Museum Manager Job Description

The Museum Manager oversees daily museum operations, event rentals, and mission-critical systems and databases. Reporting to the Executive Director, this full-time position collaborates with ABM staff, volunteers, and interns to support the museum’s public spaces. The position strengthens the museum’s long-term sustainability by improving admissions, expanding contributed and earned revenue, and ensuring smooth operational support.

Core Responsibilities

• Support public-facing and front-of-house operations
• Develop and manage event rentals
• Operate and maintain core museum systems
• Support fundraising activities

Specific Goals and Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily logistics for tours, visitor experiences, and special programs
• Welcome and check in visitors, provide wayfinding support, and manage museum shop sales
• Prepare reports on admissions, memberships, donors, and visitor demographics
• Convert event rental leads into bookings and manage the museum facility during events
• Respond to rental inquiries and coordinate contracts and event setup
• Manage formal agreements for event rentals
• Handle invoicing, reporting, and payments for event rentals
• Coordinate, plan, and set up receptions, lectures, event rentals, and other special events for museum visitors
• Support fundraising through email campaigns, donor cultivation, grant writing, and campaign development
• Identify funding opportunities and prepare grant proposals, including supporting data analysis
• Lead docent tours as needed
• Assist with cataloging and processing new acquisitions in ABM’s collection database, including loan agreements and condition reports
• Create promotional content and marketing materials for museum programs across the website, print materials, and social media

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in museum studies, business administration, history, education, or a related field; equivalent work experience considered
• At least one year of museum experience performing similar responsibilities and contributing to institutional goals
• Ability to build and maintain positive, professional relationships with staff, volunteers, and the public
• Composure, diplomacy, creative problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills
• Demonstrated cultural competency and commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly in multiple formats and speak comfortably to groups
• Familiarity with CRM databases, ticketing and event software, cataloging systems, productivity tools such as Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, and basic social media and email platforms
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while managing multiple projects
• Commitment to supporting a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) framework
• Graphic design skills and familiarity with tools such as InDesign and Photoshop preferred
• Experience with WordPress and website management preferred

Working Conditions, and Physical Environment

• Ability to commute to downtown San Francisco and work on site in an open office environment
• Ability to work at a computer workstation and front-of-house check-in desk
• Ability to safely handle museum objects and operate tools and machinery
• Ability to lift heavy objects and perform similar physical tasks during the workday
• Ability to stand for extended periods while leading tours or group activities
• Ability to climb stairs to access the administrative office
• Availability to work Tuesday through Saturday, 9m. to 5 p.m., with flexibility for evening special events and event rentals

Apply online