Head of Learning and Community Engagement (Community Outreach Manager I)

Posting Number: req18272

Department: Ctr for Creative Photography

Location: Main Campus

Address: Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The Center for Creative Photography (CCP) at the University of Arizona seeks a dynamic, inclusive, creative, and collaborative Head of Learning and Community Engagement.

A collaborative member of CCP’s leadership team and reporting to the Director, this position sets the strategic vision for a department that oversees programming, engagement, and outreach both for the university community as well as the public. The department consists of a team of full- and part-time staff responsible for developing and supervising class and campus engagements, community programs, content strategies for marketing and outreach, and CCP’s social media platforms. The Head of Learning and Community Engagement is a spokesperson and advocate for the institution, and actively deepens and promotes institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at CCP and in collaboration with Arizona Arts and CCP’s various constituencies. This position strategically advances new possibilities for interdisciplinary intersections with photography at CCP, and works with local, national, and international colleagues and stakeholders to elevate the profile of the institution and its mission, collections, exhibitions, and academic and community projects. The incumbent is responsible for designing and supporting fiscally sound departmental operations with sustainable initiatives, effective workflows, and a vibrant work culture.

Celebrating 50 years in 2025, the Center for Creative Photography is the largest institution in North America devoted to the research and exhibition of photography. At the heart of the CCP’s holdings are more than 250 archives of photographers, scholars, galleries, and organizations (comprising some 9 million items) complemented by an unparalleled collection of more than 100,000 fine prints. In addition, CCP focuses on preservation and stewardship through a robust conservation program and digital imaging unit. The Center owns and manages copyrights for a selection of the archive artists and supports licensing and image file delivery to publishers, authors, educators, and filmmakers worldwide. A unit of Arizona Arts at the University of Arizona, CCP expands the history of photography by honoring the ideals of its founders while reacting to the present moment.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Administration

• Builds and mentors a collegial departmental team responsible for specific aspects of this work that works collaboratively and across the institution.
• Oversees recruitment, training, development, and performance evaluations for professional and student staff.
• Sets departmental priorities, goals, workflows, meetings, schedules, and strategic directions.
• Plays a lead role in long-range institutional planning efforts, including planning for CCP’s 50th anniversary year in 2025.
• Proactively collaborates with other CCP departments to advance cross-institutional convergence.
• Grows and executes strategic approaches and connections with constituencies, including but not limited to students, faculty/educators, and community partners.
• Oversees all departmental budgets and works closely with CCP’s Director, Arizona Arts’ Business Office, and the Learning and Engagement team to provide sound and sustainable fiscal leadership for the department.
• Establishes and manages online and in-person master calendars for learning and community engagements.
• Provides strategic vision for how the museum’s physical spaces, online presence, and personnel create a welcoming experience and promote social and intellectual participation by all audiences.

Program Development, Collaboration, and Implementation 

• Directs the overall program of learning and engagement initiatives at CCP and related marketing efforts, determining priorities for the Center in conjunction with the Director.
• Leads and evaluates a wide spectrum of community practices-from in-person to digital engagements-in order to deepen mutual and inclusive community relationships with the institution.
• Oversees academic outreach and learning initiatives at CCP in alignment with the University of Arizona’s commitment to student success, including but not limited to class and student engagements, educator workshops, print viewings, gallery education, life-long learning curricula, and other academic programs.
• Contributes significantly to training of CCP’s public facing staff to ensure all visitors feel they belong at the Center.
• Promotes knowledge of CCP and its programs through writing, teaching, and public speaking.
• Serves on institutional acquisition committees.
• Builds and maintains campus, local, national, and international relationships, partnerships, and collaborations.
• Works collaboratively with CCP staff to design, implement, and foster new approaches to building relevant content across CCP’s social media platforms. Approves content for online, social media, and printed materials.

Service and Development

• Leads department’s overall convergence within CCP, Arizona Arts, University of Arizona, and the Phoenix Art Museum.
• Creates and collaborates in extra-departmental and University-wide projects, committees, and service to the Center for Creative Photography.
• Identifies potential sources of funding in collaboration with CCP leadership and Arizona Arts philanthropy team, building relationships with foundations, sponsors, and institutional partners, and preparing materials for internal and external grants.
• Stewards donor and other stakeholder relationships, working closely with CCP’s director and other leadership positions and Arizona Arts’ philanthropy team.

Continuing Education

• Maintains and contributes to knowledge of best practices and current developments in the field.
• Represents CCP as assigned at professional conferences and continues professional development through committee participation, writing for exhibitions, publications, workshops, seminars, and/or conference presentations.
• Performs other duties as needed.

Knowledge,
Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in developing programs and exhibitions engaging a broad public, and for the academic community in particular.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate across organizational structures. Knowlege with project and budget management, marketing, communications, and digital initiatives.
• Thorough knowledge of the history of photography.
• Strong project management, supervisory, and conflict resolution skills.
• Exceptional skills as writer, copywriter, editor, and presenter with an ability to deliver content to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrable ability in innovative thinking and solution-driven decision making.
• Familiarity with current best practices in the museum field, especially academic institutions.
• Familiarity with the visual arts, nationally and internationally, through research, networking, and attending exhibitions.
• Possess the drive and determination to work within a fast-moving environment, delivering within restricted time, space, and financial resources.
• Ability to work with a diversity of age groups, learning styles, educational needs, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to form mutually respectful, trusting, and effective relationships with a diverse group of staff, community members, leaders, and decision makers.
• Strong computer skills: expert facility with spreadsheets, word processing, file-sharing platforms, and presentation software; basic graphic design skills a plus; competency in social media applications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, education, museum studies, public humanities, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of related work experience, including 2 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in art history, education, museum studies, public humanities, or related discipline.
• Experience in higher education, museums, or cultural heritage institutions.
• Experience in community-building through research, collaborations, and partnerships.
• Experience in arts-based programming with experience in object-centered teaching.
• Related teaching and curricula development experience in higher education.
• Experience in interdisciplinary curation and participatory design.
• Working proficiency in Spanish.

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40

Job FTE: 1.00

Work Calendar: Fiscal

Job Category: Arts and Creative Services

Benefits Eligible: Yes – Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: DOE

Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade

9

Career Stream and Level

M1

Job Family

Cmty Outreach

Job Function

Outreach & Community Engage

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Contact Information for Candidates

Leigh Grissom

grissomla@arizona.edu

Registrar/Collections Management Professional

Open Until Filled: Yes

Documents Needed to Apply: Resume and Cover Letter

Diversity Statement

At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.