Manager of Learning and Engagement at Dia Art Foundation

Organisation: Dia Art Foundation
Location: Beacon, New York, US
Salary: $75,000–$93,000 per year
Contract: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Application deadline: Open until filled

Dia Art Foundation is seeking a Manager of Learning and Engagement to support the expansion and impact of its museum programmes, cross-site learning opportunities and other community-driven initiatives.

The Manager will oversee ongoing participatory programmes that engage children and families, organisational partners, intergenerational audiences, K–12 students, and youth and young adults.

With guidance and oversight from the Director of Learning and Engagement, the successful candidate will provide creative leadership for the conception, development, implementation and evaluation of engagement-driven programmes at Dia Beacon and its surrounding communities, while contributing strategic leadership to the long-term growth of community, family, school and youth programmes across Dia’s locations and sites.

The Manager will develop inclusive programmes for all audiences in alignment with Dia’s pedagogical approach, public-engagement strategy and larger institutional priorities.

Key responsibilities

The Manager of Learning and Engagement will:

• Supervise two full-time Program Administrators, up to 25 part-time Artist Educators and up to two apprentices or interns, providing coaching and support across research, curriculum design and programme implementation.
• Implement, sustain and grow Dia’s Beacon-based learning initiatives, managing programme resources, budgets and evaluation.
• Design and facilitate team learning around Dia’s exhibition programme, pedagogical approach and engagement strategies.
• Lead the recruitment and hiring of a diverse and inclusive team of educators.
• Develop and implement a community-engagement strategy emphasising reciprocal relationships with organisations, schools and communities across Dia’s locations and sites.
• Support culturally responsive programmes that centre accessibility and equity.
• Collaborate with Curatorial, Learning and Engagement, Publications and Visitor Experience teams on cross-departmental programming and training.
• Contribute to strategic planning and the development of long-term public- and community-engagement initiatives.
• Maintain an active presence at community events and represent Dia in the Hudson Valley, New York and other Dia sites.
• Develop public-facing content related to learning programmes and community-engagement initiatives.
• Support development initiatives and participate in the wider field of arts education and public engagement.

Requirements

Applicants should have:

• A Master’s degree in Art History, Education, Museum Studies or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of five years of administrative experience, ideally in a nonprofit educational or contemporary art organisation.
• At least three years of experience directly supervising and developing staff, including administrators and artist educators.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering innovative arts-related programming for audiences of all ages.
• Experience developing accessible and inclusive programmes for people of diverse backgrounds, ages, abilities and learning styles.
• Experience initiating and sustaining relationships with community partners and developing responsive, co-created programmes.
• Strong strategic planning, leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Understanding of institutional operations, including regulatory and compliance considerations when working with young people.
• Experience with evaluation methodologies and impact analysis.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with Mac and PC platforms.

Fluency in English and Spanish is desired.

Candidates should demonstrate cultural fluency, empathy, collaborative capacity and a commitment to accessibility and cultural equity, particularly for communities traditionally underserved by museums.

Salary, benefits and working arrangements

The position offers an annual salary of $75,000–$93,000 and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Healthcare benefits with significant employer contributions
• 401(k) retirement plan with 100% employer match up to 4% of employee contributions
• Three weeks of annual vacation
• 10 days of sick leave and 13 holidays
• Generous parental-leave programme
• Fully covered work-related travel expenses
• Reduced or free admission to many American museums and arts organisations

This is a full-time position based at Dia Beacon, with regular presence required at Dia Chelsea in New York City and occasional travel to other Dia sites.

Working hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am–5 pm, with availability required for weekend programme support.

About Dia Art Foundation

Established in 1974, Dia Art Foundation collects, commissions and presents major works of art made from the 1960s onward.

Today, Dia consists of nine permanent sites across the United States and Germany, as well as three changing exhibition spaces in New York State: Dia Chelsea, Dia Beacon and Dia Bridgehampton.

Dia’s mission centres on facilitating meaningful artistic experiences through sustained engagement with art.

Application process

Qualified candidates are invited to complete the online application form and submit a resume and letter of interest.

Applications are open until the position is filled.

Dia Art Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from candidates with nontraditional learning or career paths, including those whose qualifications may differ from the listed requirements.