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Full Time Museum Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT

Museum Educator

Rockford, IL · On-site

$19.24 - $24.04/hr

Director Of Education Classification: Full Time, Non-Exempt Wage: $19.24 - $24.04 / Hour Position ... Discovery Center Museum in Rockford, Illinois is dedicated to hands-on learning in the arts and ...

Brooklyn Museum

Museum Attendant Guard

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$42K/yr

... Safety Director Qualifications: * High school diploma or equivalent G.E.D. certificate or two years of satisfactory, full-time paid experience in custodial, protection, and museum attendant or ...

Brooklyn Museum

Museum Attendant Guard

Brooklyn, NY

$42K/yr

... Safety Director Qualifications: * High school diploma or equivalent G.E.D. certificate or two years of satisfactory, full-time paid experience in custodial, protection, and museum attendant or ...

National Park Service

Museum Technician

Tucson, AZ · On-site +1

$51K - $66K/yr

Direct Deposit participation required. * Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification ... "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ...

Brooklyn Museum

Museum Maintainer - Carpentry

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$29.85/hr

Three (3) years full-time paid experience as a carpenter/cabinet maker. * Knowledge of woodworking ... Director of Facilities Salary: $62,097 Union status: Union DC37 Local 1502 FLSA status: Non-Exempt ...

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Full Time Museum Director information

What are the main responsibilities of a full time museum director?

A Full Time Museum Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of a museum's operations, including managing staff, developing exhibitions, setting strategic goals, and ensuring the institution's financial stability. They work closely with curators, educators, and other team members to curate collections, create educational programs, and engage the community. Additionally, they often play a key role in fundraising, public relations, and building partnerships with other organizations. The director ensures the museum fulfills its mission and remains a relevant and dynamic resource for visitors.

What are some typical challenges a full time museum director might face in managing both the staff and the museum's collections?

A Full Time Museum Director often juggles the complex responsibilities of supervising a diverse team and ensuring the proper care of collections. Common challenges include balancing budget constraints with the need for innovative programming, addressing staffing needs while maintaining high standards of visitor experience, and navigating the logistics of exhibitions and conservation. Directors also frequently collaborate with community partners, donors, and boards, requiring strong communication and leadership skills. Successfully addressing these challenges is essential for fostering a positive workplace and advancing the museum’s mission.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time museum director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Museum Director, you need expertise in museum studies, art history, or a related field, along with significant management and leadership experience. Familiarity with collection management systems, budget software, and fundraising platforms is typically required. Exceptional communication, strategic vision, and relationship-building skills help drive community engagement and lead diverse teams. These skills are crucial for ensuring effective museum operations, fostering educational initiatives, and securing long-term sustainability.

What is the difference between Full Time Museum Director vs Full Time Curator?

AspectFull Time Museum DirectorFull Time Curator
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Museum Studies, Arts, or related field; leadership experienceDegree in Art History, Museum Studies, or related field; specialized knowledge
Work EnvironmentAdministrative offices, museum galleries, public engagementExhibition spaces, collections management, research areas
Employer & Industry UsageMuseums, cultural institutions, non-profitsMuseums, galleries, art institutions
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Full Time Museum Director oversees the entire museum's operations, strategic planning, and staff management, while the Full Time Curator focuses on developing exhibitions, managing collections, and conducting research. Both roles require relevant credentials and work within museum environments, but their responsibilities differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Full Time Museum jobs?

The most popular types of Full Time Museum jobs are:

What states have the most Full Time Museum Director jobs?

States with the most job openings for Full Time Museum Director jobs include:

Full Time Museum Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Full Time Museum Director job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Director of Advancement, SZ-1001-00

Smithsonian Institution

Washington, DC

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 6 days ago

Smithsonian Institution rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 29 rated museums

Job description

OPEN DATE: August 10, 2026                   
CLOSING DATE: September 10, 2026             
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE:  Permanent 
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:
Low Sensitivity High Risk
Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care). 
 
Conditions of Employment
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
  • Complete a Probationary Period.
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
  • The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 
Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian's history during the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign's public phase will run from 2024 to 2026, culminating with the nation's 250th anniversary. It will expand the Smithsonian's reach and impact, empowering the institution to find solutions to today's most pressing challenges. The Smithsonian has built a model fundraising organization, driven by talented staff across our many museums, research centers and cultural centers. This position offers exciting opportunities for the successful candidate to make a significant impact on the future of the Smithsonian. There is no better time to join this amazing Institution.
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is a leading voice for contemporary art and culture and provides a national platform for the art and artists of our time. We seek to share the transformative power of modern and contemporary art with audiences at all levels of awareness and understanding by creating meaningful, personal experiences in which art, artists, audiences and ideas converge. We enhance public understanding and appreciation of contemporary art through acquisition, exhibitions, education and public programs, conservation, and research. 
The Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden seeks a charismatic and accomplished Director of Advancement with proven fundraising experience to help grow a high-performing advancement department to serve the philanthropy needs of the museum today and for the future. The incumbent will develop and manage the museum's fundraising program and raise major gifts from individual donors, corporations, and foundations for exhibitions, public programs, museum collections, and other initiatives. In addition, the Director of Advancement will be responsible for planning, implementing, and managing a multiyear capital campaign to support our Sculpture Garden revitalization efforts.
The Director of Advancement oversees the advancement program for the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, with responsibility for planning, generating, and executing fund-raising initiatives with an emphasis on major gifts. S/he manages a portfolio of prospects including qualification of new prospects, and the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors through in person visits and communications. The Director supervises the advancement staff of six full-time staff members.  This position oversees the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Board activities. S/he develops written annual work plans, visit and solicitation goals in conjunction with the Museum Director, and prepares reports on activities. The Director collaborates with museum staff and other Smithsonian units on programs and solicitations. 
The Director of Advancement must be passionate about the Hirshhorn Museum, its history, and its important position in the international contemporary and modern art landscape, to deliver a persuasive message about investment in the programs and collections of the museum.    
A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred. The successful candidate will have at least five to seven years of successful experience in major gift fundraising, preferably in a major, arts-related institution, non-profit organization, or educational institution. Application materials should show experience in building long-term donor relationships and closing 5-7 figure gifts.  Hands-on board management experience with a proven history of fundraising success, including cultivation through solicitation and stewardship as well as experience working with planned giving, grant writing, and annual fund strategies should be demonstrated in application. Candidates must have superior oral and written communication skills, as well as excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. Application materials should show experience building an advancement program for a cultural organization.  
Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Benefits and Application Instructions 
Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter by September 10, 2026. Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. Relocation expenses are not paid. 
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager. 
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures.

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