Manager of Learning & Engagement

About Dia Art Foundation Dia Art Foundation was established in 1974 for the purpose of collecting, commissioning, and presenting major works of art made in the 1960s onward. Today it consists of nine permanent sites across the United States and Germany, as well as three changing exhibition spaces in New York State: Dia Chelsea in the city, Dia Beacon in the Hudson Valley, and Dia Bridgehampton on Long Island. Dia is taken from the Greek word for “through” and conveys the foundation’s role as a facilitator of meaningful artistic experiences that can be encountered in single and repeated visits.

Position summaryThe Manager of Learning and Engagement supports the expansion and impact of Dia Art Foundation’s museum programs, cross-site learning opportunities, and other community-driven initiatives. They also oversee ongoing participatory programs that engage children and families, organizational partners, intergenerational audiences, K–12 students, and youth and young adults.

With guidance and oversight from the Director of Learning and Engagement, the individual in this role provides creative leadership for the conception, development, implementation, and evaluation of all engagement-driven programs at Dia Beacon and its surrounding communities, while contributing strategic leadership to the design and long-term growth of community, family, school, and youth and young-adult programs across Dia’s locations and sites.

The Manager of Learning and Engagement develops and initiates inclusive programs for all audiences in alignment with Dia’s pedagogical approach, public-engagement strategy, and larger institutional priorities, and provides oversight and guidance for established ongoing and seasonal programs.

Essential duties and responsibilitiesSupervise two full-time Program Administrators, up to 25 part-time Artist Educators, and up to two apprentices/interns by establishing clear benchmarks and expectations for team members; engage in direct coaching and support all aspects of research, curriculum/program design, and implementation; manage assignments, scheduling, and payroll Implement, sustain, and grow Dia’s Beacon-based learning initiatives, including managing program resources/budgets and ensuring that in-gallery and off-site programming is aligned with Dia’s institutional goals, pedagogical values, and quality standards through research, observation, and consistent evaluative and reporting practicesIn dialogue with the Director of Learning and Engagement, set objectives and facilitate learning goals for a thriving, values-driven internal community of practice; design and facilitate team learning around Dia’s exhibition program, pedagogical approach, and strategies of engagement, including cross-departmental training as appropriate; manage all aspects of the recruitment and hiring of a diverse and inclusive team of educators With oversight from the Director of Learning and Engagement, develop and implement a community-engagement strategy, emphasizing reciprocal relationships with organizations, schools, and communities across Dia’s locations and sites, as well as supporting the development of a range of culturally responsive and relevant programs that center accessibility and equity for all people and publics at DiaIn dialogue with the Director of Learning and Engagement and in collaboration with the Curator of Public Engagement, establish aligned priorities and greater collaborative capacity for cross-team programming and trainings with the Curatorial, Learning and Engagement, and Publications departments, in response to and anticipation of Dia’s expanding program, audiences, and institutional growth; work collaboratively with the Visitor Experience team to implement shared priorities across departments and organize cross-team learning opportunities Other duties and responsibilitiesCollaborate with the Director of Learning and Engagement in strategic planning and the development of long-term projectsContribute leadership to Learning and Engagement, cross-departmental, and organizational public- and community-engagement initiatives, particularly those prioritizing greater access and equity, and initiating corresponding programs/partnerships across Dia’s locations and sites as directedMaintain an active, collaborative presence at community events and act as a representative of Dia in the Hudson Valley, New York, and Dia sites as directedIn dialogue with the Communications, Marketing, and Publications departments, author public-facing content related to Learning and Engagement programs and community-engagement initiatives; contribute expertise to organizational considerations and communications related to accessibility Actively participate in the field of arts education and public/community engagement, sharing best practices with colleagues in the field and at Dia, particularly as they relate to cultural equity and accessibilitySupport development initiatives, including engaging with Dia’s board and supporters as directedAttend Dia Beacon and Dia Chelsea meetings and act as a key collaborator across sites as directed Additional responsibilities and projects as directed Education, certification, and experienceMaster’s degree in art history, education, museum studies, or related fields, or commensurate professional experience required Minimum of five years of administrative experience, ideally in a nonprofit educational or contemporary-art organizationMinimum of three years of experience directly supervising and developing staff (including administrators and artist educators) and establishing priorities of practice across all aspects of the design and delivery of innovative arts-related programming for all ages in a museum context or equivalent is essential, with demonstrated leadership competenciesExperience initiating and balancing short-term goals while making sustained progress toward long-term priorities related to program strategy, impact, team development, and researchExperience designing, facilitating, and implementing impactful, accessible, and inclusive programs supporting intersectional publics of diverse background, age, abilities, and learning stylesExperience initiating and sustaining relationships with community partners and realizing responsive, co-created programs centered on shared prioritiesFluency in English and Spanish desired Knowledge, skills, and abilitiesMust demonstrate a commitment to the mission of Dia Art Foundation as well as to making art accessible to all through dynamic and innovative programs, particularly for communities traditionally underserved by museums Cultural fluency, empathy, collaborative capacity, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to accessibility and cultural equity is essentialAbility to engage with and execute strategic approaches and principles to advance short- and long-term goals/projects, with the capacity to delegate, establish accountability structures, and make informed choices that align with Dia’s approach and institutional prioritiesTakes initiative and is a strategic thinker able to synthesize information and communicate priorities to a wide community of stakeholders in support of a purposeful, values-driven programDemonstrated understanding of institutional operations, including regulatory and compliance considerations when working with youth in the nonprofit sectorExperience with evaluation methodologies and analysis in support of measuring impact Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with both Mac and PC platforms Working conditions and physical demandsThis is a full-time position based at the Dia Beacon offices and requires regular presence at the Dia Chelsea offices/galleries in New York with some travel to Dia’s sites.

Work hours are 40 per week from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday; availability for weekend program support requiredSignificant computer work, which may require repetitive motions, prolonged periods of sitting, and sustained visual and mental applicationsOccasional lifting, bending, pulling, collating, and filing, some of which could be heavy (up to 15 lbs.) or require the use of cartsDia Art Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies.

In addition, Dia will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and supports a neurodiverse workplace. Candidates with nontraditional learning or career paths and/or applicants whose qualifications differ from those listed above are encouraged to apply.