Project Manager, MFAH World Faiths Initiative

The MFAH World Faiths Initiative (WFI), funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. over a five-year period, seeks to activate themes of religion, faith, and spirituality in the Museum’s encyclopedic collections through innovative programming and reimagined displays. Focusing on the many expressions of faith in our collections will honor the diverse communities of Houston and inspire connections across cultures and beliefs.

The Museum is seeking candidates for this position who are committed to the important work of fostering greater understanding among all faiths and a sense of unity within Houston’s richly diverse population. The candidate will offer expertise in religious and cultural studies, critical to the goals of this extended grant, expanding the Museum’s capacity to present topics of religion, faith, and spirituality within the context of its encyclopedic permanent collections, as well as to extend the Museum’s commitment to inclusivity, with particular focus on faith traditions and religious freedom. This extension will touch on the areas of curatorial practice, conservation, learning and interpretation, and staff training.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Work closely with WFI co-directors to implement all aspects of WFI initiative; this will include research and writing, as well as management and coordination.
• Bring expertise in religious and cultural studies to all aspects of the WFI initiative.
• Coordinate with internal MFAH staff in curatorial departments, learning and interpretation, conservation, publications, and human resources to ensure that projects adhere to scope, schedule, and budget.
• Coordinate with community partners at universities and faith organizations to partner on programming and interpretation.
• Manage all aspects of MFAH interdepartmental coordination, communication, and production of WFI initiative deliverables, including public programming, label writing, interpretive digital assets, and scheduling and coordination of staff and docent sensitivity training.
• Work with WFI co-directors, curators, Learning and Interpretation staff, and conservators to bring religious content and inclusive, culturally responsive practices into the fabric of the WFI at MFAH.
• Perform other duties as necessary to support the implementation of the WFI initiative.
• Participate in planning at the outset of each year of the grant, and adjust scope and schedule as needed.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• The successful candidate for this position will have a Ph.D. or M.A. in a humanities or social sciences field, with expertise in religious and cultural studies preferred, and ideally have five years’ work experience at a museum, university, or relevant organization.
• Broad knowledge of world religions and knowledge of art and/or cultural history
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with various museum departments, staff, university and other external partners, and volunteers
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential
• Motivated team player with the ability to meet deadlines combined with enthusiastic interest and willingness to work in a museum
• Excellent organizational and computer skills; keen attention to detail

About the MFAH

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600 employees and 1,000 docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, three eateries and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 70,000 works of art in a wide range of media. As an employer, MFAH offers a supportive, collegial and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.

Position Available:

Title:                                       Project Manager, MFAH World Faiths Initiative

Reports to:                              MFAH World Faiths Initiative Co-Directors

Classification:                        Exempt/Salaried

Schedule:                                35-hour work week – 9 am to 5 pm

Pay Rate:                                Please see “Compensation” below

Work Location:                     Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work will primarily be performed in museum offices, conference rooms and galleries.  With or without reasonable accommodation, the individual selected must have the capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to the other demands mentioned, the demands of the job may or will include:

• Must undergo and meet company standards for relevant criminal background and professional reference checks.
• Ability to successfully handle and complete multiple tasks concurrently.
• Seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly in order to communicate with staff, guests and others.
• Frequent sitting, with occasional standing, and walking.
• Good vision or corrected by use of glasses and/or contacts for reading and viewing abilities.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

Research shows that some individuals apply for jobs only when they meet every qualification. However, we recognize that many highly qualified candidates may not match 100% of the listed requirements. If you believe your skills and experience make you a strong fit for this role, we encourage you to apply!

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org

Benefits:

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Medical Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a choice of managed health care programs
• Dental Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through two plan choices
• Vision Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a vision program
• Group health, dental and vision insurance coverage available and effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role.
• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• Long Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee

The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories:

• Paid Time Off - Used for time away from work such as your well-deserved vacation, illness of short duration, and any other personal reason. Hours are accrued biweekly, based on employment status, length of service, and hours worked
• Reserve Time Off - Used for extended illnesses. Employees accrue up to 6 days per year, up to a maximum of 120 days
• Holidays - Full-time employees receive ten paid holidays per year PLUS one floating holiday to be used for any holiday not recognized by the Museum’s holiday schedule.
• Volunteer Time Off - The MFAH supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work. Employees receive up to 40 hours of paid time off annually to give back and volunteer.

Other Benefits

• Staff may contribute to the MFAH Retirement Savings Plan. Eligible staff contributing to the plan may receive up to a 5% matching contribution from the MFAH after one year of service. (We also recognize prior nonprofit service which will provide for an accelerated employer match!)
• MFAH Membership – Staff receive a free Family-level membership
• Discounts – Staff receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and all on campus eateries and the Glassell School of Art.
• Metro commuter subsidy available upon request

Compensation:

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and the needs and requirements expressed in this job description.  The MFAH has set the pay range for this job and level as a general guideline and not a guarantee of the compensation amount or salary. A salary range for this role has been set but we know additional factors may be considered in extending an offer including (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, candidate experience and unique qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities, the needs and requirements expressed in the job description, as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data, and any related regulations or other laws.

Application Procedure

Qualified applicants should apply online, which will be the most effective way to ensure consideration. 

Application materials should include a cover letter, your resume or CV, and if you prefer, a list of references will be accepted but not required at this early stage in the process.

Applications or letters of interest sent via mail, fax, or direct email to a staff member will not ensure consideration.