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Association of Academic Museums & Galleries.

Director of Museum Visitor Engagement

Association of Academic Museums & Galleries., Gainesville, Florida, us, 32635


Director of Museum Visitor Engagement – Harn Museum of Art, University of Florida

Reporting to the Director of the Museum, the Director of Museum Visitor Engagement is responsible for overall planning and daily oversight of multiple visitor-facing operational departments including visitor services, museum rentals, and the museum store. The Harn’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan includes a goal of becoming a campus and community destination by enhancing the museum’s visibility and visitor experience. The Director of Museum Visitor Engagement is a new position resulting from that goal, and the successful candidate will play a key role in making the museum more engaging by encouraging a sense of belonging through improving the visitor experience. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION The Director of Museum Visitor Engagement oversees three visitor-facing operational departments: Museum Rentals, Museum Store, and Visitor Services, and is responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures within these departments that support the mission of the museum and the university. The Director is expected to develop a vision and build strategies and support systems to accomplish programmatic and financial goals. Management Champions the institution’s philosophy regarding Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI). Develops and documents policies and procedures for departmental staff, ensuring compliance department- and museum-wide. Defines performance standards and completes performance evaluations in compliance with museum and university standards. Establishes procedural and programmatic training guidelines and criteria with input from multiple departments to ensure a positive experience for staff, volunteers, and visitors. Creates and manages a museum-wide calendar of events. Responsible for tracking and reporting museum visitor attendance and sales figures for strategic planning and grant reporting. Establishes and tracks multiple departmental budgets and annual work plans, adhering to accounting departmental standards. Collaborates closely with colleagues interdepartmentally to ensure that departmental and institutional goals are met. Anticipates any needs and opportunities that may arise in a fast-changing environment. Identifies, troubleshoots, and recommends cost-effective solutions. Visitor Services Provides guidance, support, and training to all visitor-facing staff and volunteers working in the museum. In collaboration with the Education Department and the Manager of Special Projects, develops and implements formal and informal tools and guidelines for visitor observation and feedback. Supervises and supports the Visitor Services Coordinator in the overall operational effectiveness of the Visitor Services Department. In conjunction with the Harn’s DEAI working group, identifies and resolves any barriers to accessibility for Harn visitors. Researches developments in the Visitor Experience sphere, aligning the work of the Harn Museum of Art with best practice across the museum sector. Partners with the Harn’s Development team in promoting and increasing membership. Addresses and resolves guests’ needs, concerns, and complaints in a positive, timely, and appropriate manner. Supervision of Museum Rentals Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Museum Rental program, including customer service, scheduling, coordinating support services, and financial management tasks. Promotes the Harn Museum as a venue for private, corporate, and university functions. Coordinates special events at the Harn from start to finish, proactively delivering key information to various stakeholders. Implements the facility rental program, meeting established revenue goals. Schedules and facilitates the details required for each booking. Supervision of Museum Store Establishes and achieves set sales goals ensuring store profits that will support exhibitions and programs at the Harn Museum of Art. Responsible for purchasing, merchandising, inventory control, product development, marketing, and budget of the Museum Store. Develops and implements store policies and procedures related to areas of responsibility. Other duties as identified and assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate area of specialization and three years of appropriate experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Demonstrated experience and excellence in customer service and operations. Demonstrated experience in developing/nurturing positive customer interactions. Experience developing and implementing defined training protocols. Bilingual and Multilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Strong leadership and management skills including planning and execution, coaching, and conflict resolution. The reference number for this opening is

520797. Salary: $52,000 – $75,000

commensurate with experience. The Harn Museum of Art is committed to the values of equity and inclusion, striving to serve individuals of all backgrounds and fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace.

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