Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Manager of Visitor Experience & Interpretation

The Wharton Esherick Museum (WEM) seeks a Manager of Visitor Experience & Interpretation (MVEI) to manage our tour programs and advance the visitor experience across all aspects of museum engagement. This position combines hands-on interpretive work with the management of visitor services and educational programming. The MVEI will lead tours of the museum complex and will manage the museum’s tour program, including overseeing the online reservation system and assisting the public with making reservations.

As part of WEM’s small, collaborative team, the MVEI will work closely with staff and volunteers to deliver high-quality tours and programs, oversee daily visitor operations, and contribute to the continued development of interpretive and educational initiatives during an exciting time of institutional growth.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead tours and deliver direct interpretation to the public through participatory and conversational educational programming.
  • Welcome and orient guests to the site, ensuring that all interactions between visitors, volunteers, and staff are warm and engaging.
  • Manage all facets of the WEM tour program, including assisting the public in booking tours, answering phone calls and email correspondence, overseeing the online reservation system, and scheduling volunteer docents.
  • Oversee front-of-house functions, including processing admissions and store transactions via our POS system.
  • Collaborate with staff on public programs and special events that expand interpretive reach and audience engagement.
  • Contribute to evaluation and audience development initiatives, collecting visitor feedback and supporting data entry and analysis.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will bring enthusiasm for connecting audiences with Esherick’s life and work and contributing to the programmatic and operational development of a growing institution.

  • Coursework or a degree in museum studies, education, communications, art, architecture, art history, history, or a related field is welcomed, though equivalent experience will also be considered.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and verbal communication skills; ability to engage diverse audiences with curiosity and care.
  • Knowledge of or interest in contemporary craft, art history, design, architecture, material culture, etc. preferred.
  • Prior customer service, visitor services, education, or general experience in an arts or museum setting is highly valued.
  • Be comfortable managing a point-of-sale system, cash transactions, and other front desk operations.
  • Ability to work weekends and occasional evenings for programs and events.

At WEM, our workplace culture centers on experimentation, distributed leadership, and values-driven decision-making. We believe that how we work together is as important as what we accomplish. We seek team members who will contribute not only their professional expertise but also their curiosity, empathy, and creativity to our workplace. Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

  • Collaborative Spirit: A commitment to teamwork and shared problem-solving, with respect for diverse perspectives and the unique strengths each person brings.
  • Flexibility and Adaptability: Comfort working in a dynamic environment where priorities evolve and creativity thrives; a readiness to pivot between independent work and hands-on collaboration.
  • Accountability and Integrity: A sense of personal responsibility for one’s work and the museum’s mission, combined with a willingness to learn and grow from feedback.
  • Empathy and Inclusion: Dedication to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to contribute.
  • Creative Thinking: A willingness to experiment, take initiative, and think through making—embracing Esherick’s spirit of innovation and curiosity.
  • Respect for Labor and Craft: Appreciation for the skill, time, and care that go into creative and operational work alike.

Schedule and Compensation:

This is a part-time, non-exempt position scheduled for approximately 21 hours per week. The regular weekly schedule for this role is Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, reflecting the Museum’s public-facing operations and visitor needs.

WEM recognizes that flexibility is essential to sustaining a healthy workplace culture. While weekend availability is a core expectation of this role, WEM understands that life events and personal obligations happen. Staff may request schedule adjustments or shift swaps in coordination with team coverage and operational needs. WEM approaches scheduling collaboratively and aims to balance organizational consistency with reasonable flexibility for staff.

The Wharton Esherick Museum (WEM) seeks a Manager of Visitor Experience & Interpretation to manage our tour programs and advance the visitor experience across all aspects of museum engagement. This position combines hands-on interpretive work with the management of visitor services and educational programming. The Manager of Visitor Experience and Interpretation will lead tours of the museum complex and will manage the museum’s tour program, including overseeing the online reservation system and assisting the public with making reservations.

As part of WEM’s small, collaborative team, the Manager of Visitor Experience and Interpretation will work closely with staff and volunteers to deliver high-quality tours and programs, oversee daily visitor operations, and contribute to the continued development of interpretive and educational initiatives during an exciting time of institutional growth.