"Museum Membership and Special Events Manager"

Job Details

Department: Ulrich Museum of Art

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Range $39,800 - 50,000/yr, negotiated based on qualifications

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 9-5, Some evenings and weekends

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

Where Art, Community, and Connection Meet
Are you the kind of person who thrives on juggling details, building relationships, and creating experiences that bring people together? The Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University is looking for a creative project manager and event planner extraordinaire to help us make every exhibition, fundraiser, and community gathering unforgettable. We need a creative visionary to manage the Museum's educational programs and events, oversee the membership database and engagement, and manage the Ulrich Museum store.

This isn’t a sit-behind-the-desk kind of role. You’ll be at the center of it all — coordinating performances, booking artists, managing vendors, and making sure every event runs like a well-curated masterpiece. You’ll also take the lead in donor and member engagement, helping connect the right people to the right projects and ensuring our supporters feel valued and inspired.

Who We Want:
You’re organized to the core — the kind of person who can coordinate multiple events without missing a single detail. You have a knack for connecting with people — donors, artists, students, or community members — and making them feel part of something meaningful. You know your way around event logistics, thrive under pressure, and don’t mind putting in some evenings or weekends when the big moments happen.

If you’re ready to make your mark and build something lasting — one event, one connection, one story at a time — we want to hear from you.

Job Summary

Manages the daily activities of museum membership and special events. Increases awareness of the museum and our mission through community outreach. Assists with fundraising for the museum. Coordinates and produces museum events, including public openings, sculpture dedications, and seasonal gatherings.

Essential Functions

Oversees the daily operations of the museum student staff and volunteers, ensuring compliance with the University, state, and federal laws, policies, and regulations; manages student staff work allocation, evaluations and training. Identifies and researches potential donors and connects donors to projects. Manages and produces fundraising events. Builds museum membership relations. Designs member benefits and coordinates events. Collaborates on the creation of promotional materials for fundraising and membership. Solicits gift-in-kind contributions and sponsorships opportunities with businesses. Research ideas, fundraising opportunities for future events and fundraising campaigns. Develops, coordinates and executes event planning. May coordinate all aspects of events to facilitate effective presentation of programs or events. Assist with logistics for education events and public programs.

Job Duties

• Manage the daily activities of museum membership and special events.
• Oversee museum's membership database and manage mailing updates in mailing lists.
• Increase awareness of the museum and our mission through community outreach.
• Assists with fundraising for the museum.
• Coordinates and produces museum events, including public openings, sculpture dedications, and seasonal gatherings.
• Helps lead Ulrich Alliance volunteer board who assist with events and fundraising.
• Manage the sales and inventory of Ulrich Museum store.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in art or related field
Three (3) years of experience in museum, program sponsorship or related field, with one (1) year of experience in a supervisory role

Required License/Certifications/Training:

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Event and project management, membership/database management.
Experience in retail purchasing and merchandising setting, inventory & point of sale systems.
Comfortable with donor engagement and outreach.
Familiar with volunteers and interns.
Experience with Microsoft Excel and budgeting.
Very organized.
Knowledge of local vendors and suppliers a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in art/museums a plus.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information. Ability to remain in a stationary position. Ability to move, transport, and/or deliver items, supplies, or equipment. Ability to position self to place, construct, and/or maintain equipment and items in designated spaces. This includes but is not limited to the ability to work in confined and elevated spaces. Ability to ascend and descend ladders and/or stairs.

Additional Physical Requirement: