Location
Hybrid. Three or more days a week onsite in Palo Alto, California.
Position Summary The Palo Alto Museum seeks a Director of Operations to serve as a senior institutional leader and strategic partner to the President & CEO, responsible for building and leading the operational foundation of the Museum as it opens and grows. This role translates institutional vision into operational reality by designing and managing the systems, workflows, and infrastructure that enable a high-performing, sustainable new museum.
The Director of Operations oversees facilities, visitor experience, volunteers, exhibitions and program logistics, technology systems, safety and security, risk management, and internal operations. In close partnership with the CEO and other senior team members, this Director drives operational planning, strengthens organizational capacity, and ensures execution aligned with the Museum’s mission, strategic priorities, and community impact.
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director manages a small core team—including the Facilities Manager, CRM/Data Coordinator, Programs & Visitor Services Manager, and Venue Rental Manager—and oversees contractors, interns, and volunteers supporting operations, exhibition installations, and public programs to ensure a successful Museum launch and rapid audience growth.
This is a hands-on senior leadership role for a collaborative, results-oriented builder energized by launching and laying the operational foundation for a new institution. The Director drives operational excellence across both public-facing and internal functions, cultivates a high-performing, engaged team, and shapes visitor experiences that are welcoming, accessible, and deeply connected to the Museum’s mission and community impact.
About the Museum Opening in Spring 2026, the Palo Alto Museum brings a historic landmark to life as a 21st-century civic, cultural, and educational hub. Through dynamic exhibitions, programs, and experiences for all ages, the Museum explores Palo Alto stories that shape our community and the world. Join us as we preserve the past, strengthen our community today, and inspire a brighter future together.
Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership & Institutional Strategy
Design and implement operational strategies that advance the Museum’s mission, long-term sustainability, and organizational growth in a dynamic, fast-moving, start-up environment.
Partner with the CEO to translate institutional priorities into actionable plans with clear, measurable outcomes.
Develop scalable systems, policies, and workflows that reflect museum best practices and support a high-performing institution.
Anticipate, identify, and resolve operational risks and challenges across public-facing and internal functions.
Directly supervise the Facilities Manager, CRM/Data Coordinator, Programs & Visitor Services Manager, and Venue Rental Manager, supporting the Museum’s public opening and rapid audience growth.
Oversee day-to-day HR operations for a small team ( Oversee contractors, interns, and volunteers contributing to operations, exhibitions, and public programs.
Work closely with the Director of Finance to align operations with financial systems, processes, and reporting.
Collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders—including City of Palo Alto staff, community partners, and private vendors—to advance institutional priorities.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, professional development, and high performance across all staff.
Facilities, Safety & Stewardship
Steward the Museum’s historic landmark building and physical environment as a public asset.
Ensure operational excellence while prioritizing safety, accessibility, and sustainability.
Oversee vendors, contractors, and service providers supporting building operations, risk management, and insurance compliance.
Manage routine maintenance, repairs, and preventive care to protect the facility and its collections.
Lead the resolution of facilities-related issues, balancing operational needs, community expectations, and City of Palo Alto policies.
Project & Program Operations
Oversee operational planning for exhibitions, programs, and public events, ensuring high-quality delivery
Ensure initiatives advance institutional priorities and visitor-centered outcomes.
Integrate work across departments to support seamless execution.
Provide timely, senior-level reporting to the CEO and the Board to inform strategic decision-making.
Visitor Experience
Manage visitor operations to deliver an engaging, inclusive, and welcoming experience for all audiences
Establish and uphold service standards that reflect the Museum’s civic role.
Use visitor data, feedback, and evaluation metrics to drive continuous improvement and enhance the overall visitor experience.
Technology, Systems & Organizational Infrastructure
Implement and maintain systems that support fundraising, marketing and communications, ticketing, volunteers, membership, and internal coordination.
Align technology tools and workflows with the Museum’s operational needs and growth objectives.
Ensure reliability, security, and efficiency of systems and processes, fostering smooth operations across the organization.
Define key performance indicators (KPIs) linked to visitor experience, operational effectiveness, and institutional priorities.
Collect, analyze, and interpret data to inform strategic decision-making and drive organizational learning.
Use insights from metrics and feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement across operations, programs, and visitor services.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in Museum Studies, Business/Public Administration, Arts Management, or related field.
Experience: 7–10+ years of progressively responsible leadership in museums, cultural institutions, or mission-driven organizations, including experience in start-up, early-stage, or high-growth environments.
Operational & Strategic Expertise: Demonstrated ability to translate institutional goals into operational plans, build scalable workflows, and implement organizational infrastructure that supports growth.
Project & Program Management: Proven success managing multiple complex initiatives, including projects, programs, and public events.
Facilities & Systems Knowledge: Working knowledge of facilities operations, safety protocols, visitor services, and technology systems supporting non-profit institutions.
Financial Management: Experience managing budgets, vendor contracts, and operational resources.
Team Leadership: Track record of recruiting, supervising, and developing high-performing teams.
Communication and Collaboration: Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to build alignment across internal teams and external partners.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of public, private, and community stakeholders to advance institutional goals, resolve issues, and strengthen organizational impact.
Data-Informed Management: Experience defining KPIs, tracking performance metrics, using data, and providing clear reports and recommendations to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
Technology Proficiency: Comfortable in using project management platforms (e.g. Airtable, Asana), CRM systems (e.g., LiveImpact, Salesforce), and standard office/IT systems.
Commitment to Social Impact: Dedication to accessibility, equity, and inclusion, and community engagement in operations and visitor experience.
Core Attributes
Senior Institutional Leader and Strategic Partner: Operates as a trusted strategic partner to CEO, balancing big-picture thinking with disciplined execution and operational rigor.
Builder’s Mindset: Energized by creating systems, teams, and infrastructure in a start-up environment, comfortable building systems from the ground up.
Hands-On Leadership: Willing to roll up sleeves while maintaining strategic oversight and institutional perspective.
Collaborative Leadership Style: Strengthens teams through trust, collaboration, clarity, and shared accountability.
Analytical Problem-Solver: Anticipates challenges and responds with data-driven thinking, sound judgment, and practical solutions.
Calm Under Pressure: Brings steadiness, clarity, and confidence to time-sensitive, high-visibility operational situations.
Culture Builder: Fosters an inclusive, respectful workplace grounded in learning, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Visitor & Community Focused: Understands the museum’s civic role and prioritizes public experience, access, and community impact.
Compensation:
$100,000–$120,000 per year, depending on experience
Location:
Hybrid. Three or more days on-site in Palo Alto, California. (Role requires regular in-person presence to oversee visitor operations, programs, and facilities, with flexibility for remote work on administrative and strategic tasks)
Be sure to include the job title that you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
The Palo Alto Museum is an equal opportunity employer and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and inclusive leadership. The Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Museum will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.
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Hybrid. Three or more days a week onsite in Palo Alto, California.
Position Summary The Palo Alto Museum seeks a Director of Operations to serve as a senior institutional leader and strategic partner to the President & CEO, responsible for building and leading the operational foundation of the Museum as it opens and grows. This role translates institutional vision into operational reality by designing and managing the systems, workflows, and infrastructure that enable a high-performing, sustainable new museum.
The Director of Operations oversees facilities, visitor experience, volunteers, exhibitions and program logistics, technology systems, safety and security, risk management, and internal operations. In close partnership with the CEO and other senior team members, this Director drives operational planning, strengthens organizational capacity, and ensures execution aligned with the Museum’s mission, strategic priorities, and community impact.
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director manages a small core team—including the Facilities Manager, CRM/Data Coordinator, Programs & Visitor Services Manager, and Venue Rental Manager—and oversees contractors, interns, and volunteers supporting operations, exhibition installations, and public programs to ensure a successful Museum launch and rapid audience growth.
This is a hands-on senior leadership role for a collaborative, results-oriented builder energized by launching and laying the operational foundation for a new institution. The Director drives operational excellence across both public-facing and internal functions, cultivates a high-performing, engaged team, and shapes visitor experiences that are welcoming, accessible, and deeply connected to the Museum’s mission and community impact.
About the Museum Opening in Spring 2026, the Palo Alto Museum brings a historic landmark to life as a 21st-century civic, cultural, and educational hub. Through dynamic exhibitions, programs, and experiences for all ages, the Museum explores Palo Alto stories that shape our community and the world. Join us as we preserve the past, strengthen our community today, and inspire a brighter future together.
Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership & Institutional Strategy
Design and implement operational strategies that advance the Museum’s mission, long-term sustainability, and organizational growth in a dynamic, fast-moving, start-up environment.
Partner with the CEO to translate institutional priorities into actionable plans with clear, measurable outcomes.
Develop scalable systems, policies, and workflows that reflect museum best practices and support a high-performing institution.
Anticipate, identify, and resolve operational risks and challenges across public-facing and internal functions.
Directly supervise the Facilities Manager, CRM/Data Coordinator, Programs & Visitor Services Manager, and Venue Rental Manager, supporting the Museum’s public opening and rapid audience growth.
Oversee day-to-day HR operations for a small team ( Oversee contractors, interns, and volunteers contributing to operations, exhibitions, and public programs.
Work closely with the Director of Finance to align operations with financial systems, processes, and reporting.
Collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders—including City of Palo Alto staff, community partners, and private vendors—to advance institutional priorities.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, professional development, and high performance across all staff.
Facilities, Safety & Stewardship
Steward the Museum’s historic landmark building and physical environment as a public asset.
Ensure operational excellence while prioritizing safety, accessibility, and sustainability.
Oversee vendors, contractors, and service providers supporting building operations, risk management, and insurance compliance.
Manage routine maintenance, repairs, and preventive care to protect the facility and its collections.
Lead the resolution of facilities-related issues, balancing operational needs, community expectations, and City of Palo Alto policies.
Project & Program Operations
Oversee operational planning for exhibitions, programs, and public events, ensuring high-quality delivery
Ensure initiatives advance institutional priorities and visitor-centered outcomes.
Integrate work across departments to support seamless execution.
Provide timely, senior-level reporting to the CEO and the Board to inform strategic decision-making.
Visitor Experience
Manage visitor operations to deliver an engaging, inclusive, and welcoming experience for all audiences
Establish and uphold service standards that reflect the Museum’s civic role.
Use visitor data, feedback, and evaluation metrics to drive continuous improvement and enhance the overall visitor experience.
Technology, Systems & Organizational Infrastructure
Implement and maintain systems that support fundraising, marketing and communications, ticketing, volunteers, membership, and internal coordination.
Align technology tools and workflows with the Museum’s operational needs and growth objectives.
Ensure reliability, security, and efficiency of systems and processes, fostering smooth operations across the organization.
Define key performance indicators (KPIs) linked to visitor experience, operational effectiveness, and institutional priorities.
Collect, analyze, and interpret data to inform strategic decision-making and drive organizational learning.
Use insights from metrics and feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement across operations, programs, and visitor services.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in Museum Studies, Business/Public Administration, Arts Management, or related field.
Experience: 7–10+ years of progressively responsible leadership in museums, cultural institutions, or mission-driven organizations, including experience in start-up, early-stage, or high-growth environments.
Operational & Strategic Expertise: Demonstrated ability to translate institutional goals into operational plans, build scalable workflows, and implement organizational infrastructure that supports growth.
Project & Program Management: Proven success managing multiple complex initiatives, including projects, programs, and public events.
Facilities & Systems Knowledge: Working knowledge of facilities operations, safety protocols, visitor services, and technology systems supporting non-profit institutions.
Financial Management: Experience managing budgets, vendor contracts, and operational resources.
Team Leadership: Track record of recruiting, supervising, and developing high-performing teams.
Communication and Collaboration: Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to build alignment across internal teams and external partners.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of public, private, and community stakeholders to advance institutional goals, resolve issues, and strengthen organizational impact.
Data-Informed Management: Experience defining KPIs, tracking performance metrics, using data, and providing clear reports and recommendations to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
Technology Proficiency: Comfortable in using project management platforms (e.g. Airtable, Asana), CRM systems (e.g., LiveImpact, Salesforce), and standard office/IT systems.
Commitment to Social Impact: Dedication to accessibility, equity, and inclusion, and community engagement in operations and visitor experience.
Core Attributes
Senior Institutional Leader and Strategic Partner: Operates as a trusted strategic partner to CEO, balancing big-picture thinking with disciplined execution and operational rigor.
Builder’s Mindset: Energized by creating systems, teams, and infrastructure in a start-up environment, comfortable building systems from the ground up.
Hands-On Leadership: Willing to roll up sleeves while maintaining strategic oversight and institutional perspective.
Collaborative Leadership Style: Strengthens teams through trust, collaboration, clarity, and shared accountability.
Analytical Problem-Solver: Anticipates challenges and responds with data-driven thinking, sound judgment, and practical solutions.
Calm Under Pressure: Brings steadiness, clarity, and confidence to time-sensitive, high-visibility operational situations.
Culture Builder: Fosters an inclusive, respectful workplace grounded in learning, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Visitor & Community Focused: Understands the museum’s civic role and prioritizes public experience, access, and community impact.
Compensation:
$100,000–$120,000 per year, depending on experience
Location:
Hybrid. Three or more days on-site in Palo Alto, California. (Role requires regular in-person presence to oversee visitor operations, programs, and facilities, with flexibility for remote work on administrative and strategic tasks)
Be sure to include the job title that you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
The Palo Alto Museum is an equal opportunity employer and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and inclusive leadership. The Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Museum will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.
#J-18808-Ljbffr