Description

The Asian Art Museum is searching for a Director of Public Programs and Engagement who will serve as the museum’s lead for public-facing programs and community engagement strategies, overseeing their creation, implementation, planning, and evaluation. By strategically and creatively developing a portfolio of public programs and overseeing their expert execution across the museum, the Director of Public Programs and Engagement connects audiences with Asian and Asian American art and culture, deepens the museum’s value to the community, supports our strategic goals, brings in new and return visitors, and builds membership. The programs under the purview of this position aim to engage visitors in participatory and experiential ways.  
 
The Director of Public Programs and Engagement also oversees Guest Experience to ensure smooth and seamless on-site visitor experience, including functions such as ticketing, access, greeting, coat check, event wayfinding, and preparing staff for both daily and future events.  
 
The position reports to the Deputy Director and Chief Experience Officer and collaborates closely with colleagues in the Curatorial, Learning and Civic Engagement, Experience Design, Production and Preparation, Marketing, Membership, and several other departments of the museum, as well as with artists, makers, thought leaders, and community partners related to the museum’s mission.  
 
The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is the world’s leading museum dedicated to connecting global audiences with Asian and Asian American art and culture. With a collection of 20,000 objects spanning over 6,000 years — from ancient sculpture to contemporary installations — the museum offers a powerful lens into the depth and diversity of Asian cultures. A vibrant center for public engagement, the museum is a place where history and the present meet to inspire a more connected future. The museum’s mission is to celebrate, preserve, and promote Asian and Asian American art and cultures for local and global audiences. It serves as a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas, inviting collaboration, and fueling imagination to deepen understanding and empathy among people of all backgrounds.  

This is an exceptional opportunity to join an organization that values creativity, teamwork, collaboration, and inclusion and where you will be surrounded by a diverse, talented, and enthusiastic group of colleagues.   
 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:  

• Direct long-term planning for the museum’s full range of public programs.
• Develop programming seasons with an understanding of audience opportunities and needs and in collaboration with other museum departments.
• Curate themes and experiences for individual programs, plan partnerships, and develop budgets.
• Research topics and secure speakers, moderators, and discussants for future programs.
• Track local, regional, and global events and trends related to programs in Asian art and culture.
• Ensure programs are initiated, executed, monitored, and delivered on time, within scope and budget. Oversee program presentations, including the introduction of participants and engaging members, donors, and supporters in attendance.
• Develop, implement, promote, measure, and evaluate public programs, audience outreach, and engagement strategies.
• Oversee smooth and efficient daily operations of frontline Guest Experience functions.
• Set an exemplary standard of professional behavior and ensure that visitors are assisted in a professional, courteous manner aligned with the museum’s service standards, brand, and audience development goals.
• Supervise, hire, train, coach, and evaluate a team of full-time, part-time, and as-needed staff. Ensure compliance with union contracts and City and County of San Francisco standards.
• Ensure the team is trained on safety and security best practices.
• Create and manage departmental budget as well as contracts with service providers.
• Forge and maintain cooperative partnerships with program-related organizations, universities, and other educational and cultural institutions.
• Write funding proposals to individuals, foundations, government, and corporate agencies for public programming needs and contribute content to grant applications related to other areas of the museum’s work.  
• Present and report on department activities to museum members, funders, and colleagues, as well as to special constituencies.
• Partner with the museum’s Development team to complete grant applications and reports for funders.  
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned. 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, art education, arts management, education, or other related field, with demonstrable interest in Asian and Asian American art desired, or equivalent related experience.
• 5–7 years’ full-time or equivalent experience producing public programs in a museum or cultural setting, in roles of progressive responsibility, including experience managing and mentoring direct reports.
• Knowledge of or experience with Asian and/or Asian American art and culture.
• Experience or strong exposure to the factors that drive positive visitor experiences, including program messaging, ticket purchase, and on-site and online engagement.
• Proven track record of successful program/project management, effective leadership, and staff supervision.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a positive, flexible demeanor.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Superior attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to multi-task.
• Adept at managing staff and volunteers.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Successful audience development, program evaluation, and grant writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Publisher and Excel, Word) and facility for learning other standard office and project management software programs.
• Willingness to work on site, nights and occasional weekends and holidays.
• The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following skills/experience:
• An ability to articulate strategy and effectively direct the implementation of that strategy while leveraging the strengths and abilities of the team. 
   * A proactive approach to making decisions, identifying problems, creating solutions, and driving projects to conclusion. 
   * Demonstrated cross-organization and team-building skills with a collaborative management style. 
   * Excellent analytical, interpersonal, organizational, and writing skills. 
   * Strong public speaking and presentation skills. 
   * Experience working with AAPI cultural organizations and groups. 
   * Connections with San Francisco Bay Area community stakeholders, visual artists, performing artists, and/or other cultural community stakeholders. 
   
  WORKING CONDITIONS 

          * Standard museum, office, event, educational environment. 
          * Computer, tablet, and phone use.