Director, Civic Engagement

Director, Civic Engagement & Community Partnerships Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | Kansas City, MO Full-time | Exempt The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is seeking a visionary and collaborative Director of Civic Engagement & Community Partnerships to lead museum-wide strategies that connect art to civic life, deepen community relationships, and foster belonging and wellbeing. This senior leadership role is for an experienced professional energized by building partnerships, guiding teams, and shaping how a major cultural institution shows up for its communities. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Learning & Engagement, the Director will set institutional direction for civic engagement and community partnerships and play a key role in advancing the museum’s mission at a pivotal moment of growth and transformation. About The Role In this leadership role, you will provide enterprise-level guidance for civic engagement across the museum—establishing priorities, strategy, and ensuring programs and partnerships reflect the values of inclusion, access, and equity. You will oversee a talented team of managers and educators, steward significant resources, and collaborate closely with colleagues across Curatorial, Development, Marketing, and Operations. What You’ll Do Set Direction & Strategy: Lead the development and implementation of a museum-wide strategy for civic engagement and community partnerships aligned with the Nelson-Atkins mission and strategic plan. Build Meaningful Partnerships: Cultivate and sustain relationships with cultural, educational, and civic organizations, community leaders, and partners across the region. Guide Programs with Impact: Provide oversight and direction for a diverse portfolio of programs—including late-night events, exhibition-related initiatives, and wellbeing programming—ensuring quality, relevance, and alignment with institutional goals. Lead and Develop Teams: Supervise and mentor manager-level staff, building leadership capacity, setting clear expectations, and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability. Steward Resources: Oversee departmental and program budgets, including multi-year financial planning; approve contracts and expenditures; and collaborate with Development on fundraising opportunities. Measure What Matters: Champion evaluation and learning by establishing outcomes, metrics, and performance indicators to assess effectiveness and support continuous improvement. Represent the Museum: Serve as a senior leader and ambassador for the Nelson-Atkins in community and professional settings. What We’re Looking For 8–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in civic engagement, community partnerships, museum education, or related public-facing cultural work. Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing managers, and overseeing budgets. Deep understanding of equity-centered, community-engaged practice and emerging trends in museums or cultural organizations. Strong strategic thinking, communication, and relationship-building skills. Experience with evaluation, research, and using data to inform decision-making. A bachelor’s degree in Visual Art, Museum Studies, Education, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Why Join the Nelson-Atkins? The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art offers free admission to all and is nationally recognized for its collections, campus, and commitment to community. We believe art has the power to inspire, challenge, and bring people together—and we are deeply committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive museum for all. Compensation Starting Salary Range: $102,485 - 115,318 (Final offers are based on experience, qualifications, responsibilities, internal equity, and market conditions.) Health & Wellness Medical, dental, and vision insurance Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Onsite wellness center and fitness classes Paid parental and family leave Work–Life Balance Generous paid time off and ten paid holidays 35-hour workweek for most positions (Monday–Friday) Occasional evening and weekend work aligned with museum programming Professional Growth Paid professional development opportunities Free access to exhibitions and reciprocal admission to partner museums Continuous learning opportunities through our Learning Management System Financial Security Employer retirement contributions Life and disability insurance Culture & Mission An inspiring, art-filled work environment where creativity and collaboration thrive Opportunities to attend exhibition previews, lectures, and community events A meaningful opportunity to advance access to the arts and civic engagement A creative, inclusive culture that values scholarship, collaboration, and balance Equal Opportunity & Accessibility The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected category. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact People & Culture at people&culture@nelson-atkins.org. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art conducts pre-employment background checks as part of the selection process. How to Apply Please apply through our applicant tracking system and submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience. #J-18808-Ljbffr