Interim Manager, Octagon Museum

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Architects Foundation and collaborate with AIA’s Managing Director, Campus Operations & Visitor Experience, this is temporary opportunity to steward a National Historic Landmark museum at the heart of the AIA’s new Global Campus for Architecture & Design. The duration of this temporary position is up to three months with the possibility to extend. This role will manage the stewardship, maintenance, exhibitions, and public programs of The Octagon and supports programming coordination for the Global Campus for Architecture & Design (GCAD).

The position bridges daily museum operations with the Foundation’s preparation for the public reopening of The Octagon as a centerpiece of the Global Campus and should be comfortable managing schedules, records, and vendors with minimal supervision in a dynamic, evolving environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

A. The Octagon – Site Management & Activation

Lead the day-to-day operations of a landmark museum in active transition, ensuring a safe, welcoming, and engaging experience for all visitors.

• Daily site operations: Open/close procedures; front-of-house readiness; visitor services; ticketing/check-in; gallery standards.
• Safety & compliance: Life-safety checks; incident reporting; first-response coordination; adherence to policies/procedures; authority to pause operations for safety and initiate incident command protocols until relieved.
• Environment & collections care: Monitor temperature, humidity, and light; uphold housekeeping standards; conduct integrated pest management checks; coordinate with collections consultants for handling and preventive care; maintain logs.
• Docent & volunteer oversight: Schedule and oversee docents, temps, and volunteers.
• Exhibitions: Build production calendars; coordinate fabrication, installation, and deinstallation; proof and approve labels and room text for accuracy, tone, and accessibility (including ADA and inclusive-design practices).
• Programs & rentals: Serve as day-of on-site lead for tours, programs, partner events, and rentals; coordinate facilities and vendors; manage run-of-show and post-event resets.
• Project management & risk: Keep to budgets and schedules for Octagon operations and exhibits; track deliverables, risks, and mitigations; maintain dashboards and compliance records.

B. GCAD – Contributor (Exhibition Content & Public Programming Coordination)

Support the design and delivery of exhibitions and public programs that introduce audiences to the AIA Global Campus and its vision for design literacy.

• Exhibition content: Research, draft, and edit interpretive materials (object labels, section/room text, handouts, family activities) in collaboration with GCAD leadership and designers.
• Production coordination: Maintain content calendars and milestones; route proofs; coordinate with fabricators and vendors; support installation days as assigned; manage credit lines and acknowledgments.
• Public programming: Coordinate with GCAD programming and operations on logistics, staffing plans, run-of-show, and audience experience; assist on-site for select events.
• Stakeholder alignment: Liaise with partners, educators, and community groups to ensure mission alignment, audience accessibility, and brand consistency.

C. Facilities & Vendor Operations (Capital Projects & Maintenance)

• Capital project liaison: Serve as liaison to the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) for capital projects including HVAC modernization, roof replacement, and accessibility upgrades-key steps toward making The Octagon the oldest LEED-certified building in the United States.
• Procurement: Draft project scopes; solicit quotes and RFPs for museum operations and maintenance.
• Vendor coordination: Act as the primary point of contact for associated external vendors, contractors, and consultants.
• Facilities maintenance: Liaise with JLL engineering services for oversight of the physical plant; coordinate maintenance vendors and service providers for ongoing facility needs.
• Planning & reporting: Maintain workplans, calendars, and outcome dashboards for exhibits, programs, rentals, donations, maintenance, and capital projects.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, public history, arts administration, architecture/design, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of hands-on experience managing operations, exhibitions, or facilities in a museum, historic site, or cultural venue.
• Demonstrated success producing exhibitions and writing/editing interpretive content (submit two short writing samples).
• Strong project management skills: budgets, schedules, vendor/fabricator coordination, and risk tracking across multiple concurrent projects.
• Proficiency with collections/CRM and office tools (e.g., PastPerfect or equivalent; MS/Google suite; basic PM software).
• Excellent interpersonal skills; consistent, welcoming public presence; commitment to inclusive, accessible experiences.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in museum studies, public history, arts administration, architecture/design, or related field.
• Experience in short-term or project-based museum management or capital project transitions.
• Experience with event/rental operations; first-aid/CPR or incident management training.
• Familiarity with ADA/inclusive-design standards and plain-language editorial practices.

Supervisory Responsibilities

There are no direct reports; but for the Octagon: Day-to-day lead for docents, temps, and volunteers; may supervise short-term interns or contractors tied to Octagon exhibitions.

GCAD: Works in a matrix with GCAD programming and operations staff; coordinates tasks and event staffing plans; does not own GCAD site operations.

Work Schedule & Conditions

This role blends on-site public hours with focused off-site project work. Some evenings and weekends are required for programs and events. The role will work independently while coordinating closely with Foundation and AIA staff. Periods of standing/walking; occasional lifting/moving of exhibition elements up to ~40 lbs with appropriate support and safety protocols. Background check required.

Commitment to Inclusion

The Architects Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse perspectives and lived experiences and welcome candidates who will broaden our team’s strengths and our public’s experience of design and history.

Tagged as: REC

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