Curator of Public Programs - Obama Presidential Center

Location

Chicago, IL | Hybrid, 2-3 days per week in office required

Purpose of the Role

The Curator of Public Programs, Obama Presidential Center (OPC) is responsible for advancing program concepts within the Foundation’s early OPC Programming Strategy; building and managing a team of Program Managers; supporting the development of external program partnerships; and overseeing the implementation of programs that will take place across select spaces on the OPC campus, including in the auditorium, media suite, program rooms, library, fruit and vegetable garden, and other public outdoor spaces. The Curator of Public Programs will report to the Director of Programming (Strategy) and work closely with the Museum Director, to hire, train, and oversee a team of program managers experienced in the areas of arts and social practice (visual, music/performing, media arts), democracy and civic culture, gardening and cooking, and large-scale public and cultural programs to translate the OPC Programming Strategy into a suite of meaningful engagements and public offerings, with a focus on local residents. The program plans will integrate with and amplify the existing programming operated globally and in the United States by the Foundation, such as the Foundation’s flagship annual Democracy Forum.

Full description available here.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Manage the implementation of the OPC Programming Strategy, maintaining alignment with the Obama Foundation’s overarching strategic priorities with meaningful connection to the museum experience, and testing and refining programs as we move from strategy to implementation.
• Work closely with other programming teams and External Affairs to further flagship programs that will become signature OPC programs, such as the annual Democracy Forum.
• Contribute to annual strategic programming plans and data-driven goal-setting, inclusive of programs connected to arts and social practice, democracy and leadership, gardening and cooking, and large-scale public programs.
• Manage and cultivate key ongoing program partnerships, in close collaboration with the VP of Partnerships, ensuring that pre-opening community programming is connected to the overall programmatic plans for the Center once open.
• Coordinate with the OPC Operations and Implementation teams and Program Operations team to ensure all program designs and implementation plans align with Foundation policies and processes.
• Contribute to OPC programming development and fundraising activities, including potential donor meetings, executive preparation, and materials creation.
• Create and manage the budget for select OPC programming. Gradually hire and train members of the OPC programming team, and oversee select activities leading up to opening and beyond.
• Support the Director of Programming (Strategy) as needed

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Lead planning  and oversee implementation of select preview programs in advance of the opening of the Center (in late 2025) and ongoing programs that will operate across key spaces in 2026 and beyond, both at the OPC and throughout the city of Chicago, inclusive of youth and adult programming, large-scale festivals, seasonal community-focused events, and special outdoor experiences. Program planning will include programmatic goals, outcomes, partnership development, budgeting, resourcing, communications and marketing plans, audience development, measurement and evaluation, reporting, and implementation plans. 
• Guide annual programming strategic plans for the areas of arts and social practice, democracy and leadership, gardening and cooking, and large-scale public programs, inclusive of budget, staffing, and digital scale.
• Recruit, train, and develop a world-class programming team.
• Collaborate with a variety of internal teams, including OPC Operations, Visitor Experience, Public Engagement, External Affairs (Communications, Creative, Digital, & Marketing), Exhibitions, Events, Global Programs, Program Operations, and more to ensure that key stakeholders and colleagues are fully engaged in program planning and execution and that the programs align with the Foundation’s overall programming strategy and vision.
• Guide team to implement accessible and equity-centered programs leading to impactful outcomes.
• In partnership with the Strategy team, develop a comprehensive measurement and evaluation strategy aligned with programming outcomes and Foundation impact goals. Provide regular reports to leadership.
• Nurture and maintain effective, equitable, and collaborative relationships with programmatic partners in Chicago and across the country and internationally.. 
• Execute programming agreements on a timetable necessary to support the on-time opening of the OPC and on an annual basis, in partnership with Program Operations and other teams. 

Required Qualifications

• Strong background in engaging a variety of audiences in dynamic and impactful place-based and digital cultural programming that advances democratic and civic culture through building participation, trust, and pathways for engagement in our societies. Experience implementing programming in a museum, academic setting, cultural institution, or at an experiential agency is highly desirable. 
• A deep understanding of cultural, education, and tech trends in both physical and virtual/digital settings. 
• Significant experience in managing complex, high profile programs/events and partnerships, working with thought leaders, and emerging and established talent. Experience with youth/teen and adult cultural programming.
• Well connected to or interested in engaging with the cultural, education, nonprofit leadership, and creative industries with the ability to discover, recommend, and source talent.Understanding of inclusive design and accessibility coordination for diverse audiences across age ranges. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing equity-centered measurement and evaluation, programming, and partnership strategies aligned with the needs of target audiences.
• Broad project management experience and excellent communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with internal stakeholders and to build and manage equitable relationships with community members and external partners.
• Experience managing budgets and supervising direct reports. 

The salary range for this role is between $129,675 and $162,070.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

At the Obama Foundation, we are guided by a core belief: that ordinary people working together can change history. Our mission is to inspire those people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone.

We were founded by community organizers, so when we seek change, we do it by bringing people together. 

That approach begins at home, on the South Side of Chicago, where we are building the Obama Presidential Center. The Center represents a historic opportunity for Chicago: a chance to build a world-class museum and public gathering space that celebrates our nation’s first African American President and First Lady, steps away from where he began his career, where she was raised, and where—together—they made their home. 

But that approach extends to all our work, whether it’s holding leadership training sessions in communities throughout the U.S., bringing local leaders together in countries around the world, working to support the global education of girls, or ensuring young men of color have pathways to opportunity.

As President Obama has said, “we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together.” So join us. 

For more information, please visit www.obama.org.

In the interest of employee health and safety during the pendency of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Obama Foundation is requiring that all prospective employees present proof that they are fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, or seek a reasonable accommodation for religious or medical reasons, prior to their first day of employment.