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Museum Director Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Under the general direction of the Museum Director, the Museum Assistant works 20 hours a week and provides assistance to Birmingham Museum operations through educational programming, visitor ...

... goals Direct or conduct independent research related to museum programs Cultivate and maintain relationships with the arts and entertainment community and cultural institutions to promote the ...

... goals Direct or conduct independent research related to museum programs Cultivate and maintain relationships with the arts and entertainment community and cultural institutions to promote the ...

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Museum Director information

See Michigan salary details

$9.6K

$98K

$165.6K

How much do museum director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum director in Michigan is $98,036.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,300.00 and $146,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a museum director do?

A museum director oversees all aspects of a museum’s operation, including defining the concept of the museum and signing off on each collection or exhibit. In this career, you usually work closely with a board of directors when making these decisions. Your duties are to communicate with curators and other members of the museum staff, and deal with the museum’s finances. Because of the different facets of this career, a museum director must have or be willing to develop a diverse set of skills.

What does a museum director do?

A Museum Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of a museum's operations, including managing staff, developing exhibits, securing funding, and ensuring the preservation of collections. They set the strategic vision for the museum and work closely with the board, donors, and the community to fulfill the museum’s mission. Museum Directors also play a key role in educational programming, public relations, and financial management to ensure the museum’s long-term success.

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

To thrive as a Museum Director, you need expertise in museum administration, art or history knowledge, fundraising, and typically a relevant advanced degree. Familiarity with collection management systems, donor databases, and grant-writing tools is crucial. Leadership, strategic vision, and strong interpersonal skills help foster community engagement and effective team management. These competencies are vital for preserving collections, securing funding, and ensuring the museum’s mission is achieved.

What are some of the primary challenges museum directors face in balancing curatorial vision with operational responsibilities?

Museum Directors often juggle the creative aspects of shaping exhibitions and collections with the practical demands of managing budgets, staff, and community engagement. Balancing these priorities requires strong leadership and communication skills, as Directors must coordinate with curators, educators, fundraising teams, and external stakeholders. Navigating funding limitations while maintaining high-quality programming and ensuring the museum's mission is upheld can be particularly challenging. Success in this role often depends on the ability to build strategic partnerships and foster a collaborative work environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Museum jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Museum Director jobs in Michigan?

For Museum Director jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Museum Director jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Museum Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Museum Director job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $98,036 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Museum Assistant

Birmingham, MI

Birmingham, MI • On-site

Part-time

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

POSITION PURPOSE:

Under the general direction of the Museum Director, the Museum Assistant works 20 hours a week and provides assistance to Birmingham Museum operations through educational programming, visitor experience, collection work, and limited curatorial tasks such as research, exhibit development and interpretation.

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Provides interpretive experiences for visitors by greeting, conducting public tours, and offering exceptional customer service.
  2. Collaborates in research and development of virtual and physical exhibits.
  3. Contributes to the planning of special events, exhibits and tours.
  4. Supports collection maintenance of digital, physical, and archival materials in accordance with museum standards, including use of specialized hardware, software and technology.
  5. Participates in the coordination and training of Museum volunteers.
  6. Additional related duties as assigned.

NECESSARY SKILLS:

  • Excellent writing, interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Windows-based applications, Adobe and image management software, and experience with/ability to learn archival programs such as PastPerfect museum software.
  • Ability to work cooperatively in teams and with the public.
  • Ability to quickly learn new museum organizational systems and software.
  • Possess a genuine interest in human culture, public history, antiques, artifacts and engaging with a varied audience about the history of Birmingham.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule per Museum needs including all public hours of the Museum, weekend hours, and occasional attendance at evening events and meetings.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Undergraduate work toward, or a Bachelor's Degree in, History, Museum Studies, or a related field.
  • Previous work experience in a museum setting, including: exhibit planning; visitor services; leading educational tours; and promoting exhibits, events, and local history through the use of digital/social media is preferred. Past experience working with children is a plus.
  • Other combinations of education and experience that could provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job may be considered.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be able to lift at least 40 lbs.
  • Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
  • Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
  • Must be able to work with historic materials and artifacts that may require special handling or may contain irritants such as dust, mildew, etc.
  • Must be able to work in a historic building setting with associated environmental and physical conditions such as stairs.
  • Must be able to work a varying schedule which may include evenings and weekends.

TOTAL REWARDS:

  • Flexible schedule
  • Parking (Chester Street deck)

EQUIPMENT:

  • Office space including desk, computer, and phone
  • City provided keys
  • City provided tools and supplies