Work Location: Onsite, New London, Connecticut
Security Requirement: Ability to successfully complete a Tier 1/NACI suitability investigation and obtain required facility and system access
Position OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Museum Operations Program Manager to lead contractor-supported operations for a high-profile federal museum. This individual will serve as the contractor's senior onsite manager and primary liaison with Government stakeholders. The Program Manager will oversee personnel, contract performance, quality control, staffing continuity, administration, visitor-support services, educational support, volunteer coordination, IT/AV support, exhibit maintenance, and event support.
The ideal candidate has significant leadership experience in a museum, cultural institution, public attraction, or comparable nonprofit environment and understands both front-of-house and back-of-house operations.
Key Responsibilities- Direct and oversee all contractor-provided museum support services and personnel.
- Serve as the principal contractor liaison with the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer's Representative.
- Manage staffing, scheduling, performance, recruitment, onboarding, retention, and replacement activities.
- Ensure continuous operational coverage, including weekends, holidays, employee absences, and special events.
- Implement and maintain the Quality Control Plan, Standard Operating Procedures, performance metrics, and corrective-action processes.
- Monitor staffing costs, invoicing support, labor utilization, deliverables, and performance records.
- Lead transition, phase-in, readiness, and continuity-of-operations activities.
- Coordinate support for visitor services, volunteer programs, educational activities, IT/AV systems, exhibits, and museum events.
- Ensure compliance with security, suitability, safety, accessibility, Government property, and non-personal-services requirements.
- Conduct performance meetings and maintain required reports, meeting minutes, action logs, and risk trackers
- Manage deficiencies and operational risks without relying on Government personnel to supervise contractor employees.
- Support implementation of Government-approved museum policies while recognizing that the Government retains final authority over policy, collections, safety, public access, and program content.
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor's or master's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
- At least seven years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a museum, cultural institution, public attraction, or similar nonprofit environment.
- At least three years of experience managing personnel and budgets.
- Demonstrated experience with workforce supervision, performance management, recruitment, and employee retention.
- Experience planning and monitoring operating budgets and labor expenditures.
- Knowledge of museum operations, including collections care, registration, exhibition production, visitor services, and facility operations.
- Experience translating strategic objectives into annual work plans, performance measures, and actionable priorities.
- Strong written communication, stakeholder-management, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience managing or supporting a museum or major cultural institution.
- Knowledge of Coast Guard history, maritime heritage, or military museum operations.
- Experience with collection-management systems or digital visitor-engagement technology.
- Background in emergency response, operational risk, facility incidents, or public-relations crisis management.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate effectively across curatorial, education, technical, administrative, and financial teams.
Summary of Benefits- 15 PTO days
- 11 paid holidays
- Medical Insurance with - 3 options (HSA with $600 Employer Contribution).
- Dental Insurance with no age limit orthodonture.
- Vision Insurance through EyeMed in and out of network coverage.
- Short Term and Long-Term Disability coverage with 100% premium support,
- Life insurance and AD&D with 100% premium support
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Critical Care and Accident Insurance availability
- Pet Insurance through Nationwide
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401k with enrollment from day one. 4% deferral by company.
- $1500 Annual Training Budget
- $1500 Referral bonus
- Eligibility for annual merit and discretionary bonus
- Flexible work arrangements
