"Manager of Academic and Public Engagement"

Manager of Academic and Public Engagement

College of the Holy Cross

Full Time
JREQ-000286

At Holy Cross, we are focused on creating a world-class workforce by attracting and retaining employees dedicated to fostering a culture of professionalism, pride, mutual trust, and respect-one that values appreciation and recognition, empowering each of us to flourish both individually and collectively. We seek candidates who are inspired by our mission and values, and who are eager to make a meaningful difference on our campus. Learn more about Life at Holy Cross here.

The Manager of Academic and Public Engagement at the Cantor Art Gallery will support the Gallery Director in expanding and enhancing student, faculty, and public engagement with exhibitions and collections. Reporting to the Director, this role leads the planning and delivery of curricular engagement and public programs connected to the Gallery's exhibitions and collections, with a strong emphasis on student participation, inclusive pedagogy, and cross-campus collaboration. The Manager will play a key role in situating the Gallery within a diverse intellectual community at Holy Cross by maintaining relationships across academic departments on campus, integrating the liberal arts values of the classroom with the Gallery's exhibitions and collections, and shaping meaningful experiences that foster belonging, dialogue, and critical engagement through the arts. The Manager also oversees student employees who support daily visitor experience and program operations.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Academic Learning and Engagement

• Lead the Gallery's academic engagement strategy, shaping the design and delivery of interpretive and curricular programs for students, faculty, and the public.
• Serve as primary liaison to faculty for planning class visits; schedule, facilitate, and instruct various student, school, and adult groups.
• Consult with faculty to design course-specific engagement with rotating exhibitions.
• Develop interpretive tools and learning resources (gallery guides, prompts, object labels/handouts, digital resources, activity stations, and self-guided materials) that support and extend multiple learning styles and accessible engagement.
• With Director, help coordinate experiential learning opportunities for students through Roger Hankins internship, Weiss summer research fellowship, and other academic experiences.
• Expand partnerships and programs, in consultation with Director, with College student groups, as well as area K-12 students and regional colleges and universities.
• Track participation in academic engagement (courses served, student participation, feedback), and use data to improve programming and demonstrate impact.

Public Programs and Engagement

• Partner with the Director and campus collaborators (including the Prior Performing Arts Center and academic departments) to develop programs that extend the Gallery's contributions throughout campus and into the community.
• Conceive, co-create, and produce public programs that explore themes and objects from exhibitions and the collection, and respond to community interests.
• Identify target audience groups and develop public programs to respond to the needs and interests of various constituents.
• Manage logistics for Gallery programs: create and process contracts, make hospitality arrangements for visiting scholars, work with contacts across the Prior Performing Arts Center and the College to coordinate schedules, spaces, and technical needs.

Visitor Experience Support

• Foster a student work environment grounded in professionalism, learning, and belonging; provide regular feedback and mentorship.
• Coordinate coverage for public programs, class visits, and busy gallery periods, in collaboration with the Office Coordinator.

Operations, Budgeting, and Development Support

• Oversee and coordinate budget activities related to academic engagement and public programs, including tracking expenses and reconciling program costs.
• Assist with grant writing; initiate, research, and execute grant opportunities to support educational programs.
• Support inclusive environment and foster culture of the recognition and support of diversity and equity.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in a small-staff environment.
• Play a key role in communications and outreach throughout the campus.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in museum education, public programming, academic engagement, arts administration, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating programs for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated facilitation/teaching experience with groups.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple projects.
• Flexible, collaborative thinker and demonstrated ability to work with a team setting.
• Strong commitment to supporting inclusive environment and fostering culture of the recognition and support of diversity and equity.
• Able to work occasional evening/weekend hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or advanced coursework in art history, studio art, arts administration, museum studies, or art education.
• Experience supervising employees and/or student workers.
• Comfort with event production logistics (contracts, A/V coordination, accessibility planning, etc.).

About the Cantor Art Gallery

The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery exists to promote and support the intellectual and cultural life of Holy Cross. Through its exhibitions and acquisitions, both historical and contemporary, the Gallery serves as a catalyst for the search for meaning and value in life and history. The Cantor Gallery has special responsibility for integrating the liberal arts values of the College and the classroom by linking exhibitions to the broader curriculum.

Through Gallery exhibitions, Holy Cross educates members of the College community, the Worcester community and the larger community of scholars and artists about the fundamental intellectual, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic issues encountered through art.

Located in the new Prior Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the art integrated arts building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the Cantor Art Gallery is heavily integrated into the academic and intellectual life of the College. The role of the Gallery is rooted in the Catholic, Jesuit, liberal arts identity of the College, which is detailed in the College's Mission Statement (here) and Aspire, the College's strategic plan (here).

The salary range for the Manager of Academic and Public Engagement is $63,000-$70,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications. The College is committed to providing competitive market pay for its employees.

Weekly Hours: 40

Application Instructions

An updated resume and cover letter are required as a part of your internal application. In your cover letter, please reflect on how your professional and personal values align with the Mission of the College of the Holy Cross to form individuals of integrity and purpose who are committed to the flourishing of all.

To review our generous benefits options, please review our detailed information here or check out our Benefits at a Glance.