Ryan Learning Center Operations Manager

Introduction
The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Position Summary
The Learning and Public Engagement (LPE) department develops culturally responsive content, designs anti-racist pedagogy, collaborates with artists and community members, and facilitates experiences involving the museum’s collections and exhibitions in order to:
Champion the role of art and culture in people’s lives
Promote access and equitable participation in art and the museum
Foster critical and creative thinking
Strengthen the fabric of communities and the life of our city
As a result, museum visitors and participants of varied ages, backgrounds, and abilities engage with each other and with works of art from across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, making the museum a place for learning, insight, inspiration, and community. They leave museum experiences feeling more connected and with greater confidence in their capacity to imagine, create, and make sense of art and their world.
The Learning and Public Engagement department is organized into three areas: Innovation & Creativity, Students & Educators, and Youth & Families. Committed to advancing systemic change, LPE is building a vision and framework for anti-racist work across the department.
As part of the Youth and Families team, the Manager plays a key role in developing and managing the systems that enable the smooth operations of the Ryan Learning Center, the recently-enhanced 18,000sqft learning space for students, teachers, teens, families, and adult visitors to the museum.

What you will do:
This new role within Learning and Public Engagement will contribute the following:
Focusing on systems development, implementation, operations, and analysis.

Creating and communicating a complex staffing schedule that encompasses staff, volunteers, and contractors; scheduling groups; and allocating spaces for programmatic use.

Maintaining a birds’-eye view of the Ryan Learning Center operations and overseeing the logistics that enable the Center to operate efficiently and to maximum effect; managing day-to-day operations of the Center.

Problem-solving skills, detail-orientation, and a love of making all the pieces work together to a critical role that positions the Ryan Learning Center to be a welcoming and inclusive place for people of all abilities.
The Manager collaborates with colleagues across all areas of Learning and Public Engagement and throughout the museum to deepen audience connections and position the museum as a valuable space for connection, learning, and meaning-making.

Requirements

What you will bring:
Insight, equity-focus, and commitment to cultivating culturally responsive, human-centered experiences that benefit the diverse abilities and backgrounds of participants and audiences.

Minimum 3 years’ experience managing people, spaces, projects, or events in a retail, museum, or institutional setting.

Minimum 2 years of experience working directly with people who identify as ALAANA*, LGBTQIA+**, first-generation immigrants, and people with diverse abilities, with the ability to work closely with people from various artistic, cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds.

Proficiency in MSOffice, Google suite, using database systems, and managing data across multiple platforms.

Demonstrated commitment to continue to grow your critical analysis of anti-racist frameworks and practices.

Demonstrated commitment to fostering and sustaining an anti-oppressive work environment and a culture of collaboration, cooperation, and accountability; ability to navigate tense or challenging interpersonal dynamics in a manner that is centered on trust, respect, and shared vision.

Strong organization and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, respond to shifting priorities, and support multiple aspects of program development and operational sustainability.

Ability to see the big picture, solve problems, and engage in continuous improvement efforts.

Strong verbal communication and writing skills with the ability to adjust communication styles to accommodate audiences of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Strong interest in trauma/healing-informed pedagogy and practices. Commitment to innovation and life-long learning.

The Learning and Public Engagement department is committed to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic team. ALAANA* and LGBTQQIA** individuals, first-generation immigrants, bi/multilingual candidates, and individuals with diverse abilities are encouraged to apply.

• ALAANA - African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, Native American ** LGBTQQIA+ - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual

This position holds a standard Sunday-Thursday work week, with some evenings required.

Application Instructions

HOW TO APPLY:
For full consideration, please submit the following materials, uploaded as one document here: https://www.artic.edu/careers/employment-2 and select Job ID 11273

Resume and provide one-page cover letter detailing relevant experience, interests in this role, specific skill sets that will support this role, and how you envision yourself contributing to the museum through this role.

This position will remain open until filled with priority given to materials received by 5:00 pm on August 30, 2021.

HOW TO APPLY for the Senior Educator, Youth and Families position:
For full consideration, please submit the following materials, uploaded as one document. Visit https://www.artic.edu/careers/employment-2 and select Job ID 11277

Resume and provide one-page cover letter detailing relevant experience, interests in this role, specific skill sets that will support this role, and how you envision yourself contributing to the museum through this role.

This position will remain open until filled with priority given to materials received by 5:00 pm on August 30, 2021.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in a staff culture that benefits from a wide range of experience, backgrounds, and career paths, and we encourage nontraditional candidates to apply.