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Museum Manager Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

... Chazen Museum of Art. This position will work closely with other members of staff including the Visitor Services Manager, student workers, and security officers, helping carry out the Chazen ...

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Chazen Museum of Art seeks an Education Coordinator (EC) to ... Excellent organizational and time management skills, including experience in coordinating multiple ...

Museum Manager information

See Madison, WI salary details

$5

$17

$25

How much do museum manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum manager in Madison, WI is $17.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.70 and $18.44 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 museum's collections and visitor experience.

How to get into museum management?

To become a museum manager, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in museum studies, history, art, or a related field, along with experience in museum operations or curation. Developing skills in leadership, budgeting, and public engagement, often through internships or entry-level roles, is essential for advancement into management positions.

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a museum manager?

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 Madison, WI?

The most popular types of Museum jobs in Madison, WI are:

What are popular job titles related to Museum Manager jobs in Madison, WI?

For Museum Manager jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Museum Manager jobs in Madison, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Museum Manager jobs in Madison, WI are:

What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Museum Manager jobs?

Cities near Madison, WI with the most Museum Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Museum Manager job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,573 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

Visitor Services Assistant

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI • On-site

$20.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


University Of Wisconsin-Madison rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

126th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.
Job Category:
University Staff
Employment Type:
Terminal (Fixed Term)
Job Profile:
Customer Service Representative
Job Summary:
The Chazen Museum of Art seeks a front-line representative responsible for establishing the initial interaction with visitors to the Chazen Museum of Art. This position will work closely with other members of staff including the Visitor Services Manager, student workers, and security officers, helping carry out the Chazen's mission by ensuring all visitors to the museum feel welcomed, supported, and informed of all museum resources available to them. Visitor Services Assistants also provide support for security and other museum operations such as exhibitions, events, and programming.
A typical day will be split between the front desk (greeting visitors, familiarizing them with the Chazen's resources and policies, answering phones, responding to visitor questions) and the collection and exhibition galleries (monitoring spaces for visitor and artwork safety, wayfinding, engaging with visitors). Throughout the day, this role will coordinate with student team members, keep in close communication with our on-site security officers, and inform the visitor services manager of any issues.
KEY DUTIES:
  • Embody excellent visitor service skills to welcome and include visitors, and to inform them of the museum's layout, collections, exhibitions, and events.
  • Monitor safety of visitors and artwork in the galleries.
  • Reinforce museum policies regarding food, bags, touching artwork, etc.
  • Communicate with security officers and other visitor services staff to ensure smooth daily operations.
  • Greet groups as they arrive and assist with stowing their belongings.
  • Submit reports to Visitor Services Manager regarding incidents, questions, and visitor issues.
  • Act as role model for student staff, including leading shadowing shifts for incoming student Visitor Services Assistants.
  • Complete regular gallery inventories.
  • Assist with opening and closing procedures as needed.
  • Provide administrative support for Visitor Services, including answering phones, restocking materials at the Visitor Services Desks, monitoring exhibition materials, entering attendance data, and assisting with museum surveys.
  • Help visitors with general Madison-related inquiries and wayfinding as needed.
  • Provide occasional staffing and logistical support for public programs.

Key Job Responsibilities:
  • Troubleshoots and resolves issues in a timely and professional manner
  • Monitors and maintains work areas and supplies to meet customer and operational needs
  • Processes customer transactions and may take payments following established policies and procedures
  • Guides and trains staff and student workers
  • Provides exceptional service, answers questions, or provides information in a specific subject area to (internal, external) (customers, donors, stakeholders) based on set material or standards
  • Organizes, distributes, and maintains relevant work unit procedures, polices, and updates to ensure accuracy and relevancy of delivered information

Department:
Chazen Museum of Art
Anticipated work week:
Tuesday through Saturday, 40 hours per week. Some weekday evenings required.
Compensation:
The starting rate for this position is $20.50/hour but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.
Required Qualifications:
1+ year of professional experience in customer service or similar field and/or working with visitors in a public setting.
Excellent communications skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in an arts, education, community, or non-profit setting.
A commitment to supporting the Chazen's vision and goals related to visitor experience, including knowledge of and sensitivity to multiculturalism and diversity.
The ability to interface with many different roles on campus and engage across communities and identities.
Physical Demands:
Sitting/standing
Walking
Moving tables and chairs
Pushing carts
Education:
Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
How to Apply:
To apply for this position, select either "I am a current employee" or "I am not a current employee" under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.
Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.
  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • References

Contact Information:
Serena Boman, HR Generalist, hr@chancellor.wisc.edu
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

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About University of Wisconsin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Wisconsin, based in Madison, WI, US, functions in the educational industry and is a renowned and respected institution for higher education. Its official website is wisc.edu. Established in 1848, this public research university is recognized globally for its innovative approach to education, research, creativity, and public service. It embodies a strong commitment to academic freedom and academic excellence. As a major contributor to the Wisconsin Idea, it aims to accomplish its mission of generating well-rounded individuals who will contribute substantially to society, the local community, and the global economy.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Madison, WI, US

Year founded

2005