The City of Ontario’s Department of Museum, Arts & Culture is searching for a creative, organized, and community-oriented leader to join the team as a Museum Manager. This position will support administrative operations of the newly AAM-accredited Ontario Museum of History and Art. The Manager will work closely with the Director of Museum, Arts & Culture, and oversee three full-time staff in the divisions of Education, Exhibits, and Collections, as well as one part-time Graphic and Marketing Specialist.

The ideal candidate for the position will demonstrate a deep understanding of museum operations, have previous work experience in an art or history museum, and possess exceptional communication skills. They will cultivate innovation and experimentation by developing and enhancing programs that actively encourage new audiences to explore and engage with art and local history. This individual will lead the development of an interpretive plan for the Museum and the renovation of our main permanent exhibition Gem of the Foothills within the next 10 years. They will oversee the Museum’s efforts to create distinctive exhibitions that garner critical attention while fulfilling our mission to advance an understanding of regional history and art. They will manage all external communications for the Museum and should have exceptional written communication skills. Successful candidates will also embody the Department’s mission and vision as well as the qualities of a “Five Tool Player” – Leader, Thinker, Communicator, Operator and Public Servant – and the values of the City’s Approach to Public Service- Commitment to the Community, Excellence through Teamwork, and Doing the Right Thing the right way.

The City of Ontario

The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario is proud to have the reputation of being a progressive City, providing solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including; Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works, Financial Services, Human Resources/Risk Management and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City’s team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.

The Community Life and Culture Agency

The City of Ontario’s Community Life & Culture Agency endeavors to meet the Ontario City Council goal to “encourage, provide or support enhanced recreational, educational, cultural and healthy city programs, policies and activities.”  Community Life & Culture does this through a comprehensive array of programs, activities, services and events available through the Recreation & Community Services, Library, Museum, Arts & Culture, and Housing departments.

The Department of Museum, Arts & Culture

The Department of Museum, Arts & Culture (MAC) enhances knowledge and appreciation of our Inland Empire community through dynamic, inspiring, and creative exhibits, collections stewardship, family-friendly educational programs, cultural events, and public art.  MAC reflects pride in our legacy, who we are, where we live, and who we aspire to be, as well as supports artists of all backgrounds who create experiences that are inclusive, innovative, and relevant. To learn more about the Ontario Museum of History & Art, please view the Department’s Strategic Plan here. (Download PDF reader)

The essential functions typically performed by the Museum Manager include the following:

·         Develops, implements, and manages goals, objectives, policies, priorities, and the strategic plan for assigned area of responsibility.

·         Evaluates, recommends, and implements new policies, projects, and marketing strategies.

·         Supervises and directs the activities of staff including employee selection, work assignment, performance evaluation, employee development, disciplinary action, and complaint resolution.

·         Assists in preparing and presenting a variety of reports to and for City Council, Museum Board of Trustees, Public Art Commission, and internal stakeholders; may facilitate and work with appointed board or commission in relation to programs.

·         Assists in collaborating with City Council, City Administration, and various committees to develop and build the City’s regional identity by promoting agency programs, services, activities, and events; Attends meetings of the Board of Trustees, Board committees, Public Art Commission, City administration, community groups and organizations as required and/or in the absence of the Museum, Arts, and Culture Director.

·         Supports grants and other funding opportunities for projects that fit within the Department’s strategic plan; may direct the implementation, coordination, development, and operation of federal, state, or local grant programs or projects.

·         Evaluates proposed new programs, services, and policies; develops and prepares requests for proposals involving vendors and contractors.

·         Participates in the administration of the Department’s budget; ensures resources are allocated properly and expenditures are monitored for budgetary compliance.

·         Cultivates innovation and experimentation in developing and enhancing programs that actively encourage new audiences to explore and engage with art and local history.

·         Proposes and participates in ongoing professional development opportunities.

·         Serves as Acting Museum, Arts, and Culture Director as assigned.

·         Performs other related duties as required.

·         Oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of exhibitions, collections, and educational programs.

·         Supports development of an interpretive plan for the Museum.

·         Oversees marketing, communications, and branding for the department.

·         Stays informed of developments and current practices in the field of museums.

Qualification Guidelines

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Museum Studies, Public Administration, Arts Administration, or a closely related field.

Experience

Five years of increasingly responsible full-time experience in museums, arts or arts administration, including one year of considerable experience in a managerial or supervisory capacity.

Desirable

Master’s degree in Museum Studies, Public Administration, Arts Administration or a closely related field.

Previous experience in a museum setting including experience in funding source development and/or grant preparation and administration.

For more information and to apply, click here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ontario/jobs/4276516/museum-arts-and-culture-manager?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs