Visitor Engagement Manager

The Wharton Esherick Museum is seeking a creative, energetic professional to join their team and advance the public experience as the Visitor Engagement Manager.

As the Visitor Engagement Manager, you’ll be working with a small, dedicated staff to amplify the work of an evolving organization with an important public-facing role. As a member of the leadership team, you’ll work with the staff to ensure that all interactions between visitors, volunteers and staff are as welcoming and engaging as possible. You’ll take a lead role in developing and delivering interpretive and visitor experiences that reflect the spirit of Esherick’s legacy and the joy of discovery throughout his Studio.

Your primary responsibilities will include providing oversight for the development and evaluation of new and existing interpretive programs that advance the mission of WEM to a contemporary audience. A successful candidate will be an emerging or established professional looking for an opportunity to shape the collaborative and innovative work of cultural interpretation, programming, evaluation, and visitor engagement at a growing organization.

The schedule for this part-time position will primarily be Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as the majority of the museum’s visitors pass through the Studio on the weekends, though there is some flexibility. The position has the potential for growth.

In collaboration with all staff, the Visitor Engagement Manager will provide leadership in several key areas of the Museum’s visitor engagement:

Visitor Experience
Manage all aspects of the visitor experience at entry, circulation and exit.
Establishe policies and procedures that promote consistently high-quality experiences for all visitors.
Be attentive and responsive to the needs of our diverse audience.
Develop and implement program evaluation tools to measure and interpret outcomes, program goals and objectives.

Interpretation
In conjunction with the staff, assess, adapt, develop and implement interpretive activities and programs to provide memorable experiences that are in line with the museum’s strategic plan and spirit of place. 
In conjunction with the curator, utilize collections and archives to enhance the visitor experience and develop educational opportunities.
Lead tours of the Museum and deliver direct interpretation to the public; Research and develop in-depth familiarity with Esherick’s work and legacy.

Volunteer Management
Contribute to the management and growth of the volunteer docent program through scheduling, acknowledgement and recruitment of volunteers who are enthusiastic, outgoing, resourceful, and committed to sharing this unique place.
Serve as the lead project manager to redesign the docent training materials and process.
Periodically audit docent tours.
Research and coordinate learning opportunities for docents.

Operations
Oversee the admission ticketing and POS systems, checking for updates, troubleshooting when necessary.
Provide information and assistance to volunteers, staff, or public concerning Museum operations when serving as the senior staff member on site.  
Coordinate operational aspects of tour program; maintain supplies needed for programs and daily operations.

Requirements
Wharton Esherick Museum is committed to addressing inequities in our organizational culture and public programming and creating an environment in which all people are welcomed, appreciated and valued.  We especially encourage members of underrepresented communities to apply.

• Possess or be working towards a Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, education, communications, history or a related field. Relevant experience in place of formal education will also be considered.
• Be comfortable managing a point of sale system, cash transactions, and other front desk operations.
• Knowledge and interest in contemporary craft, art history, design, material culture, etc. preferred.
• Prior visitor services or education experience in a museum setting is highly valued.

Pay range: $15 hourly. 24 hours per week, with potential for growth.

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.