Manager of Museum Experiences and Events Full Time NEW

Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) is seeking a Manager of Museum Experiences and Events in a role that blends event management, hospitality, museum space reservations, stewardship, and evaluation to support the mission-driven operations of the first purpose-built art museum for Williams College, currently under construction. You cultivate a museum environment where everyone is welcome and where visitors have a meaningful experience at WCMA and Williams College. Williams College is committed to building a broadly diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive.

You collaborate with many partners to develop and implement events, supporting the museum’s Curatorial Engagement program managers, managing the museum’s café and catering operators, and collaborating with College partners such as Alumni Engagement, College Relations, Events and Dining Services. With WCMA’s Manager of Security and consultants, this role participates in training and supporting the hospitality skills of the museum’s front-of-house Security and Visitor Services team, and plays an important role in achieving the museum’s institutional impact by routinely engaging in evaluation processes. At this exciting moment in WCMA’s 100-year history, you will play a key role in leading the opening celebrations of the new WCMA, interfacing with donors, alumni, museum audiences and other art and architecture professionals. As needs are identified to best support the new WCMA building and program, other duties related to museum experiences and event management may be assigned. 

Responsibilities:

Event Planning, Execution & Relationship Management

In advance of the new museum’s opening in the Fall 2027, you lead the planning and manage the implementation of all opening events for the new museum in collaboration with museum staff and the College’s Development Special Events Manager. Events include press previews, donor and alumni previews, campus and community welcome events, dinners and opening ceremonies. Upon the start of operations, you manage the planning, coordination, and execution of all museum-programmed and museum-hosted events, including exhibition openings, social gatherings, receptions and dinners, donor functions, and staff workshops and gatherings. Other event planning responsibilities include: 

• Manage event inquiry and booking processes for museum spaces including the café, auditorium, lobbies, and galleries; lead routine event calendaring meetings to assess needs and capacities. Develop agreements and contracts with partners
• Coordinate with Curatorial Engagement staff on classroom and gallery tour bookings and implementing reception functions for public programs 
• With Building Manager, coordinate facility needs for events, including A/V setup, room configuration, seating, décor, lighting, and security, ensuring compliance with museum policies for artwork protection
• Direct an Events and Building Coordinator to support museum events, facility setup and break downs, event and wayfinding signage deployment, light-duty facility maintenance 
• Organize WCMA events and dinners on the road for alumni, collectors, and other key WCMA constituencies in cooperation with museum and College Relations colleagues; periodically travels to host and manage events out of town

Café Management & Food Service Liaison

In the lead-up to opening, you are a key member of the WCMA working group who evaluates and selects the cafe operator and crafts event policies and procedures. In operation, while overseeing and implementing event management for public programs, dinners and other private internal events, and catered daytime meals, you serve as the primary point of contact and liaison for the third-party food and beverage contractor responsible for the cafe operations. 

• Engage in planning and oversight to ensure F&B operators maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, customer service, and operational quality in foodservice at the museum
• Act as the main facilitator between the café contractor and the College’s Dining Services staff to coordinate resources, logistics, and scheduling for College functions held at the museum
• With the Building Manager, regularly inspects food service spaces to ensure cleanliness and proper working order. Strictly enforce cleaning and maintenance protocols with contractors to maintain a pest-free environment appropriate for art preservation.

Visitor Experiences & Hospitality Training

You are a partner to WCMA’s Security and Visitor Services Manager in the development and implementation of hospitality training for all public-facing staff to support them in embodying a high standard of professionalism, accessibility, and customer service, and to maintain awareness of the needs of special audiences being welcomed to WCMA for special events.

• Work with the Associate Curator of Campus and Community Engagement to train student guides to meet public audiences for tours and activities with a high standard of professionalism, accessibility, and customer service
• With the support of other College resources and consultants, facilitate staff training to respond to difficult situations and conflict resolution
• Maintain the museum calendar and coordinate the routine deployment of temporary signage to make sure staff and visitors are informed about daily museum event activities and that staff are informed about their responsibilities for any event support

Evaluation Strategy & Data Collection

You are a valued participant in the museum’s evaluation strategies, including as implemented by consultants, to assess visitor experience, program effectiveness, and overall institutional impact. Along with project leads like the Curatorial Engagement program managers, you facilitate reflective debriefs of programs and events to evaluate and improve project processes and visitor outcomes.

• Participate in the implementation of various data collection methods, including surveys, comment cards, and observational studies as routinely facilitated by Visitor Service associates or ad hoc opportunities during programs
• Analyze evaluation data and prepare actionable reports and recommendations for the museum Director and relevant staff to inform strategic planning and program development

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in fields related to Art, Business or Hospitality Management with a minimum of 5 years experience in event management
• Hospitality and customer service experience: Ability to lead staff training with sensitivity to cultural diversity and respect for people from different backgrounds, to provide inclusive and welcoming experiences, awareness of accessibility needs and accommodations, including helping, offering accessible resources, and ensuring barrier-free access. 
• Experience managing vendor or contractor relationships; experience drafting event contracts and managing scope, schedule and budget. Technical proficiency with scheduling, budgeting and POS tools. 
• Ability to handle complaints, conflicts, or difficult situations calmly and diplomatically to resolve issues. 
• Excellent time management, project management, organizational, communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work within industry standard guidelines as required for safely facilitating events around artworks on display and under the museum’s care 
• Experience with visitor and program evaluation methodologies, facilitation, and data analysis 
• Ability to work periodic evening and weekend events.
• Preferred: Experience working in art museums, enthusiastic about mission-driven arts and education institutions
• Preferred: Experience working with college or university dining services; knowledge of food safety and sanitation guidelines.
• Flexibility to adapt as new or unanticipated needs presented by hosting events and supporting hospitality in the new building become apparent

Remote Work Policy

Remote work arrangements may be available up to 8 hours per week with approval for employees based in NY, MA, CT, or VT. Remote work arrangements are subject to review and revision as policy evolves. 

Application review will begin on May 14, 2026. Pay range for this position is $75,000-$85,000, commensurate with experience.

Cover Letters

A cover letter is required in order for your application to be considered. In your letter, please address your interest in this position and the strengths you would bring to Williams College Museum of Art in this role. Applicants should highlight relevant experience with event management in coordination with many stakeholder groups. You are encouraged to include information in regard to meeting the preferred qualifications outlined above. Please attach your cover letter as a separate document in your application.