Department Assistant, Architecture and Design

This is a unionized position at MoMA with covered employees represented by Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO.

About the role

The Department Assistant performs a variety of administrative duties specific to a curatorial department, including coordinating with internal Museum departments such as Exhibition Planning and Administration, Accounting, and Information Technology. The incumbent works closely with and supports two curators in the Department of Architecture and Design, reporting to the curators and Department Manager.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates all communications, scheduling, travel, and accounting procedures for assigned curators.
• Manages heavy focus on coordinating travel and logistical arrangements for curators and monthly accounting reconciliation for corporate credit cards.
• Completes special administrative assignments as directed by curators and Department Manager.
• Acts as general assistant to the department (mail, reception, responses to inquiries via Museum website or telephone, invoicing, office supplies, placing orders, meeting room schedule).
• Answers queries that come through the department’s general telephone line, mail, and email.
• Maintains general orderliness of department common spaces, study center, and supply closets.
• Gathers data from various sources for use by supervisor or relevant staff, including collection database, library catalog, and Internet research.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, fine art, design, architecture, museum studies, non-profit management, or related field with two to three years administrative experience relevant to the position or equivalent.
• Superior judgment, professional initiative, and strong verbal communication capabilities.
• Interest and/or background in architecture or design preferred.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with the Google platform (Gmail, Google Calendar, Google docs and sheets, and Google Meet), Zoom for scheduling virtual meetings, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to take direction and work as part of a team.
• Ability to be proactive and to take initiative in creative problem-solving.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills.
• Pleasant phone manner and ability to effectively interact with and manage relationships with external parties who support the department.

Schedule

On-site presence is required five days a week during the 90-day initial employment period. Thereafter the schedule is four days per week onsite, subject to change at management’s discretion, with the understanding that some weeks on-site presence five days a week will be required.

Pay

The salary for this position is $61,800 (gross) per annum.