Department Administrator, Visual Arts

The Walker Art Center empowers people to experience the transformative possibilities of the art and ideas of our time and to imagine the world in new ways. In our over 125-year history, we have become one of the most celebrated art museums in the country and we are known for our innovative presentations and acclaimed collections of contemporary art across the spectrum of the visual, performing, and media arts. The Department Administrator, Visual Arts, is a key role ensuring the effective administration of a busy curatorial department. In addition to overseeing daily operations, departmental finances, and contracts related the work of the Visual Arts Department, the Visual Arts Department Administrator has several key areas of ongoing responsibility, including events management for exhibition openings; administration of exhibition opening-day public programs; key support for the Permanent Collection Acquisitions process; and co‑project management of the institution’s annual benefit auction, which has direct impact on the financial success of the Walker’s artistic and educational programs. This role reports to the Senior Curator & Director of Visual Arts; works directly with members of the curatorial team on management of departmental activities; and partners with the Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs in overseeing the Visual Arts departmental budget and exhibition‑related travel and event budgets. This role should ideally have 2‑3 years of experience coordinating curatorial department activities within the art museum field and possess a thorough understanding of the acquisitions and exhibition development process and institutional budgets. This role requires excellent communication skills, including the ability to independently negotiate vendor contracts, and communicate with numerous stakeholders, from staff collaborators to artists, speakers, galleries, high‑level donors, and external partners. This role requires extensive knowledge of Walker protocols and personnel; discretion; the ability to make independent decisions; and capacity to juggle multiple projects with competing timelines. RESPONSIBILITIES Visual Arts Departmental Administration Financial Management Draft and manage Visual Arts departmental budget, which encompasses department events, hosting, discretionary travel, artist site visits, and other departmental activity. Manage all artist, independent contractor, and visitor payments (artist fees, contractor fees, per diems, transportation, reimbursements, etc.) Manage use of the department credit card, including making and monitoring purchases, reconciling appropriate expenditures, and working with Accounting to prepare for special circumstances, additional cards, and credit limit changes Contracts Draft and execute contracts and agreements for exhibition and collection‑related artists, opening‑day public program speakers, independent contractors, and estates Negotiate contracts with external vendors for exhibition related offsite dinners and opening events, Visual Arts‑sponsored convenings, and other events. Travel Arrangements Organize travel and lodging for artists, independent contractors, estates, and other VIPs Manage contract payment schedules and travel/lodging/payment records Provide itineraries, administrative support, and resources to visitors throughout travel and visit Assist with travel logistics for Senior Curator & Director of Visual Arts and other curators as requested by Senior Curator & Director of Visual Arts General Departmental Communication and Administration Serve as main point of contact in department for institutional needs including Visual Arts contributions to institutional and fundraising documents, including the Annual Report, Vital Signs, Long Range Acquisitions Plan, Institutional and Departmental Priorities; and other initiatives Manage departmental calendar, oversee the scheduling and agendas for departmental meetings and curatorial retreats Organize departmental hospitality for meetings, celebrations, and events Organize staff tours for Visual Arts exhibitions Support meeting and calendar management for Senior Curator and Director of Visual Arts Route interdepartmental deadlines and approvals including Seasonal Copy & Content Deadlines, Magazine Approvals, and the Reader deadlines (when applicable) Respond to or route unsolicited emails and phone calls related to departmental, acquisition, or collection inquiries Administer onboarding plans for new Visual Arts employees with Senior Curator & Director of Visual Arts Events Management Avant Garden Auction Serve as Visual Arts administrative partner and co‑project manager with Director of Benefit Events and Curatorial Liaison for annual auction event tasked at raising up to $600,000 Research, negotiate, and secure auction platform in collaboration with Director of Benefit Events and work closely with auction platform on all details Organize agendas and co‑lead auction meetings, develop and track auction materials, and manage deadlines Manage internal and external communication, paperwork, timelines, payments, RSVPs, and document filing/archiving related to the auction Walker-hosted Receptions & Dinners In collaboration with Development department, manage invitations for Visual Arts guests, including drafting invitation copy, coordinating list generation and approvals, and collaboration with Marketing to send out invitations and reminders Manage Visual Arts guest RSVP tracking, RSVP entry into Tessitura, and all communication and visitor support for Visual Arts guests for opening events Serve as point of contact for Visual Arts VIPs throughout duration of event Offsite Private/Hosted Dinners and Events Negotiate private event contracts with restaurants for private dinners or offsite events Work closely with offsite venues and any external funders (including galleries and Walker trustees) for hosting offsite dinners/events; manage all arrangements, contracts, and financial transactions related to event Manage all logistics for private dinners/events, including routing all internal and external approvals; generating invitations; managing invitation lists; coordinating menus; tracking RSVPs; generating seating charts; and providing support for visiting artists, out‑of‑town guests, and other VIPs Administration of Conferences, Convenings, Symposia, and other special initiatives Negotiate contracts with hotels, transportation, and restaurants for events Process payments for hotels, transportation, and restaurant agreements Organize meetings, room reservations, catering, external dinners, and tours Generate invitations, manage invitation lists, track RSVPs and provide visitor support Serve as onsite point of contact for contracted partners and all visitors Exhibition Related Public Program Administration Serve as main point of contact for all exhibition opening‑related public program speakers, overseeing speaker engagement from contracting to travel arrangements to hosting. Organize tech checks, videography, photography, and all program‑related meetings with necessary stakeholders Prepare related documents and coordinate with Curatorial, EP, VE, Marketing, and PELI teams for ongoing preparations and troubleshooting Serve as primary point of contact on day‑of, communicating with Artist/Speakers, Curatorial, EP, VE, and PELI to manage day‑of needs and program timing Oversee all offsite private dinners and other hosting, including negotiation of contracts and management of events Acquisitions Support Manage invitations, RSVPs, and tech support for Board of Trustees Acquisitions Committee Meetings Provide agenda updates, rescheduling, and tech support for Acquisition Discussion & Brainstorm Meetings with Visual Arts curatorial team, Chief Curator, and Executive Director Working with Curator of Visual Arts and Collections Strategy, provide administrative leadership for Long Range Acquisition Plan process Assist as needed with special collections initiatives Qualifications and Experience 3+ years administrative support experience; preferably 2+ years working for senior level managers. 3+ years working in a standard office environment, having experience composing business correspondence, operating common office equipment, and using the full MS Office suite. Knowledge of database and/or project managing applications preferred, particularly Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office Suite; knowledge of Airtable and Tessitura a plus. Demonstrated experience working with budgets, adhering to standard budgetary practices and fiscal controls. Experience scheduling meetings and arranging travel (international and national) and associated hosting is strongly preferred. Event management experience. Demonstrated excellence in organization, prioritization and time management. Proven ability to work independently. Must be able to communicate professionally and diplomatically to a variety of audiences on multiple mediums Must be resourceful, being able to anticipate needs and adapt to unexpected challenges. Experience working in the arts community and/ or interest in contemporary art is a plus. Physical and Environmental Requirements Ability to work in a professional office with frequent use of a computer, telephone, and standard office equipment. Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods. Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate computers, keyboards, and other office equipment. Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, video conference, and written correspondence. Ability to occasionally move, transport, or set up event‑related materials, supplies, and hospitality items weighing up to 25 pounds. Ability to attend and support evening, weekend, or special events, including exhibition openings, receptions, auctions, and donor functions. Visual ability to review detailed documents, budgets, contracts, event materials, and electronic records with or without reasonable accommodation. JOB SPECIFICATIONS This position is considered full‑time, non‑exempt. As a non‑exempt position, it is eligible for overtime pay. The compensation for this role is $27.98 hourly. The Walker offers a wide range of benefits for both part‑time and full‑time employees, click link to view benefits: This position is covered by the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) labor contract. This position is not eligible for relocation assistance. All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship. Walker’s DEI commitment The Walker is committed to being an employer with a staff who, at all job levels, reflects the rich diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We are dedicated to ensuring inclusion and equity in all our employment practices. We deeply value and welcome all the unique lived experiences in our applicants and encourage anyone meeting the minimum requirements to apply. Recruitment Timeline All positions are open until filled. E-Verify Participation Notice Walker Art Center participates in E‑Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. For more information, please review the following notices: E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish) Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish) #J-18808-Ljbffr