Job description
Aurora City Museum is seeking an experienced Museum Operations Manager to lead day-to-day operations, oversee exhibitions, and steward our public programs. This role combines strategic planning with hands-on leadership to ensure an exceptional visitor experience and robust collections management.
As Museum Operations Manager, you will collaborate with curatorial and conservation teams, educators, facilities and IT staff, and external partners to deliver engaging, accessible, and sustainable museum programs. You will manage budgets, staff, vendors, and safety compliance while championing inclusivity and accessibility.
We offer a collaborative, mission driven environment with opportunities for professional growth and impact across a prominent cultural institution in Boston.
Responsibility
- Oversee daily museum operations including front-of-house, security, facilities, and visitor services to ensure a safe and welcoming experience.
- Lead exhibition lifecycle planning in collaboration with curatorial and conservation teams; coordinate timelines, budgets, and vendor management.
- Manage collections stewardship including accessioning, cataloging, storage, and digital records in alignment with museum standards.
- Develop and monitor the annual operating budget; track expenditures and optimize resource allocation.
- Lead staff and volunteer programs, including recruitment, training, scheduling, performance evaluations, and professional development.
- Ensure compliance with safety, accessibility, and regulatory requirements; supervise risk management and incident response.
- Cultivate partnerships with schools, community organizations, donors, and sponsors to expand audience reach and fundraising opportunities.
- Oversee facility management including climate control, HVAC, security, and preventive maintenance.
Qualification
- Bachelor s degree in Museum Studies, Arts Administration, History, or a related field; master s degree preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of museum operations, exhibition management, or leadership experience in a cultural institution.
- Proven budget management and staff leadership capabilities.
- Knowledge of collections management systems (eg, TMS, PastPerfect) and digital asset management.
- Strong project management, vendor management, and negotiation skills.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
- Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and visitor-centered programming.
- Ability to thrive in a collaborative, cross-departmental environment.