Manager, Public Programs

National Urban League•New York, NY

39d•Hybrid

About The Position

In 2026, the National Urban League will open the Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem (UCRM) as New York’s first museum dedicated to civil rights – and one of the first in the nation to focus on the history of civil rights in the North. The Urban Civil Rights Museum will tell the story of the struggle for civil and human rights in urban environments across America. It will empower people to continue to struggle to improve their lives and the lives of all Americans. It will be a place where you can see and feel the work of the many people who fought for justice in urban centers in the North, a place to reﬂect on past civil rights efforts, to imagine new possibilities of collective work and to inspire future action. The Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem seeks an enthusiastic, driven, innovative, and experienced Manager, Public Programs to deliver high quality intergenerational outreach and public programming in-person to local audiences and virtually. Working with the Executive Director and Chief Curator and the Director of Learning and Engagement, the Manager of Public Programs will take a lead role in building community outreach and public engagement in order to design and produce high quality monthly and annual signature community programs, public programming around exhibitions and other intergenerational programming. Annual signature community programs include special programs for MLK Day, Women’s History Month, Black History Month, Earth Day, Pride Month, Juneteenth, and Kwanza celebrations. The Public Programs Manager will develop and maintain community partnerships and work with leadership to create and implement a strategic outreach and public engagement plan. This candidate should have strong local networks and extensive experience in creating events and leading programs. The Manager will craft short-term and long-term programs that activate the rich, interdisciplinary content of the Urban Civil Rights Museum and assist in building strategic relationships locally and nationally. The position will collaborate with other staff to ensure that public programs align with the museum’s goals and are well-integrated across content areas. Areas of responsibility include program development, community outreach, event logistics, website coordination, program publicity, and social media management. Public speaking and strong writing skills are essential to the position. This position will require working several evening and weekend hours.

Requirements

Undergraduate or master’s degree in museum studies, education, communications, theater, performing arts, curatorial studies, history, public history, arts and civic engagement, arts administration, arts production, public affairs, social work, or related discipline preferred.
4-5 years of experience working with the public and creating community activities within an arts or cultural organization.
2-3 years of experience planning, evaluating, and facilitating innovative educational and public programs in a museum.
2-3 years of experience producing public events.
Experience with community collaboration among diverse audiences. Ability to develop programming for diverse populations; demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to socio-ethnic, racial, gender differences and across and communication styles.
Experience working with youth and intergenerational communities.
Maintains strong and diverse networks across multiple sectors.
Demonstrated public presentation skills. Able to adapt presentations and content across age groups and populations. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Grant writing skills.
Strong knowledge of current standards and innovative methodologies in public programming and program evaluation at cultural institutions.
Demonstrated knowledge of African American history, arts and culture and familiarity with Harlem and local neighborhoods.
Strong written and oral communication skills. Must have strong interpersonal skills to interact with the public.
Must be able to plan, prioritize, organize, and execute multiple initiatives simultaneously and independently.
Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, with a strong attention to detail, accuracy, and excellent follow-through skills.
Must demonstrate maturity, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and solid judgment.
Must be a self-starter and act independently.
Solid computer skills using Microsoft Office 365
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Must be able to stand, stoop, bend, sit and climb for extended periods of time to move chairs and tables and set up programming spaces.
May require to work nights and weekends as needed.
Hybrid office schedule

Responsibilities

Public Programs: Manage the short-term and long-term (in-person and virtual) planning, preparation, and execution of recurring and special programs that link the history represented in the Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem to contemporary civic engagement and social justice issues. Work with local organizations to plan events in museum public spaces. Work with Education staff to support and complement learning programs. Develop innovative programs around permanent and rotating exhibitions.
Event Supervision, Coordination & Implementation: Supervise and coordinate planning, preparation, and implementation of all programs with visitors services, education, and facilities staff for all events on weekdays, weekends, and evenings.
Program Publicity: Work closely with visitors services staff and Marketing and Communication to coordinate and prepare all social media, digital and virtual campaigns or projects, website, weekly newsletters, e-blasts, flyers, electronic announcements, advertisements, program descriptions, and press releases to market programs and attract new audiences.
Partnerships: Work with Executive Director to build long-term partnerships with community organizations, national groups and civic organizations that focus on history and social justice issues in order to plan and implement museum programs.
Grant Writing: Assist Executive Director and Partnerships and Advancement in researching public programming grants and grant writing, as needed, by composing program description, participation data, and other information.
Evaluations: Coordinate and develop systematic evaluations for all public programs and reports for all museum program activities.

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