Director, Evaluation and Impact

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art – Kansas City, MO

Division: Learning and Engagement
Reports to: Deputy Director, Learning and Engagement
Direct Reports: Evaluation and Visitor Research Associate

Why Us?

At the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, we believe that art inspires curiosity, connection, and transformation. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, continuous learning, and public impact. As we expand our reach and deepen our relevance, we seek a strategic and data-driven leader to help us measure, understand, and communicate our value—internally and externally.

The Director, Evaluation and Impact plays a key role in shaping the future of the museum by ensuring that our programs, exhibitions, and initiatives are informed by research, responsive to community needs, and aligned with institutional goals.

Why You?

You are a thoughtful, equity-minded evaluation professional with a passion for driving change through data. You’re equally comfortable analyzing complex information and facilitating learning across teams. You love building frameworks that help organizations understand their impact—and improve it.

You thrive in collaborative environments, value inclusive practices, and bring experience navigating the challenges and rewards of implementing research in real-world settings. You’re ready to bring your skills to an innovative cultural institution that is committed to making a difference.

The Role

As Director, Evaluation and Impact, you will develop and lead an integrated evaluation and research strategy for the museum. You’ll guide the design and implementation of studies, ensure data is collected and communicated clearly, and foster a culture of learning and reflection.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership in aligning evaluation efforts with the museum’s mission and strategic plan
• Design and oversee research studies (including IRB compliance), using both quantitative and qualitative methods
• Lead data management and analysis processes; develop dashboards, visualizations, and reporting tools
• Translate insights into actionable strategies through presentations, workshops, and consultation across departments
• Supervise and mentor evaluation staff, ensuring high-quality work and professional growth
• Manage the department budget and participate in field-wide dialogue through conferences and publications

Qualifications

• BA required; MA in social science research, evaluation, or museum studies preferred
• 5 years of experience in evaluation, applied research, or museum learning
• Deep knowledge of research design, instrumentation, and equity-based evaluation methods
• Familiarity with IRB protocols and ethical standards for research involving human subjects
• Skilled in data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Stata, Qualtrics) and Microsoft Office
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex findings clearly to diverse audiences
• Experience mentoring staff and leading cross-functional projects
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills

Join Us

• Full-time, exempt position with competitive salary
• Salary Range: Starting from $85,490 - $93,300 commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement with matching, and generous paid time off
• Be part of a respected, mission-driven cultural institution in the heart of Kansas City
• Join a collaborative and forward-thinking Learning & Engagement team
• Make a meaningful impact in how the museum engages and reflects the community it serve

Be part of an institution where curiosity leads, inclusion is practiced daily, and impact is measured in more than numbers.

Apply now to help us shape the future of museum learning and community connection.

Equal Opportunity & Inclusion

The Nelson-Atkins is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact our People & Culture department.