work environments.
• Alignment:Represents moCa in a positive light in interactions and communications.
• Art & Culture:Possesses an advanced appreciation and deep knowledge of both contemporary art and culture.
• Communication: Communicates (both verbally and in written English) with an advanced level of awareness, confidence, and fluency to moderate panels, present compelling arguments, persuade diverse audiences, and drive action that furthers the museum's strategic objectives.
• Fundraising Acquisition:An intermediate understanding of fundraising techniques and strategies; ability to clearly articulate the museum's mission, programs, and impact in a compelling manner.
• Inclusion:Commits to modeling best practices in relating to and collaborating with diverse populations, demonstrating an advanced understanding of equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles.
• Independence:Learns and executes tasks autonomously, develops and optimizes processes for efficiency, consistently maintains exceptional focus to complete tasks independently, and makes well-informed decisions with minimal oversight.
• People Management: Ability to manage teams with confidence, navigating complex interpersonal dynamics effectively, influences team members to achieve goals, fosters a productive environment, demonstrates proficiency in conflict resolution and promotes inter-departmental collaboration.
• Reliability:Reliably fulfills obligations, consistently meets or exceeds deadlines, and proactively contributes to refining and improving established policies and procedures.
• Tech & Tools: Uses computer systems and programs (i.e., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and/or role-specific technology) with competency and efficiency.
• Writing & Editing:Possesses advanced writing and editing skills - develops compelling and engaging content, executes thorough editing to refine content for clarity, coherence, and impact, and applies advanced writing techniques to enhance readability and user experience.

Physical Demands

• Sitting (continuously), standing (occasionally), and moving among various areas of the facility (occasionally)
• Listening and exchanging information in-person, by phone, and computer (frequently)
• Lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds (occasionally)
• Using hands for simple & power grasping, pushing & pulling, and fine manipulation (continuously)
• Operating a computer and keyboarding (continuously)
• Bending (waist level), twisting (waist level), squatting, kneeling, and balancing (occasionally)
• Climbing stairs (frequently) and/or ladders (occasionally)
• Office Environment: Open-concept office with transparent walls, natural and artificial light, and concrete floors.
• RWA: Eligible for a hybrid work schedule under moCa’s RWA policy.
• Local Travel: Required to travel locally for work.
• National Travel: Occasionally required to travel nationally for work.
• Schedule: Frequently required to work evenings and/or weekends.

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. moCa provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions and enjoy equal employment benefits. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.