OVERVIEW

Founded in 2021, Museums Moving Forward (“MMF”) is an independent, limited-life organization devoted to envisioning and creating a more just museum sector by 2030. Together with a diverse network of museums, cultural workers, and philanthropists across the US, MMF drives urgent conversations about the most effective ways to make and measure real change inside museum workplaces. Through data, discourse, and empowerment, MMF is committed to the evolution of museums toward equity by improving the working conditions and lives of cultural workers.

The Head of Operations will play a major role at MMF during an exciting moment in the history of the organization. MMF is currently led by Executive Director Mia Locks and an inaugural Board of Stakeholders comprising other curators, educators, and museum program staff. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director and Head of Programs, the Head of Operations will grow MMF’s capacity to engage and learn from cultural workers across the country by supporting the management of activities across the organization, including governance, finance, fundraising, and the program. There will also be a particular emphasis on the stewardship of relationships with MMF’s growing network of museum partners and cultural workers. In addition, the responsibilities of this role will include the management of annual work plans, calendars and travel, databases, communications initiatives, and correspondence with contractors.

Importantly, the individual strengths and experiences of the candidate selected will further inform the responsibilities and opportunities offered by this role, both across the entire organization and through ownership over more specific aspects of the program. The aspiration is for this position to grow, contributing even more directly to the program, mission, and vision of MMF.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Head of Operations will advance the mission of MMF by working closely with the Executive Director and, collaboratively, with the growing staff, board members, guest writers, publishing partners, advisors, and volunteers.

VALUES

As an employer, Museums Moving Forward operates in alignment with its mission and its four core institutional values—Care, Equity, Accountability, and Impact—by: committing to thoughtful and clear communication about our mutual roles and expectations, with the utmost consideration for the ebb-and-flow of our staff’s personal and professional well-being; sharing tasks of all kinds, however large or small, among all staff, with the knowledge they contribute as a whole to the mission and health of the organization; and encouraging the exploration of alternative management and governance styles, especially approaches that productively question prevalent hierarchical structures.

PRINCIPAL OPPORTUNITIES

This position was designed to accommodate an individual with a desire to work collaboratively, build their knowledge of nonprofit management, and contribute their expertise to the broader movement toward equity within the museum sector. The candidate selected will have the opportunity to:

● Contribute to the overall capacity of MMF by developing the skills required to manage the operations of a nonprofit organization, with their time roughly evenly divided between programmatic and operational work;

● Work as a member of a deeply invested team, sharing with and learning from one’s colleagues, with opportunities to grow the role and shape MMF’s program long-term;

● Familiarize themselves with, work alongside, and learn from MMF’s nationwide community of 2,000+ museum directors, curators, educators, and other cultural workers, by communicating and coordinating their participation in MMF programs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

● Build and manage a robust annual calendar and work plan for the organization, spanning governance, staffing, program, communications, finance, and fundraising activities;

● Set meaningful qualitative and quantitative metrics to measure and maintain progress towards annual goals;

● Establish and drive the internal meeting structure and accountability necessary to succeed with all areas of work;

● Strategically align public announcements, social media posts, newsletters, event invites, and other forms of communication, with programmatic milestones, including the workflow required to meet these milestones;

● Plan meetings alongside the Executive Director with stakeholders of all kinds, occasionally preparing agendas and taking minutes;

● Coordinate travel and accommodations for the team when needed;

● Optimize consistent data-entry for programs, communications, finance, and fundraising activities (through use of Neon One, Asana, Quickbooks);

● Manage basic financial transactions, such as processing invoices for contractors and staff reimbursements;

● Coordinate contracts with independent contractors;

● Respond to general inquiries through the MMF email account;

● As cited earlier, direct contributions to the shape and focus of MMF’s program have the potential to expand and shift these responsibilities, based on the interests and performance of the individual.

QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

The ideal candidate for the Head of Operations position possesses:

● Bachelor’s degree in a related field, equivalent experience, or has made meaningful contributions to their communities;

● 3-5 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, preferably museums, and the enthusiasm to deepen their knowledge of nonprofit administration;

● Capacity and desire to learn and knowledgeably engage with MMF’s mission and its community of cultural workers, and is able to translate this commitment into reliable daily work;

● Excited by the unique challenges that come with supporting a next-generation organization during a pivotal moment of growth;

● Supremely organized and motivated to increase efficiencies wherever possible;

● A proficient writer and editor able to communicate with a variety of stakeholders, independent contractors, and the general public;

● Interested in new ways of structuring tasks and deadlines through a thoughtful approach to project management;

● Able to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines;

● Familiar with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, and other standard platforms and technologies;

● Experienced with the use and optimization of Neon One CRM, Asana, Mailchimp, and Quickbooks; or comparable programs.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Head of Operations role involves:

● Remaining in a stationary position, often in front of a computer;

● Using a keyboard, mouse, phone, and other office equipment;

● Navigating event sites of varying layouts;

● Occasional domestic travel, including two-to-three night stays, to support the production of workshops, gatherings, and other events.

MMF is committed to providing the same access, benefits, and privileges to workers with and without disabilities.

Application Instructions / Public Contact Information

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to opportunities@museumsmovingforward.com.

MMF is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants receive consideration without regard to race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

For more information, visit: www.museumsmovingforward.com/opportunities.

Application Deadline
10/31/2024

Museums Moving Forward jobs

Head of Operations