Public Engagement Manager

Bard College, a private institution working in the public interest.

The Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College (CCS Bard) is seeking a full-time

Public Engagement Manager

(PEM). As a first point of contact with the visiting public and a critical bridge between CCS Bard and multiple, diverse audiences on and off the Bard College campus, the PEM’s primary goal will be to increase and expand public engagement and improve visitor experiences at CCS Bard and the Hessel Museum.

Part of Bard College, the Center for Curatorial Studies is a multifaceted center encompassing a contemporary art museum (the Hessel Museum of Art), a graduate program in curatorial studies, and a library and archives. The Hessel Museum is open year‑round and presents approximately 20 exhibitions annually, including major exhibitions in the summer and fall, graduate student‑curated thesis exhibitions in the spring, as well as lectures, symposia, performances, and other public events. The Museum receives visitors of all ages from across the Hudson Valley, New York City, and beyond. To increase access for students and local communities, CCS Bard partners with over 50 local schools, community‑based organizations, programs and departments at Bard College, and a wide variety of arts and educational nonprofits in the area.

The PEM will be responsible for building on this momentum, strengthening relationships with existing community partners and establishing new ones, and bringing new ideas to the table that take our outreach and engagement work to the next level. The PEM will manage the CCS Bard social media accounts as well as all aspects of the Museum’s front of house in order to create a welcoming, accessible, and dynamic environment for all visitors. They will be in charge of coordinating and producing CCS Bard public programs, including artist talks, panel discussions, and other programming that takes place throughout the year.

This is an in‑person role reporting to the Artistic Director, working a Tuesday‑Saturday schedule when the Museum is open to the public and Monday‑Friday during install/deinstall periods, subject to change. Occasional evenings, Sundays, and holidays may be required for special events, programs, or openings.

Public Outreach, Engagement, and Programming

Reach out to and coordinate with departments, programs, and classes across Bard College to develop partnerships and arrange visits to the Museum, including with Bard’s first‑year orientation program, Language & Thinking

Lead outreach to and engagement with local communities in the surrounding area, fostering relationships with key organizations and building or expanding community partnerships; work with local community partners to arrange visits to the Museum and on‑site learning opportunities for groups of different ages

Engage with online communities through management of the CCS Bard social media accounts (primarily Instagram), maintaining a content schedule, creating posts that reflect the multifaceted activities of CCS Bard and the Hessel Museum, and responding to questions and comments from community members

Develop and execute outreach initiatives that bring new audiences to the Museum, including community‑based programs and events; collaborate on strategies to increase the visibility of the Museum and its programming in local communities

Design, organize, and conduct tours of the exhibitions from members of Bard College, local audiences, and visiting groups; hire and train Bard College students to work as Museum docents, leading tours and answering visitor questions

Coordinate and staff the Museum’s public programs, including artist talks, panel discussions, symposia, performances, and other public events developed by CCS Bard staff and outside curators; manage the public program calendar and oversee production logistics including A/V, technical setup, presenter coordination, assembly of event information for the website and promotional materials, presenter release forms, and run‑of‑show

Visitor Services and Front‑of‑House Management

Manage and oversee all operations of the Museum’s front of house, including the main entrance, atrium, front desk, bookstore, and café

Hire, train, and supervise a visitor services team consisting of part‑time graduate and undergraduate student workers to staff the Museum’s front desk, café, and galleries with an emphasis on creating a welcoming environment

Prepare a monthly visitor services team schedule that supports the staffing needs of exhibitions on view, current programs, and special events

Ensure CCS Bard’s current accessibility policies and procedures are implemented, while also being responsive to new needs for accessibility as they arise

Collaborate on the production of museum interpretation and directional signage; create guidelines for visitor services staff on operating audio/visual equipment and other exhibition‑related functions

Qualifications

Experience in public engagement/programming, education, visitor services, community outreach, or a related role at a museum or arts organization

Ability to lead, manage, motivate, and evaluate staff

Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills

Comfortable with public speaking and leading large groups

Professional, friendly demeanor

Proactive and motivated to take initiative and bring new ideas to the table

Ability to remain flexible and focused in a busy work environment

Highly organized and able to plan and prioritize deadlines and assignments effectively

Accepting of new and diverse points of view

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team

Ability to deal with and use discretion with confidential matters

Proficiency with Mac OS and Google Workspace

Valid New York State Driver’s License

This position requires long periods of computer use and sometimes long periods of standing; the PEM will need to be able to talk and hear, walk around, and occasionally work outdoors (during cl­ement weather), as well as be able to lift boxes (20 lbs. and under), office equipment, or small pieces of furniture

Compensation
The salary for this position is $65,000 annually plus a comprehensive benefits package.

This salary range reflects the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.

Benefits Overview
We are pleased to offer our full‑time employees an excellent benefit package which includes multiple health insurance options, TIAA retirement plans, generous vacation, sick, and personal time, and more. To learn more about employee benefits and eligibility at Bard College, please visit https://www.bard.edu/humanresources/benefits/.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Bard is an equal‑opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.

Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

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