Ryan Learning Center Operations Manager

MISSION

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.

We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Generous paid time off

• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits

• Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)

• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program

• Great employee discounts

• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

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OUR VALUES

All staff members are expected to embrace the museum's commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution and to adhere to the museum's shared values.

• Our museum reflects and deepens our collective humanity; the arts are integral to an inspired and just society.

• We respect and acknowledge each of our colleagues' contributions and expertise across all roles within our organization.

• We share in the responsibility to create an antiracist culture built on equity, inclusion, and justice for all, acknowledging that these efforts are intersectional and ongoing.

• We encourage and advance a culture of hospitality, empathy, and gratitude for each visitor, supporter, and member of our staff.

• We embrace innovation and foster change with a progressive understanding of-and obligation to reconsider-our past.

• We sustain an open and dynamic civic platform, inviting and advancing the diverse perspectives of our city, staff, visitors, and supporters.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Learning Center is a platform for culturally responsive experiences that bring young people and the adults around them into dynamic and inspiring encounters with art and creativity. The Ryan Learning Center team:

• champions the role of art and culture in people's lives,

• promotes access and equitable participation in art and the museum,

• fosters critical and creative thinking.

As a result, youth, teens, families, students, and educators from various backgrounds and abilities engage with each other and with works of art from across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, activating the museum as a place for learning, insight, inspiration, and community. These museum experiences enable young people and the adults around them to feel more connected and confident in their capacity to imagine, create, and make sense of art and their world.

ABOUT THE POSITION

As part of the Operations and Volunteers team, the Manager plays a key role in helping to develop and manage the systems that enable the smooth operations of the Ryan Learning Center, the learning space for students, teachers, teens, families, and adult visitors to the museum. This role is highly focused on systems development, implementation, operations, and analysis. This includes organizing and communicating a staffing schedule that encompasses staff, volunteers, and contractors in the Art Exchange; scheduling groups; and allocating spaces for programmatic use. The Manager maintains a birds'-eye view of the Ryan Learning Center operations and manages the logistics that enable the Center to operate efficiently and to maximum effect. They bring 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 the RLC department and throughout the museum to deepen audience connections and position the museum as a valuable space for connection, learning, and meaning-making.

This position is 35 hours a week and holds a standard Tuesday-Saturday schedule. Occasional evening work may be required. This position is a fully onsite position. Other duties as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Volunteer Management

Working closely with the Director, Operations and Volunteers, engage in recruitment, training, and ongoing management of a core of 100 volunteers that support the Ryan Learning Center: maintain volunteer schedules and data; provide clear and timely communications to volunteers; collaborate on the development of the annual training calendar and lead trainings as appropriate; provide oversight to volunteers on duty; engage in performance management as necessary.

Personnel Coordination

Develop and manage the staffing schedule for key areas of the Ryan Learning Center, especially the public space, called the Art Exchange, including: coordinating the schedules of departmental staff, contractors, volunteers, and seasonal interns, ensuring that there are enough people to support on every open day; proactively identify, communicate, and solve for staffing shortages; serving as 'floor captain' on select days, to welcome groups to the museum; processing contractor payments; staffing the Art Exchange as necessary.

Space and Asset Management

Provide oversight of key assets of the RLC physical environment, including: managing the schedule of space use; receiving and processing requests for space; surveying rooms, equipment, and installed technology regularly to ensure assets are in good working order; submitting requests for maintenance and repair.

Event Production

Collaborate with RLC teams to produce an annual slate of large-scale events, including: establishing event production timelines; submitting requests for interdepartmental support; scheduling event spaces; establishing staffing levels and recruiting volunteers to support; preparing event supplies and spaces; ensuring reset of spaces and materials post-event.

General Administration and Communication

Contribute to the effective administration and functioning of the department, including: reporting, maintaining divisional files, contributing to K12 student tours and summer tours administration as needed, collaborating and supporting the Operations Coordinator and Director in their duties, liaising with colleagues in other departments that are involved in volunteer and event management, and managing team expenses.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 4 years' experience coordinating employees or volunteers for events and day-to-day calendar management, spaces, projects, or events in a retail, museum or institutional setting preferred

• Proficiency in MS Office, Google Suite, using database systems, and managing data across multiple platforms.

• 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.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including ability to communicate with audiences of different backgrounds, levels of knowledge, and types of ability.

• Ability to function effectively as part of a team.

• Energy and enthusiasm for the mission of the museum and demonstrated commitment to advancing the museum's values.

• Salary Grade 7

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Daily standing or active movement for periods of 2-3 hours

• Frequently lifts and moves items of at least 25 pounds

• Operates computers, printers, and other standard office equipment

Closing Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.

Union Info

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31