Operations Specialist

Operations Specialist

The Operations Specialist provides leadership for the VPA Warehouse Gallery, supporting contemporary arts exhibitions, interdisciplinary programming, and community engagement, developing exhibitions, educational programs, and public initiatives supporting the College's mission, student learning, and faculty scholarship.

The Operations Specialist oversees daily Gallery operations, including exhibition planning, program coordination, budget administration, facilities oversight, and risk management, collaborating with faculty, students, leadership, and external partners to foster artistic excellence and community engagement. As lead coordinator for exhibition installation, the Operations Specialist works with artists, faculty, students, and contractors ensuring professional handling and display of artwork, while overseeing exhibition logistics, student supervision, resource management, facility stewardship, safety, and security. As primary administrator, the Operations Specialist works with college leadership to advance the Gallery's educational, creative, and public engagement goals.

Education and Experience - Arts Management or related field required. Master's degree preferred. Three to Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in a gallery, museum, arts center, higher education setting, or comparable culture.

Skills and Knowledge - Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, database systems, and project management software. Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud and familiarity with exhibition design software such as SketchUp preferred. Knowledge of gallery and museum practices, including art handling, exhibition installation, lighting, fabrication methods, collections care, and facility operations. Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities - Gallery Operations and Program ManagementCoordinate and manage the planning, scheduling, and implementation of exhibitions, installations, and public programs. Lead the preparation, installation, deinstallation, and presentation of exhibitions, including artwork handling, layout planning, lighting, signage, fabrication coordination, and exhibition logistics. Work directly with artists, faculty, students, lenders, and contractors to ensure the professional installation and presentation of exhibitions in accordance with accepted gallery and museum standards. Coordinate annual exhibition and programming schedules, including faculty, student, alumni, and visiting artist exhibitions. Develop and maintain operational procedures and standards for gallery activities and space utilization. Oversee gallery operations, facility maintenance, safety, security, and compliance with University policies and procedures.-Supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate graduate and undergraduate student employees; develop training materials and operational guidelines. Monitor and assess exhibition, program, and visitor engagement outcomes and prepare reports as needed.Marketing, Communications, and DocumentationCollaborate with VPA Communications to coordinate marketing, publicity, audience engagement, and social media efforts. Oversee documentation of exhibitions and programs through photography, video, digital content, and archival records. Maintain and expand the Warehouse Gallery presence on Bloomberg Connects and other digital platforms. Develop promotional materials and exhibition content that support engagement, recruitment, fundraising, and institutional visibility. Maintain gallery archives, exhibition records, and related historical documentation.| Outreach, Partnerships, and Community EngagementBuild and maintain relationships with faculty, students, alumni, artists, museums, cultural organizations, and community partners. Represent the Gallery at University and community meetings, events, and professional activities. Support fundraising, sponsorship, and grant-related activities in collaboration with College and University partners. Coordinate collaborative projects and engagement initiatives that support the mission of the Gallery and College. Assist with artist visits, exhibition receptions, lectures, workshops, and other public programs.Administration and Financial ManagementAdminister and monitor the Gallery operating budget in coordination with College and University budget offices. Manage contracts, honoraria, purchasing, reimbursements, travel arrangements, procurement activities, and related financial processes. Maintain financial records and ensure compliance with University policies and fiscal procedures. Assist with budget planning, reporting, and resource management activities.Coordinate facility scheduling, equipment inventories, and operational resource needs.