Public Engagement Administrative Coordinator

ABOUT THE ROLE  

The Public Engagement Administrative Coordinator role focuses on planning, organizing, and logistics related to Public Engagement programming  across all three museum locations (Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and Seattle Art Museum Downtown).  

 

ABOUT SAM 

 

As SAM heads into its second century, we are boldly reimagining what we can and should be. Our goal is to be a model for the future of museums - a bold, dynamic hub of creativity, belonging, and cultural leadership, shaping the future of art and community. Embracing new ways of engaging communities and seeking innovative partnerships - all while keeping art and community at the center of what we do. This ambitious effort represents a transformative shift and radically redefining how art museums operate. This is a pivotal moment for SAM, and we are seeking great talent to join us on our journey. Working at SAM is not just a job—it's a chance to be part of a vibrant, creative community.

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Programming

• Provide logistical support to programmers for talks, tours, performances, and other activities to engage visitors through collaboration with curators, community advisors, museum educators, artists, and performers
• Liaise with cross-departmental contacts in Security, Audio-Visual Technology, Facilities, Visitor Experience, Finance, Legal, and Food Services for program and event needs
• Recruit, schedule, and support teaching artists, temporary staff, performers, and volunteers
• Provide comprehensive administrative support for public programs, including event setup and breakdown, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring all program materials and resources are prepared and available, and troubleshooting issues as they arise
• Collect data and prepare reports on program attendance, program engagement, attendee feedback, partnership evaluation, revenue, expenses, and other metrics

Division Support 

• Support the execution of programs across the division across all sites
• Conduct credit card reconciliation
• Work with development and legal teams respectively, to prepare grants and generate contracts for partner organizations and event vendors
• Collaborate with Marketing on promotional activities for public programs by submitting request forms and assisting with writing, editing, and proofreading promotional materials
• Compile and analyze statistics on attendance, revenue, and expenses for divisional records and reports

Community Building

• Actively build and foster strong connections with leaders and groups in the arts and culture community and at other organizations to share out about Public Engagement work
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with local organizations, cultural workers, non-profit partners, artists, and educational entities to build strong community partnerships
• Serve as a contact for community partnership inquiries and communications related to public programs

Other Duties

• Attend Community Engagement Committee meetings as requested
• Contribute to an institutional focus of delivering exceptional, welcoming, and inclusive customer service—creating positive, meaningful experiences for all visitors, every time
• Participate in institutional learning opportunities to grow our collective understanding and integration of antiracism, cultural competency, and equity values into SAM’s work

 

 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR 

Required Qualifications

• One year of programming or administrative experience in an arts or cultural organization
• Interest in Seattle’s contemporary artist communities, including performance, music, literary, and visual art, and the local organizations that serve and support them
• Interest in building and sustaining relationships with diverse communities, neighborhood organizations, and artists
• Successfully complete self-directed work and work as part of a team
• Knowledge of volunteer management, program development, and administration
• Ability to build positive working relationships within as well as outside of organization
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with executives, management, staff, and the public
• Strong orientation to teamwork, collaboration, and flexibility
• Commitment to diversity in programs and to developing and nurturing diverse audiences
• Professional verbal and written communication, with an ability to tailor communications according to audience
• Ability to simultaneously manage several projects
• Successfully assess priorities, work well with deadlines, time management, and problem-solving skills
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in art administration, art education, art history, fine art, education, nonprofit leadership, related field, or equivalent experience
• Experience in the arts and culture, non-profit, or government sectors
• Knowledge of local performing artists and arts organizations
• Two years of programming or administrative experience in an arts or cultural organization

 

 

FLSA Status: Full Time, Non-exempt
Reports To: Director of Public Engagement
Work Location: Seattle Art Museum Downtown, Seattle Asian Art Museum Volunteer Park, and Olympic Sculpture Park 

 

 

BENEFITS 

 

Benefits include a fully employer paid HMP medical plan or an employee contribution PPO plan, dental, vision, and basic life insurance/LTD/AD&D, Flexible Spending Account, Short Term Disability, Supplemental Dental Insurance and participation in SAM’s 403b retirement plan.

 

Following 1 year of service and 1,000 hours worked, SAM makes a discretionary 3% employer contribution regardless of participation and provides an employer match program. Historically, this contribution has been made annually.

 

Additional benefits include paid time off for vacation, PSST, bereavement leave, and jury duty, 14 scheduled holidays, 1 paid floating holiday, a subsidized unlimited Orca card, onsite fitness facility, and an EAP. FT Staff also receive a Patron level membership to SAM, a Tier III membership to the American Alliance of Museums and discounts to museum shop and programming.

 

 

ACCOMODATION 

 

The Seattle Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for all employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions/duties of this position. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact View email address on jobs.lever.co. For candidates, we ask that, if possible, you wait until you're invited to a screen, online technical assessment or interview before requesting an accommodation.

SAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace for all employees and volunteers. Guided by our mission to connect art to life and engage diverse communities, we strive to create a sense of belonging for all of the communities we serve. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military status, or any other protected characteristic

Not sure you check every box? Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often only apply if they meet 100% of the criteria. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply!