Director of Public Programs & Visitor Experience | Abbe Museum - Bar Harbor, Maine

Type: Full-time, Experienced

Required Education: Undergraduate Degree (or Equivalent)

Salary: $70,000 – $85,000 DOE, plus benefits

Position Summary

The Director of Public Programs & Visitor Experience provides strategic and operational leadership for all public-facing programs, visitor services, and earned revenue at the Abbe Museum. This position is responsible for the museum's admissions, program, and event revenue lines, and for ensuring that every visitor encounter — from first arrival to final impression — reflects the Abbe's commitment to Wabanaki voices, cultural authenticity, and broad public access.

The Director designs and stewards a year-round program calendar that serves the museum's mission, drives attendance and earned income, and advances the museum’s strategic vision through the 100th Anniversary year and beyond. This is a senior leadership role with direct budget authority, staff oversight,  and active participation in institutional planning.

Roles and Responsibilities

Revenue & Financial Management

• Own and manage the earned revenue budget, including admissions, shop sales, program fees, and ticketed events.

• Set annual revenue targets in partnership with the Deputy Director and Finance; report monthly against goals.

• Develop pricing strategies, package offers, and program structures that grow program income while maintaining access.

• Monitor attendance data, yield-per-visitor, and program ROI; adjust the programming mix accordingly.

• Manage shop budget, forecast sales, and provide regular updates on product performance and market trends.

• Work with Advancement on grant support for programming, including tracking and reporting of major grants and other program-related funding.

Public Programs

• Design and manage a year-round, multi-format public program calendar aligned with exhibitions, the Wabanaki cultural calendar, and seasonal visitation patterns.

• Develop and maintain relationships with Wabanaki artists, thought leaders, and culture bearers; ensure Wabanaki voices are centered in all programming.

• Supervise and support the Curator of Education’s work to develop and present high-quality adult, family, school group, and tour programming across both the downtown Bar Harbor site and Sieur de Monts.

• Evaluate program effectiveness through attendance data, participant feedback, and revenue outcomes; sunset underperforming programs and scale what works.

Visitor Experience

• Set the standard for visitor experience across all public-facing touchpoints, including front-of-house, wayfinding, interpretation, and accessibility.

• Hire, supervise, and support the seasonal visitor services staff; develop training protocols and service standards.

• Develop and/or determine inventory, negotiate terms, and analyze performance. Build relationships with new artists/suppliers. 

• Oversee online and onsite POS for admissions, sales, and program registration.

• Partner with the Director of Exhibitions & Collections on interpretive content and the in-gallery visitor experience.

Site & Operations

• Oversee visitor operations at both museum sites and coordinate with key team members on scheduling, staffing, programs, and facility logistics.

• Coordinate with facilities and operations staff to support interpretive technology.

Institutional Leadership

• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team; participate in strategic planning, budget development, and board presentations as needed.

• Represent the museum at community events, tourism partnerships, and professional associations.

• Collaborate with Advancement on program promotion, content, and audience development.

Qualifications

Required

• 5 years of progressive experience in museum education, public programming, or visitor experience, with at least 3 years in a management role.

• Demonstrated experience managing earned revenue — admissions, shop sales, ticketed programs, or events — with measurable results.

• Experience with principles of collaborative, community-centered museum practice.

• Strong organizational and budget management skills; comfort with financial reporting and data analysis.

• Proven ability to supervise and develop staff in a team-oriented environment.

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal; comfortable representing the institution publicly.

Preferred

• Experience in a small-to-mid-size museum ($500k–$2M operating budget) where staff wear multiple hats.

• Experience working with, and demonstrated respect for, Indigenous communities.

• Knowledge of Wabanaki history, cultures, and communities, or Indigenous communities.

• Familiarity with point of sale systems (e.g., Shopkeep, Lightspeed) and basic visitor data tools.

• Experience in seasonal or tourism-dependent operations.

Application Instructions

We will be accepting applications until the position is filled. To apply, please email a cover letter,  resume, and contact information of two references to: 

Jill Sawyer, Deputy Director

search@abbemuseum.org