Public Programs Manager, Film Programming and Budget Management

American Museum Of Natural History; New York (NY); On-site; USD 66,500 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Museum Of Natural History in New York seeks a Public Programs Manager to oversee film programming and budget management. This role involves leading public programs and coordinating events such as the Margaret Mead Film Festival. Candidates should have a relevant degree, strong project management skills, and an interest in public programming.

Salary range is between $66,500 and $70,000 annually, based on skills and experience. This is a full-time position with diverse responsibilities including managing budgets and collaborating with artists and thought leaders.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in public programming and event management.
• Proficiency in managing budgets and coordinating events.

Responsibilities

• Lead producer for assigned public programs, managing all aspects from concept to execution.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure successful events.
• Track attendance, collect feedback, and prepare program reports.
• Manage interns and departmental staff for program support.

Skills

Event coordination

Budget management

Collaboration

Public programming knowledge

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's or associate degree in a relevant field

Tools

Ticketing systems

Online video platforms

Job description

American Museum of Natural History

Public Programs Manager, Film Programming and Budget Management

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.

The Public Programs department is seeking a full‑time Public Programs Manager, Film Programming and Budget Management to serve as a senior producer and operational leader. Reporting to the Director of Public Programs, this role carries lead producer responsibility for a portfolio of public-facing programs spanning science, culture, conversation, and community, while also serving as the department's operational anchor for event systems and cross-program logistics. The Manager brings both a producer's creative instincts and a systems-oriented mindset to one of the country's most dynamic public programming environments.

Job Duties

• Serve as lead producer for an assigned portfolio of public programs, managing all aspects of programming from concept to execution. This Manager's portfolio will include the Margaret Mead Film Festival.
  • Organize film submissions, programmer coordination and support personnel and guest logistics in collaboration with the festival team and other relevant Museum departments for the Margaret Mead Film Festival, including festival-specific agreements, vendor contracts, and reporting. Work with Finance to support the department's creation and maintenance of the Festival budget.
  • Source, cultivate, and book scientists, artists, scholars, and thought leaders in alignment with Museum priorities and audience interests.
  • Manage event logistics, production timelines, vendor relationships, and day-of execution across the full assigned slate.
  • Handle all agreements, internal meeting coordination, and partner communications for assigned programs.
  • Track attendance, collect feedback, and prepare program reports.
  • Create and manage program budgets, creatively maximizing impact while ensuring accurate accounting.
• Contribute as a collaborative and onsite support across the broader Public Programs slate. Support colleagues on large-scale or high-complexity events as needed. Manage strategy, planning, and impact meetings across the Museum.
• Own and manage team meetings, including organizing agendas and leading scheduling and next steps. Manage departmental needs including departmental orders and software license management. Ensure administrative workflows are efficient, documented, and consistently followed. Help manage and maintain project management tools.
• Support the department in creating and maintaining the annual budget, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely submission across all program areas.
• Manage interns, fellows, and other departmental staff from hiring, scheduling, and portfolio to post-program support.
• Actively scout local and national organizations, artists, scientists, and cultural figures to build a robust pipeline of potential collaborators and program ideas.
• Cultivate and maintain ongoing relationships with external partners, community organizations, and industry peers. Stay current with trends in public programming, museum practice, and relevant fields through performances, conversations, screenings, convenings, and professional networks.

The expected salary range for this position is $66,500 to $70,000 per year. Pay will be determined based on several factors, including skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization, and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or associate degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated interest in all aspects of public programming (e.g., adult lectures, family workshops, festivals, cultural events).
• Familiarity with ticketing systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, online video platforms (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo) and databases.

To be considered for this position please visit our website and apply online at: careers.amnh.org.

The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The Museum does not discriminate with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, current or former participation in the uniformed services, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin, or on account of any other basis prohibited by applicable City, State, or Federal law.

If special accommodations are needed in applying for a position, please call the Office of Human Resources.