The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art · 5 days ago
Director, Civic Engagement & Community Programs
Kansas City, MO
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$85K/yr - $107K/yr
8+ years expThe Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is seeking a visionary and collaborative Director of Civic Engagement & Community Partnerships to lead museum-wide strategies that connect art to civic life. This role involves building partnerships, guiding teams, and shaping the museum's engagement with communities to advance its mission during a period of growth and transformation.
AssociationCommunities
Responsibilities
Lead the development and implementation of a museum-wide strategy for civic engagement and community partnerships aligned with the Nelson-Atkins’ mission and strategic plan
Cultivate and sustain relationships with cultural, educational, and civic organizations, community leaders, and partners across the region
Provide oversight and direction for a diverse portfolio of programs—including late-night events, exhibition-related initiatives, and wellbeing programming—ensuring quality, relevance, and alignment with institutional goals
Supervise and mentor manager-level staff, building leadership capacity, setting clear expectations, and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability
Oversee departmental and program budgets, including multi-year financial planning; approve contracts and expenditures; and collaborate with Development on fundraising opportunities
Champion evaluation and learning by establishing outcomes, metrics, and performance indicators to assess effectiveness and support continuous improvement
Serve as a senior leader and ambassador for the Nelson-Atkins in community and professional settings
Qualification
Required
8–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in civic engagement, community partnerships, museum education, or related public-facing cultural work
Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing managers, and overseeing budgets
Deep understanding of equity-centered, community-engaged practice and emerging trends in museums or cultural organizations
Strong strategic thinking, communication, and relationship-building skills
Experience with evaluation, research, and using data to inform decision-making
A bachelor's degree in Visual Art, Museum Studies, Education, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Onsite wellness center and fitness classes
Paid parental and family leave
Generous paid time off and ten paid holidays
35-hour workweek for most positions (Monday–Friday)
Occasional evening and weekend work aligned with museum programming
Paid professional development opportunities
Free access to exhibitions and reciprocal admission to partner museums
Continuous learning opportunities through our Learning Management System
Employer retirement contributions
Life and disability insurance
An inspiring, art-filled work environment where creativity and collaboration thrive
Opportunities to attend exhibition previews, lectures, and community events
A meaningful opportunity to advance access to the arts and civic engagement
A creative, inclusive culture that values scholarship, collaboration, and balance
Company
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art invites all people to explore the art in its care, and through its vast collections, the depths and complexities of human experiences.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Christie Makar
Manager, School Partnerships
Denisse De Leon
Director, School and Community Programs and Partnerships
Recent News
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