Position Title: Director of Community Partnerships

Position Type: Full Time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Division: Learning and Engagement

Department: Community Engagement

Reports to: Chief Learning and Engagement Officer

Position Summary

The Director of Community Partnerships is a pivotal leadership position at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and The Momentary. This role is dedicated to expanding the museum's reach and impact by forging meaningful relationships with diverse communities and organizations. The Director of Community Partnerships will engage with local and regional entities, implement dynamic community programs, devise strategies to attract new audiences, and employ evaluative methods to measure success. This role carries influence at all levels within the organization to effectively advance the institution’s community-centered framework which provides the museum with a roadmap to increasing representation of community voices within the museum.

This leader will embody and be energized by the museum’s initiatives, creating unique opportunities to promote its vision and purpose. A keen advocate for promoting access to the arts within community settings, this leader will be fueled by a commitment to deepening the relevance and value that the arts bring to all people. Well-versed in diversity, equity, access, and inclusion strategies in the field, they will have a strong track record of engaging a wide range of constituents in achieving results.

The Director of Community Partnerships is the leader of the Community Engagement Department in the Learning and Engagement Division. The position reports to the Chief Learning and Engagement Division. The Director leads a team of five staff members.

Key Responsibilities:

Outreach and Relationship Building:

• Provide visionary leadership in developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with community organizations, with a focus on those serving low-income and lower-education populations.
• Lead initiatives to identify and engage new community partners, expanding the museum's outreach and enhancing its inclusion efforts.

Leadership and Advocacy:

• Act as a leader within the museum and the broader community, promoting the museum's mission, vision, and dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Strategic Planning and Implementation:

• Develop and execute strategic plans to enhance community engagement and outreach efforts, ensuring alignment with the institution's mission and goals. This responsibility includes strategic planning and implementation of new or expanded initiatives related to the museum’s growth and physical expansion.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of community programs and partnerships, adjusting as necessary to ensure alignment with museum goals and community impact.

Community-based programming:

• Direct and lead the museum’s community-based programs, including its two flagship programs, the Mobile Art Lab and the Arts and Social Impact Accelerator Program (ASAP).
• Ensure initiatives effectively deliver impactful art experiences to partner organizations and sites including, but not limited to, community festivals, libraries, community centers, and social services agencies.

Community Engagement and Program Co-Design:

• Champion and lead efforts to invite and facilitate visits from community groups to the museum, ensuring the delivery of enriching and customized experiences that meet their unique needs.
• In collaboration with the Public Programs Department, forge strategic collaborations with community organizations to co-design public programs that align with their interests and needs, fostering mutual growth, learning, and engagement.

Evaluation and Reporting:

• Lead collaborative efforts with the museum’s Data Strategy department to develop and implement robust mechanisms for tracking engagement and collecting feedback on community initiatives.
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of comprehensive reports detailing program outcomes, attendance metrics, and community responses, providing strategic insights for continuous improvement and alignment with the museum’s goals.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Education:
  • A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Arts Administration, Education, Public Administration, Community Development, or a related discipline is required.
  • A Master’s degree in one of these fields or a related area is strongly preferred.

• Qualifications:
  • A minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in community outreach, partnership development, and program management, preferably within a museum, cultural institution, or non-profit organization.
  • A reputation of good standing in the community, demonstrating a proven ability to build and sustain impactful relationships with diverse organizations and groups.
  • Demonstrated experience in leadership roles, with a proven track record of effectively managing teams and projects.
  • Proven ability to influence and drive change.
  • Extensive experience in diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI) strategies, with a strong ability to engage and collaborate with diverse communities and stakeholders.
  • Proven success in developing and executing strategic plans that align with organizational goals and mission.
  • Experience in community arts programming, arts education, or a related field is highly desirable.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with community organizations and partners.
  • Ability to travel locally to manage and participate in community events.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Arkansas driver’s license with clean driving record; willing and able to travel for program development and facilitation.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: Regularly, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to travel independently regionally and in communities served. In the work environment described below, position requires working at a desk and utilizing a computer and a telephone, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching, standing and sitting in the ability to move around galleries, the classrooms, and throughout the museum, including travel on the outdoor trails. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.

Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum galleries, art studios, outdoors on the trails, and in communities served. Some evening and weekend hours are required. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the Museum work environment is typically low to moderate.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

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