Program Manager

West 4th Strategy•New London, CT

15d•$110,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

The National Coast Guard Museum (NCGM) is a new 80,000-square-foot national museum in New London, Connecticut, built to honor the history and missions of the U.S. Coast Guard and expected to welcome approximately 300,000 visitors annually. The Program Manager is the senior on-site manager responsible for contractor performance, workforce supervision, quality control, and contract administration. The role directs daily services across administration, visitor services, volunteer coordination, education support, IT/AV support, exhibit maintenance, and event support, and serves as the key liaison with the Government. This is a full-time opportunity with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. The position is W-2 only; relocation is not offered. Employment is contingent on passing a federal background investigation and meeting facility and system access requirements. The successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen. The primary workstation is in an office area with low-to-moderate noise. The role regularly involves sitting for extended periods, up to 80% of the time, and frequently moving around to access file cabinets and use office equipment. It occasionally requires reaching overhead, bending, and lifting objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Computer monitor use is required for up to 80% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor's or master's degree in museum studies, art history, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
Seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a museum, cultural institution, public attraction, or similar nonprofit environment, including at least three years managing budgets and personnel.
Deep familiarity with managing personnel and performance management.
Familiarity with museum back-of-house operations, including registration, collections care, exhibition production, and facility management.
Experience planning and monitoring complex operating budgets and labor expenditures.
Proficiency in performance management, recruitment, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
Proven track record of translating a five-year strategic vision into actionable annual work plans and KPIs.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must pass a federal background investigation and meet facility and system access requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience running a museum or familiarity with the Coast Guard mission and history, enabling training of contractor staff with minimal Government oversight.
Crisis and risk management experience, including facility emergencies such as leaks and security breaches and public relations crises.
Experience implementing modern museum technology, such as advanced Collection Management Systems (CMS) or digital visitor engagement tools.
Ability to mediate between curatorial staff on the creative side and administrative staff on the fiscal side.

Responsibilities

Oversee contractor performance, including workforce supervision, quality control, coordination, and contract administration.
Direct daily contractor-provided services, including administration, visitor services, volunteer coordination, education support, IT/AV support, exhibit maintenance support, and event support.
Serve as the key liaison between the contractor and the Government for contract performance and support of museum operations.
Manage contractor invoicing, staffing costs, performance records, and communications with the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
Recommend contractor procedures and support implementation of Government-approved museum policies.