Manager of Public Programs

JOB TITLE: Manager of Public Programs

DEPARTMENT: Public Programs

REPORTS TO: Senior Manager of Public Programs

ABOUT THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL

New York's first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution documenting over 400 years of American history through a peerless collection of art, documents, and artifacts. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We are home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women's History, the Reiss Family Graduate Institute for Constitutional History, the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center for Teaching Democracy, the DiMenna Children's History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ+ Museum. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States' democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better.

JOB SUMMARY

The Manager of Public Programs is responsible for working with the Senior Manager of Public Programs and the program management team in the planning, promotion, and production of evening and daytime public programs throughout the calendar year. The position is full-time and requires evening work 2-4 times per week, as well as select weekend dates.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. Assist in Planning and Implementing Programs

• Manage evening events, walking tours, and weekend programs. This includes but is not limited to: supervision of front- and back-of-house flow, setting up reception and book signing events, providing audience and speaker assistance, etc.;
• Oversee planning and scheduling of seasonal gallery and walking tours, under the direction of the Senior Manager of Public Programs;
• Assist in the production of broadcast recordings for PBS History with David Rubenstein television series (~12 tapings per year) and For the Ages podcast series (~40 episodes per year); ensure editorial producer and editor receive deliverables;
• Supervise execution of program records and reports on program sales and attendance;
• Attend weekly logistics meetings;
• Project management and coordination of volunteer program, including monthly assignment scheduling, correspondence, and logging of hours;
• Assist program team in the research and planning of programming, including evening and morning lectures, walking and gallery tours, and films;
• Assist with researching books, authors, films, and speakers;
• Assist with hiring and management of external support staff for programs.

2. Budget Management

• Develop and manage program budgets, ensuring alignment with departmental and institutional financial goals;
• Track expenses, process invoices, and monitor revenue projections across multiple programs and events;
• Identify opportunities for cost savings while maintaining high-quality program execution;
• Manage vendor contracts, payment schedules, and budget-related documentation;
• Monitor ticket sales, sponsorship revenue, and expense trends to inform future planning;
• Support annual budgeting and long-range financial planning for public programs and special events.

3. Managing Ticketing Software for Department

• Oversee daily use and administration of departmental ticketing software;
• Create and manage event listings, pricing structures, discount codes, and seating configurations;
• Monitor ticket sales and registration data to track performance and attendance trends;
• Coordinate with marketing and communications teams to ensure accurate event information across platforms;
• Troubleshoot ticketing issues and provide customer support related to registrations and purchases
• Generate sales, attendance, and revenue reports for internal stakeholders and leadership;
• Maintain accurate patron records and ensure data integrity within the ticketing system;
• Train staff and collaborators on ticketing procedures, platform updates, and best practices;
• Evaluate ticketing workflows and recommend system improvements to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.

4. Assist in Publication Development

• Research books, authors, and speakers and prepare text for program descriptions and speaker biographies. Assist in gathering information from collaborators, publishers, and speakers;
• Review and edit all text and copy for printed and online publications;
• Coordinate list management functions for the Public Programs Department.

5. Department-Office Administration

• Work with Public Programs team to monitor and respond to complaints or problems, as they arise;
• Assist in the management of program events and prepare periodic status reports on projects for the Senior Manager of Public Programs and CFO;
• Respond to public inquiries via telephone and email. Field inquiries from publishers, authors, and others interested in holding programs;
• Provide administrative support for Public Programs department, as needed;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Arts Administration, History, or related field;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully handle a variety of management and administrative duties and work creatively under pressure;
• Strong writing, editing, and time-management skills required;
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create and manage complex spreadsheets, analyze data, and develop reports and tracking systems;
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office; knowledge of Zoom, Tessitura, and Zkipster is a plus;
• Successfully demonstrated attention to detail and excellent organizational skills;
• Knowledge of public programs at other cultural institutions preferred;
• Ability to complete projects, both on a team and individually, in a fast-paced environment;
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communications skills;
• Experience in event planning is required; must display good judgment to make decisions spontaneously and independently to adapt to event execution;
• Must work well with the public and be a team player.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee with or without accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.


This position may require the employee to lift (up to 25 lbs.), bend, stoop, walk, run, speak and stand for up to 5 hours in a day, during program execution. Sedentary computer work is also required.


COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The expected salary range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000. The successful candidate will be offered a salary based on specific factors such as their individual qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.


New York Historical provides a generous benefits package for eligible employees to support their health and wellbeing, which includes:

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal days, and holidays observed by the Museum;
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance;
• Short and long-term disability coverage options;
• 403(b) retirement plan with eligibility for employer contributions following one year of full-time service;
• Flexible spending accounts for health-related expenses, dependent care, and parking and transit expenses;
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees and their families;
• 20% discount at the NYHistory Store, Café Clara and Clara restaurant, located within the Museum;
• Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions across the city.

The New York Historical is an Equal Opportunity Employer.