Museum Manager - Tempe History Museum

MUSEUM MANAGER-TEMPE HISTORY MUSEUM

This recruitment is open until the position is filled.

First review of applications will occur on March 21, 2025

Annual Salary Range:

$106,640 - $141,831

The City of Tempe offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 13 Paid Holidays, 1 Personal Day, 8 hours Winter Holiday Leave
• Vacation Accrual; starts at 9.33 hours/month. Higher monthly vacation accrual rates may be available with prior ASRS service.
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Wellness Program Discount on health premiums
• Medical Reimbursement Program; $53/month
• Tuition Reimbursement; $6,500/year
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 12.27% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457, 401K, and Employer contribution
• Position is eligible for 16 hours of additional Paid Leave

To view the employee benefit summary, please visit:

Employee Benefit Summary

Department / Division:

Community Services /Arts & Culture

Job Type:

Full-Time Regular

Schedule:

Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Job Number:

RC#902272

DESCRIPTION

Museum Manager – Tempe History Museum

Tempe, Arizona, is a dynamic city where history meets innovation. Located in the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Tempe is known for its vibrant cultural scene, engaged community, and deep-rooted history. Home to Arizona State University, a thriving arts and entertainment scene, and a diverse population, Tempe is a city that values storytelling, preservation, and the power of community connection.

Tempe History Museum serves as the city's cultural hub for exploring and celebrating the people, places, and events that have shaped Tempe. Through engaging exhibitions, interactive programs, and an extensive collection of artifacts, the Museum connects residents and visitors to the city’s rich heritage. The Museum also stewards historic houses, including Petersen House Museum, Eisendrath House, and the Elias-Rodriguez House, ensuring that Tempe’s architectural history remains preserved for future generations.

The Museum Manager is a strategic and collaborative leader responsible for setting the direction of the Museum while ensuring its alignment with national museum standards and best practices. This role requires a strong ability to envision compelling exhibits, foster community partnerships, and manage operations, from overseeing collections to implementing technology initiatives. The Manager will be instrumental in shaping long-term plans, securing additional support through grants and partnerships, and guiding a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

This position also plays a key role in Tempe’s broader cultural ecosystem, collaborating with the Tempe Art and Culture Commission, Tempe History Society, the Historic Preservation Commission, and other stakeholders to amplify the Museum’s impact. The Manager will lead efforts in community engagement, educational programming, and resource development to ensure the Museum remains a relevant and essential institution in Tempe’s evolving landscape.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced museum professional with at least four years of experience, including two years in a leadership role. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a passion for history, strong operational and managerial expertise, and a talent for storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.

Join us in shaping the next chapter of Tempe’s history.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Develop, plan, implement, and administer the Museum operations, exhibits, activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; recommend, develop, and implement policies and procedures; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Oversee facility maintenance.
• Oversee and manage the operation and maintenance of the Petersen House Museum, and maintenance and lease of the Elias-Rodriguez House.
• Coordinate and partner Museum activities and programs with other Division entities and departments, as well as outside agencies and organizations, including Tempe Historical Society.
• Develop and implement ongoing strategic long-range plans to meet national museum standards; ensure that all museum operations adhere to the American Alliance of Museums national museum standards.
• Coordinate development, implementation, and updates of a museum technology plan.
• Prepare the Museum budget; assist in budget implementation; participate in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; administer the approved budget.
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; and implement disciplinary actions; recommend employee terminations.
• Recruit, train, motivate and recognize volunteers.
• Oversee the curation, management and preservation of the museum’s artifact collections and other resources donated by other City departments as well as outside entities.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
• Act as co-liaison to the Tempe Library and History Museum Advisory Board appointed by City Council.
• Serve as an ad-hoc member of the Tempe Historic Preservation Commission per City ordinance.
• Write grant proposals and administer grants.
• Coordinate special programs for the Museum, including fundraising and community outreach programs.
• Coordinate community room rentals and manage the Museum store, providing oversight and reporting of all cash handling procedures.
• Conduct research pertinent to the Museum collection.
• Provide pro-active performance planning utilizing performance management tools.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience:

Requires four (4) years of experience in museums including two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

Candidates must have the minimum amount of work experience. Years of experience are based upon a full-time work schedule (2,080 hours per year). The sum of an applicant’s full-time and/or part-time qualifying work experience must meet or exceed the stated minimum qualification. Education will not substitute for the required work experience; however, related unpaid and/or volunteer work experience may be used as qualifying work experience.

Education:

Requires a master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in museum administration, anthropology, history, or a degree related to the core functions of this position.

The term “equivalent” means that directly related work experience exceeding the required work experience will substitute in equal time increments for college-level education, for example: one year of additional directly related work experience will substitute for one year of college education (30 credit hours).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants considered for this job classification must pass the following:

• Criminal history background investigation

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

For a complete list of job descriptions for the City of Tempe go to:

Job Descriptions | City of Tempe, AZ

This position is FLSA Exempt – not eligible for overtime compensation and/or compensatory time.

Employees in this position are represented by the Tempe Supervisors’ Association (TSA).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The City of Tempe is an Equal Opportunity / Reasonable Accommodation employer. The City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, and United States military veteran status. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will make a reasonable accommodation(s) during the recruitment & selection process. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 480-350-8276. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.