General Manager / Chief Operating Officer

Wrightwood 659 is a unique art space in Lincoln Park dedicated to the exhibition of socially engaged art and architecture. The General Manager / Chief Operating Officer is a senior leadership role responsible for managing Wrightwood 659’s operations, exhibitions, and programs, and for advancing our strategy and mission.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, equally comfortable guiding staff through complicated installation schedules, focusing on exhibition and program development and implementation, marketing, audience engagement, managing staff, honing the institution’s point of view, and managing engagement with community partners.

Wrightwood 659 is a non-collecting institution and has no fundraising activities. As such, the General Manager / Chief Operating Officer will have no collections management or development requirements.

Job Description and Responsibilities

Executive Leadership and Management:

• Foster a culture of excellence, integrity, respect and collaboration.
• Cultivate, manage and retain a highly qualified and talented team of ten full-time staff, as well as part-time and seasonal team members.
• Provide staff with ongoing oversight, training, evaluations and professional development opportunities.
• Manage annual event and exhibition calendar, and team of independent curators, outside public relations and advertising firms, art handlers, and other contractors and vendors related to exhibitions and building operations.
• Supervise and work closely with building facilities team.
• Provide oversight and prudent stewardship of financial resources.
• Ensure compliance with policies and operating procedures, loan agreements, security measures, risk-management guidelines, employment law, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Be committed to a progressive social agenda and have appreciation for good design and architecture.

Marketing and Communications:

• Supervise the creation and execution of marketing and communication plans to increase visibility of exhibitions and build broad audiences.
  

Requirements, Skills, and Abilities:

• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in museum or other nonprofit arts organization at an upper administrative level or comparable background. Degree in a museum-related field is desirable.
• Strong managerial, organizational, human relations, and oral/written communication skills.
• Sound knowledge of museum profession and basic legal aspects of museums and nonprofit operations.
• Outstanding organizational abilities and attention to detail. Time-management skills, ability to prioritize tasks, assist staff in prioritizing programs and tasks, and delegate when necessary.
• Analytical mind capable of “out-of-the-box” thinking to solve problems. Ability to adapt to change, have resilience under pressure, and maintain a sense of humor.
• Flexible availability, with the ability to adjust weekly schedule to work Saturdays when exhibitions are open to the public.
• Full-time, in-person position; not suitable for remote work.

Salary and Benefits:

• The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000, commensurate with experience.
• Highly competitive benefits package, including employee health insurance, retirement plan, and vacation time. Free onsite parking.

How to Apply:

• Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, and list of three references to jobs@wrightwood659.org.

We are an equal opportunity employer with a progressive, LGBTQ‐friendly environment.