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Museum Manager Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

National Auto & Truck Museum

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Museum Executive Director

Auburn, IN · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

Experience managing budgets, operations, and teams. * Strong communication, public speaking, and ... Museum, nonprofit, tourism, cultural institution, or attraction management experience.

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How much do museum manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum manager in Indiana is $16.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.20 and $17.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a museum manager do?

A museum manager oversees the daily operations of a museum, including staff management, budgeting, and ensuring the safety and preservation of exhibits. They coordinate educational programs, develop policies, and work with curators to maintain the institution's standards and visitor experience.

What are some common challenges faced by a Museum Manager, and how can they be addressed?

Museum Managers often face challenges such as balancing budget constraints with the need to deliver engaging exhibitions and programs. They must also ensure collections are preserved and accessible to the public while complying with regulatory standards. Effective communication and collaboration with curators, educators, and administrative staff are essential for successful project execution. Staying adaptable and proactive in seeking grant opportunities, community partnerships, and innovative visitor experiences can help address these challenges and support the museum's mission.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A Museum Manager typically does not earn $10,000 a month without a degree; most managerial roles in museums require relevant education or experience. High-paying jobs that can reach this level without a degree are rare and often involve entrepreneurship, sales, real estate, or skilled trades, but they usually require significant experience or specialized skills. Earning such a salary without formal education generally involves entrepreneurship or high-level sales positions.

What jobs make around $100,000 a year?

For a Museum Manager, annual salaries around $100,000 are common in large institutions or with extensive experience and advanced degrees. Other roles in the arts and cultural sector, such as museum directors or senior curators, can also reach this salary level, especially with leadership responsibilities and specialized skills. Salary ranges vary based on location, institution size, and individual qualifications.

Which museum jobs pay the most?

Senior museum roles such as Curator, Director, or Chief Conservator tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding $70,000 annually. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and strong leadership skills, and they often involve overseeing collections, staff, and strategic planning.

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

To excel as a Museum Manager, you need a background in museum studies, art history, or a related field, along with experience in collections management and exhibition planning. Familiarity with collection management software, budgeting tools, and compliance with museum standards is typically required. Leadership, strong organizational skills, and effective communication are vital soft skills for managing staff, engaging the public, and building partnerships. These competencies ensure the museum's operations run smoothly, its collections are preserved, and its mission is successfully promoted to diverse audiences.

What is the difference between Museum Manager vs Curator?

AspectMuseum ManagerCurator
Primary RoleOversees museum operations, staff, and budgetsDevelops exhibits, conducts research, and manages collections
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in museum studies, management, or related field; experience in administrationBachelor's or master's in art history, archaeology, or related field; specialized knowledge
Work EnvironmentAdministrative offices, museum floors, staff meetingsExhibit development areas, collections storage, research spaces
Employer & Industry UsageFound in museums, cultural institutions, historical sitesPrimarily in museums, galleries, and research institutions

While both roles are essential in museums, a Museum Manager focuses on overall operations and administration, whereas a Curator specializes in collections, research, and exhibit development. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Museum jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Museum Manager jobs in Indiana? For Museum Manager jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Museum Manager jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Museum Manager jobs in Indiana are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Museum Manager jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Museum Manager job openings:
Museum Manager jobs near you

Museum Executive Director

National Auto & Truck Museum

Auburn, IN • On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

Full-time

PTO

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of NATMUS and is responsible for leading the museum's strategic vision, growth, operations, fundraising, programming, and community engagement. 

This role requires a dynamic leader who can blend creativity with business acumen, leveraging research, audience insights, industry trends, and data-driven decision-making to guide the future development of the museum. 

The successful candidate will have a passion for automotive heritage, experience leading organizations through growth, and the ability to inspire staff, volunteers, donors, board members, and community stakeholders around a shared vision. 

The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to develop and execute a long-term strategy that expands exhibits, increases attendance, strengthens financial sustainability, and elevates NATMUS's profile on a regional and national level. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership & Vision 

  • Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan that positions NATMUS for long-term growth and relevance.  

  • Identify emerging museum, tourism, educational, and entertainment trends that can inform future programming and exhibits.  

  • Utilize visitor data, market research, demographic trends, and industry insights to guide decision-making.  

  • Create innovative experiences that appeal to both traditional automotive enthusiasts and new audiences.  

  • Establish measurable goals for attendance, membership growth, revenue generation, and community impact.  

Museum Development & Innovation 

  • Lead the development of new exhibits, interactive experiences, special collections, and educational programming.  

  • Evaluate museum assets and identify opportunities to better leverage existing collections and facilities.  

  • Introduce fresh ideas that increase visitation and encourage repeat attendance.  

  • Collaborate with collectors, automotive organizations, manufacturers, historians, and industry leaders to bring unique experiences to NATMUS.  

  • Ensure exhibits remain engaging, relevant, educational, and aligned with the museum's mission.  

Audience Growth & Community Engagement 

  • Expand awareness of NATMUS across local, regional, and national audiences.  

  • Develop strategies to attract younger visitors, families, schools, tourists, automotive enthusiasts, and underserved demographics.  

  • Strengthen and build relationships with community organizations, tourism partners, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders to increase attendance 

  • Serve as the public face of the museum through speaking engagements, media opportunities, and community events.  

Events & Programming 

  • Develop a year-round calendar of events that drives visitation and revenue.  

  • Evaluate event timing, audience demand, and community opportunities to maximize impact.  

  • Create signature experiences that establish NATMUS as a destination attraction.  

  • Oversee educational programs, special exhibits, car shows, lectures, and community events.  

Fundraising & Revenue Development 

  • Lead fundraising efforts including donor cultivation, sponsorships, grants, memberships, and capital campaigns.  

  • Identify new revenue opportunities that support the museum's mission and long-term sustainability.  

  • Build meaningful relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, and community leaders.  

  • Collaborate with the Board to strengthen philanthropic support and financial growth.  

Organizational Leadership 

  • Lead, mentor, and inspire staff and volunteers.  

  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.  

  • Oversee museum operations, budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation.  

  • Ensure organizational policies, governance practices, and operational standards are maintained.  

  • Provide regular performance reporting and strategic recommendations to the Board of Directors.  

Qualifications 

  • Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public History, Marketing, Tourism, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.  

  • Minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience.  

  • Demonstrated success leading organizational growth and strategic initiatives.  

  • Experience managing budgets, operations, and teams.  

  • Strong communication, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.  

  • Experience using research, analytics, and performance data to drive decision-making.  

  • Proven ability to build partnerships and engage stakeholders.  

  • Passion for preserving and promoting history, culture, education, or transportation heritage.  

Preferred 

  • Museum, nonprofit, tourism, cultural institution, or attraction management experience.  

  • Fundraising, sponsorship, grant writing, or capital campaign experience.  

  • Experience creating visitor-focused exhibits or public programming.  

  • Knowledge of automotive, trucking, transportation, engineering, or industrial history.  

  • Experience with membership organizations and volunteer engagement.  

  • Marketing, audience development, or destination attraction experience.  

Desired Leadership Traits 

The ideal candidate will be: 

  • Visionary and forward-thinking  

  • Entrepreneurial and opportunity-focused  

  • Data-driven and strategic  

  • Passionate about automotive and transportation heritage  

  • Collaborative and relationship-oriented  

  • Innovative and creative  

  • Comfortable leading change and growth  

  • Highly organized and accountable  

  • An effective communicator and storyteller  

  • A builder of teams, partnerships, and community support  

Success in This Role 

Within the first three years, the Executive Director will: 

  • Develop and implement a strategic growth roadmap for NATMUS.  

  • Increase museum visibility and regional recognition.  

  • Expand attendance through innovative exhibits and programming.  

  • Attract broader and more diverse audiences.  

  • Strengthen fundraising and sponsorship efforts.  

  • Improve utilization of museum assets and facilities.  

  • Position NATMUS as one of the premier automotive and transportation museums in the Midwest.  

$5,000 insurance stipend

PTO as agreed upon

Company Description

The National Auto & Truck Museum (NATMUS) is a museum of doers. For more than 40 years, NATMUS has preserved and celebrated America's automotive and trucking heritage through unique vehicles, exhibits, artifacts, and educational experiences.
Located in Auburn, Indiana, the museum has grown through grassroots passion, volunteer dedication, and a commitment to sharing the stories that shaped transportation history.