Manager of Education | Laguna Art Museum

Date Created: October 2026 

Position: Manager of Education 

Reports To: Deputy Director 

FLSA Status: Full-Time Exempt

Description 

Laguna Art Museum is seeking an innovative and visionary Manager of Education to lead our Education Department into its next chapter of growth and excellence. This critical role is ideal for a dynamic professional ready to shape and elevate educational programming and initiatives in alignment with the Museum’s strategic plan and mission. The Manager of Education will drive the development and execution of an education strategy that expands community engagement, deepens learning experiences, positions the Museum as a leader in cultural education and increases earned revenue. This role’s primary responsibilities are departmental management, strategic planning, budgeting, program oversight, staff supervision, and independent decision making. While the Manager will occasionally step in to provide operational support, this hands-on execution is secondary to their overarching leadership duties. At the same time, the Manager of Education must be an inspirational leader who motivates the Education Team towards mission-driven impact, stewardship and the growth of the Museum. The Manager of Education will collaborate closely with staff and members of the Board of 

Trustees. This is a unique opportunity to lead with purpose, innovate with intention and contribute meaningfully to the Museum’s long-term success. 

At Laguna Art Museum, our work and culture are guided by six central principles. The ideal candidate will deeply align with these core values: 

• Service to Others – We put our community, visitors, and artists at the center of what we do. 

• Education – We inspire curiosity and lifelong learning through art. 

• Approachability – We are welcoming and free of pretension. 

• Free Expression – We uphold art as a space for openness, reflection, and dialogue. 

• Generosity – We cultivate a spirit of giving, sharing resources, and opportunities to strengthen our community. 

• Trust – We act with integrity, responsibility, and transparency. 

Responsibilities and duties for the Manager of Education position include: 

• Develops and executes an overall strategy for the Education Department that is mission-driven and in alignment with the Museum’s Strategic Plan 

• Creates and maintains department best practices and procedures 

• Oversees the implementation of all initiatives, programs and curriculum developed within the Education Department 

• Directly supervises Education Department employees, including two full-time support staff and up to three part-time Museum Educators. Responsibilities include hiring and onboarding, assigning and directing work, training and coaching, conducting performance evaluations, administering corrective action, and making recommendations concerning promotion, compensation, and other changes in employee status. 

• Provides leadership, recruitment, training and ongoing stewardship for the Museum’s volunteer Docent corps 

• Delegates hands-on program execution and logistical tasks to the full-time support staff and part-time Museum Educators, focusing personal efforts on 

departmental oversight and strategic growth 

• Prepares and manages the annual Education Department budget 

• Increases earned revenue streams by strategically creating new programs, outreach events and other initiatives 

• Implements and maintains a data-driven evaluation strategy for all Department initiatives and programs; provides Deputy Director with data-driven feedback and suggestions for growth 

• Collaborates with the Development Department in a timely manner to provide data and information for grant requests and other sources of contributed revenue 

• Develops and executes a spending plan for all sources of contributed revenue that are restricted for Education Department purposes; provides Deputy Director with this plan and works with them to accommodate any changes or funding priorities 

• Collaborates with the Marketing and Communications teams to regularly promote Education Department programs and initiatives 

• Ensures accurate reporting of programs and events in Altru 

• Serves as staff liaison to the Board of Trustees’ Education Committee and works with the Committee Chair to ensure alignment with the Museum’s Strategic Plan 

• Develops and maintains relationships with key strategic partners such as schools, school districts, universities, community service organizations, 

community centers, non-profit organizations, etc. 

• Makes public presentations promoting the Museum’s Education Department and program; may speak with the press regarding Education programs and initiatives 

• Adjusts work hours as needed to accommodate evening and weekend events. 

Skills and Qualifications: 

• 5–7 years of progressive experience in museum education, public programs, or arts administration, including a proven track record of independently managing staff, leading teams, and overseeing departmental operations. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Art Education, Visual Arts, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience). 

• A proven track record demonstrating genuine service to community, high ethical standards, transparency, and a welcoming, unpretentious approach to public engagement. 

• A confident and credible communicator who can present to the Board of Trustees and engage patrons with ease. 

• Strong understanding of AAM museum standards and best practices for audience engagement, with a demonstrated ability to partner effectively with curatorial teams. 

• Demonstrated ability to supervise employees, lead teams, and provide clear, constructive direction. 

• Experience with or enthusiasm for creating fee-based public offerings that generate earned revenue. 

• Proficiency with museum ticketing/CRM databases (Altru/Blackbaud preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite. 

• Flexibility to work select evenings and weekends for lectures, workshops, and community events. 

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Must be a good communicator. 

Physical Demands, Working Conditions and Mathematical Skills: The position requires calculating program budgets, calculating program costs and percentages, assisting with art activities, setting up program spaces, and lifting or moving program materials weighing up to 20 pounds. 

Work Environment: Staff will work in general office conditions. This position requires a significant amount of computer work and use of general office equipment. Work will require occasional evening and weekend hours consistent with the museum’s schedule of events and activities. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Contact with Others: The position involves a significant amount of contact with museum staff, trustees, volunteers and the public. This includes occasional interaction with museum trustees, donors, members and staff that may be of a sensitive or confidential nature. Discretion and sound judgement are required. 

Compensation: 

$72,384 - $91,000 depending on candidate experience. 

LAM offers a strong benefits package for full-time employees, including a medical contribution equal to 100% of the Kaiser Bronze 60/5800 plan premium, which may be applied to any Kaiser or Anthem Blue Cross plan the employee elects. The museum also provides 100% employer-paid dental coverage for employees and their dependents, as well as 100% employer-paid Life and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance for employees only. Employees have access to Voluntary Life coverage, to which LAM contributes. Additional benefits include an Employee Assistance Program, 

optional supplemental coverage, a 401(k) match, 10 paid holidays, vacation accrual beginning at three weeks (expanding to four weeks after five years), and opportunities for professional development. Benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms and may be modified. 

To Apply: Please email a cover letter and resume to Victoria Gerard, Deputy Director at vgerard@lagunaartmuseum.org. Please use "Manager of Guest Experience” as the email subject line.