Public Programs Coordinator

The Museum of the City of New York fosters understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the world’s most influential metropolis. It engages visitors by celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the city’s past, present, and future.

The Public Programs Coordinator plays a pivotal role within the Public Programs team, managing the day-to-day operations and administration of the department. This role is crucial in ensuring the seamless execution of individual programs and ongoing series. The Coordinator will collaborate with various Museum departments, manage relationships with program speakers and performers, and contribute to the planning, production, and marketing of public programs. This position offers a dynamic work environment and requires a proactive individual committed to delivering exceptional program experiences for Museum visitors. This is a full-time, regular position that reports directly to the Associate Director of Public Programs.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Event Coordination & Logistics:

  • Oversee the coordination of in-person programs and assist with virtual events, ensuring smooth operations and high-quality customer service.
  • Collaborate with Facilities, Events, and Visitor Services for event setup, breakdown, and logistical needs, including seating arrangements, floorplans, tech requirements, and bar staffing.
  • Serve as the primary contact for logistical requests, such as sound checks, while partnering with IT and A/V teams and representing Public Programs in weekly operational and AV check meetings to ensure alignment with institutional goals.

 

Talent & Program Development:

  • Gather digital assets (bios, headshots) from talent and speakers, assist with creating performance agreements, and process invoices.
  • Conduct research and provide feedback on program scheduling and development to support the creation of engaging public programs.
  • Welcome speakers and attendees, act as an ambassador for the Museum, and provide exceptional customer service before and during events.

 

Marketing & Communications:

  • Partner with the marketing and communications team to boost public program attendance through print, electronic, and social media channels, and assist with creating event-related content for the Museum’s website.
  • Develop and distribute print materials, email reminders, and event ticketing links using tools such as Mailchimp.

 

Administrative Duties:

  • Maintain and update program records, photo repositories, and public program calendars.
  • Develop and analyze reports on departmental finances and audience metrics using Microsoft Excel and CRM software.
  • Perform additional duties as needed to support the success of the Museum’s public programs.

 

A successful candidate will have:

  • Four-year undergraduate degree or the equivalent combination of education/experience
  • Minimum of two years’ experience in public programming, community engagement, or museum education with experience in events planning, development, and implementation of educational/public programs, preferably at a cultural institution
  • Excellent organizational skills, including problem-solving, multitasking, and the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
  • Ability to address the public and interact on a professional level with guest speakers, scholars, authors, dignitaries, and others;
  • Ability to develop collaborative relationships and partnerships both externally with other organizations to facilities public engagement, as well as interdepartmentally within the Museum
  • Experience with Microsoft Office and hands-on experience with ticketing databases (such as Altru) preferred
  • A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and a passion for advancing equity and addressing structural racism within nonprofit organizations
  • The desire to work in a collaborative, supportive environment
  • The adaptability to work flexibly, including taking the lead on certain projects, working independently on others, and asking for guidance and assistance
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

 

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time and able to traverse through office and museum gallery environment. Requires the ability to operate standard office equipment including computers and keyboards for extended periods of time. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. On occasion, the employee may be required to work outside events with weather conditions including heat and cold. May require travel to offsite locations throughout the five boroughs.

Benefits

The annual salary for this position is $52,000. Excellent benefits package, including a defined benefit pension plan as well as a 401K savings plan. The position offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, life insurance, 401K and pension plan, short and long-term disability, critical illness, accident insurance, legal services and pet insurance, and Employee Assistance Program. The Museum has a generous paid time off policy including 12 sick days per year, vacation and 12 holidays. Your employment relationship with the Museum qualifies you for free or discounted admission to other participating cultural institutions.

EEO Statement

The Museum of the City of New York is committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as New York City and the audiences who are curious about learning more about its history and engaging in contemporary urban issues. Our staff members are dedicated to working towards a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring city museum in the world.

The Museum of the City of New York is an equal opportunity employer. As such, the museum provides equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants without unlawful discrimination with respect to age, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender identification or expression, marital status, military status or veteran, national origin, political association, political/personal convictions, predisposing genetic characteristics, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and style), religion (including attire, clothing or facial hair worn in accordance with religious requirements), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and transgender status), sexual orientation, socio-economic status, geographic location, philosophies, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws, in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, demotion, transfer, lay-off, and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. The Museum complies with applicable state and local law governing nondiscrimination in employment which prohibits discrimination and harassment against any employees, applicants for employment or interns, as well as contractors, subcontractors, vendors, consultants, other individuals providing services in the workplace or their employees in every location in which the Museum has facilities.