Head of Learning & Engagement

Full Job Description

The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity.

Nearly four million people come through our doors each year—with millions more online—making us one of the most visited art museums in the world.

Our renowned collection includes nearly 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today.

Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, candidates must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to grade level GS-15.

Specialized experience is defined as the demonstrated ability to perform the duties of the position, including progressively broad and complex experience directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) below: MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must address the following mandatory qualifications separate from their resumes.

Statements must provide specific examples that address relevant experience, accomplishments and evidence that you possess demonstrated superior technical qualifications.

You will not be considered for this position if you fail to submit qualification statements specifically addressing each mandatory technical qualification requirement.

Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs): Maximum of two pages per MTQ.

Demonstrated general knowledge of art, art education, and art history from a wide range of periods and cultures as represented in the National Gallery's growing collection, supported by a broad knowledge of teaching and learning in an art museum or comparable arts organization; the ability to articulate this knowledge clearly and effectively in speech and writing in support of programs that activate the National Gallery's mission, vision, and values and engage a wide range of audiences.

Demonstrated senior-level leadership and managerial success in the art museum and/or art education fields, including leading, managing, and supervising complex teams and departmental operations to achieve impact; managing large-scale programs and interpretation; adaptability and excellent judgment, communication skills, and growth mindset; inspiring and aligning staff through transparent communication and genuine collaboration; and hiring and training staff to maintain high performance and morale.

Demonstrated strategic, evaluative, and institutional management capability, including developing departmental plans, goals, and priorities in alignment with the National Gallery's mission and strategic plan; formulating clear, measurable objectives; establishing and overseeing comprehensive, data-driven evaluation using quantitative and qualitative methods; managing budgets, assets, and cost/benefit analyses; participating in National Gallery-wide planning and advisory committees; collaborating with executive leadership and other department heads on major initiatives; and applying professional judgment to innovate, assess, and refine programs with proven public impact.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

This position is located in the Office of Exhibitions, Programs and Audience Engagement.

The Head of Learning and Engagement position supervises and directs a department of approximately 40 staff in three departments that strive to support an audience-centered experience through on-site and online programs, experiences and materials.

Through these efforts, the team seeks to maximize the power of art to connect people of all ages and backgrounds to our past, present and future – and to each other.

The department also includes more than 400 volunteers who assist with programs.

The Head of Learning and Engagement will: Provide strategic leadership to develop and implement a dynamic and ambitious portfolio of programs and offerings that activate the National Gallery's mission, vision and values and have proven impact with a range of audiences.

Leads, inspires and aligns staff for success and with a commitment to transparent communication and genuine collaboration.

In consultation with the Executive Officer – Exhibitions, Programs, and Audience Engagement (XO/P), oversees the development of high-quality interpretive, educational, and public programming and recommends goals and priorities to ensure quality, efficiency, productivity, and the best use of resources, consistent with the National Gallery's overall standards and objectives.

Establish, supervise, and champion a comprehensive, ongoing program of data-driven evaluation of departmental progress toward achieving stated goals and objectives in educational programming.

Recommends what aspects of the program should be initiated, continued, modified, and discontinued.

Establish allocation of and manage departmental resources including divisional budgets, staffing needs (hiring, training, retention), volunteers, program resources, and funding.

Works closely with the Development team to lead or assist in the acquisition of additional support for current programs and new initiatives in learning and engagement.

Evaluate new suggestions and initiatives for the department and the National Gallery.

Coordinates research, programs and initiatives, which help establish the National Gallery as a meaningful contributor of critical resources in support of museum and visual arts education and public engagement.

Assist the XO/P and other executive officers in management duties beyond the department level, as assigned.

They participate in National Gallery-wide advisory and management committees and are a vital team member in National Gallery-wide planning and in the execution of major initiatives.