Director of Public Engagement

Seattle Art Museum•Seattle, WA

1d•$113,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Public Engagement leads the strategic direction, development, and performance of accessible, engaging public engagement programs for adult and intergenerational audiences across all Seattle Art Museum sites. The role sets departmental priorities, manages resources and outcomes, builds sustainable community relationships, and advances institutional goals. It also provides leadership, coaching, and accountability for the Public Engagement team, including site managers, coordinators, and teaching artists. The Director establishes a multi-year strategy and oversees an integrated portfolio that includes lectures, discussions, gallery talks, symposia, performances, film series, late-night events, outdoor programs, and exhibition-related experiences. The role guides cross-functional planning and community partnerships, broadens audience participation, and uses audience feedback and other evidence to assess impact and inform programming. The Director also manages departmental plans, staffing and professional development, budgets, contracts, and reporting, and partners with Development, Marketing & Communications, Visitor Experience, Curatorial, Education, Security, Facilities, and other teams. The role represents SAM with artists, community organizations, cultural leaders, and peer institutions. It contributes to welcoming and inclusive visitor experiences and participates in institutional learning related to antiracism, cultural competency, and equity. This is a full-time, exempt position based at the Seattle Art Museum Downtown and reports to the Chief of Creative Strategy & Storytelling.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, art history, museum studies, arts management, cultural studies, public history, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Seven to nine years of progressively responsible experience in public engagement, cultural programming, museum education, or related work.
At least three years of people management experience.
Demonstrated success developing and executing department-level strategies that connect artistic and educational excellence with broad audience participation.
Deep knowledge of innovative cultural programming, audience engagement practices, and contemporary museum approaches.
Experience leading complex program portfolios, developing and managing budgets, evaluating outcomes, and overseeing contracts and operational resources.
Commitment to equity, antiracist practice, accessibility, and culturally responsive programming.
Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, influence stakeholders, and align diverse partners around shared institutional objectives.
Track record of building trusted, sustained partnerships with diverse communities, neighborhood organizations, artists, and cultural institutions.
Ability to advise senior leaders and communicate effectively with executives, trustees, donors, staff, community partners, and the public.
Strong collaborative leadership, judgment, adaptability, and ability to navigate organizational complexity.
Demonstrated ability to broaden and diversify audiences through inclusive program and partnership strategies.
Sound, timely judgment and diplomacy in resolving complex or sensitive issues.
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to adapt communication for diverse audiences.
Proven people leadership, coaching, performance management, and organizational planning capabilities.
Strong strategic planning, analytical, project management, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to exercise discretion in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Asana, Slack, and internet-based research.
Ability to pass and maintain security background check clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Three years of supervisory experience in a museum or similar environment.
Expertise with project management, community engagement, and culturally responsive programming.

Responsibilities

Establish and execute a multi-year public engagement strategy aligned with institutional priorities, audience goals, and equitable, visitor-centered experiences.
Direct the department’s public programs portfolio, including priorities, quality standards, resource allocation, and measures of success across museum sites.
Develop strategies to broaden participation, deepen audience engagement, and expand community awareness and appreciation of art.
Lead, coach, and evaluate department staff; set performance expectations, develop talent, and foster a collaborative and accountable team culture.
Provide strategic direction for lectures, discussions, gallery talks, symposia, performances, film series, late-night events, outdoor programs, and exhibition-related experiences.
Establish operating systems, cross-functional processes, and decision-making practices to improve program quality, efficiency, and coordination.
Own departmental annual plans, goals, staffing and professional development priorities, program evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with Development to identify funding opportunities, shape proposals, steward funder relationships, and ensure timely grant reporting and delivery.
Partner with Marketing & Communications and Visitor Experience to define audiences, align outreach, strengthen promotion, and incorporate audience insights into program decisions.
Represent SAM with artists, cultural leaders, community organizations, and peer institutions; initiate partnerships and collaborative initiatives.
Lead departmental participation in annual operating and capital planning, including resource forecasts and financial trade-offs.
Develop, manage, and monitor departmental budgets; oversee responsible financial stewardship, contracts, and reporting on program impact.
Oversee the design and delivery of an integrated public engagement portfolio across sites, ensuring artistic relevance, accessibility, operational readiness, and strategic alignment.
Direct cross-functional planning with Curatorial, Education, Security, Facilities, Visitor Experience, and other teams, resolving competing priorities and complex program challenges.
Guide collaboration with curators, community advisors, museum educators, artists, and performers on programs connected to exhibitions, collections, and community interests.
Set strategies for inclusive community engagement, access initiatives, and partnerships that expand participation and build lasting relationships with underserved audiences.
Cultivate and steward relationships with community leaders, artists, cultural organizations, and educational partners; represent SAM externally and negotiate collaborative opportunities.
Monitor trends, peer practices, and audience feedback; use qualitative and quantitative evidence to assess effectiveness and inform future investments.
Oversee community partnership programs, setting objectives, reciprocal expectations, and measures of impact.
Contribute to exceptional, welcoming, and inclusive customer service and meaningful visitor experiences.
Participate in institutional learning to integrate antiracism, cultural competency, and equity values into SAM’s work.

Benefits

Fully employer-paid HMP medical plan or employee-contribution PPO plan.
Dental, vision, and basic life insurance, including LTD and AD&D.
Flexible Spending Account.
Short Term Disability.
Supplemental Dental Insurance.
Participation in SAM’s 403b retirement plan.
After one year of service and 1,000 hours worked, a discretionary 3% employer contribution regardless of participation, plus an employer match program.
Paid time off for vacation, PSST, bereavement leave, and jury duty.
14 scheduled holidays and one paid floating holiday.
Subsidized unlimited Orca card.
Onsite fitness facility.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Patron-level SAM membership for full-time staff.
Tier III membership to the American Alliance of Museums for full-time staff.
Discounts to the museum shop and programming.