Operations Support Manager, Cultural Services

Position Summary

The Operations Support Manager, Cultural Services supervises assigned staff and coordinates day-to-day museum and cultural-service delivery, museum facility operations and collections access to provide accessible programs, protect cultural resources and support positive resident and visitor experiences. The position oversees assigned museum programming, exhibitions, education, outreach and visitor services and coordinates approved public-art and cultural initiatives.

Reporting to the Service Area Manager, Culture and Tourism Services, the position implements approved service priorities through team work plans, scheduling, staff coaching and operational coordination. The role supervises three full-time staff, monitors service results and assigned resources, resolves issues within delegated authority, and provides information and recommendations to the Service Area Manager while collaborating with cultural partners, specialist staff, accountable City service areas and the Operations Support Manager, Tourism and Events.

Key Responsibilities

1. Service, Program & Operational Leadership

· Coordinate assigned museum and cultural programs, exhibitions, education, outreach and visitor services, and collaborate with the Operations Support Manager, Tourism and Events on approved joint initiatives and visitor experiences to deliver cultural services without assuming responsibility for destination marketing, tourism planning or the broader City event portfolio.

· Develop and implement team work plans, schedules and operational procedures that deliver the priorities, standards and measures the Service Area

Manager establishes within approved plans and resources.

· Monitor attendance, established service measures, community feedback and cultural-sector trends to evaluate operational results and provide service-improvement recommendations and planning input to the Service Area Manager.

· Resolve operational barriers and service gaps within approved scope to support accessible, inclusive and responsive services for residents and visitors.

2. Museum Operations & Collections Stewardship

· Manage the operation of the Peterborough Museum & Archives, Heritage Pavilion and Fleming Annex, including associated service agreements, maintenance, security systems, custodial services, grounds maintenance, snow removal and contractor coordination.

· Provide operational input on Museum policies and plans to the Service Area Manager, develop and implement procedures within approved direction to support consistent practices, compliance requirements and professional standards.

· Coordinate day-to-day museum activities with assigned collections, conservation and archival staff to implement approved access, documentation, handling, security and care procedures for museum and archival collections, including designated National Cultural Property; refer specialized matters and exceptions to the accountable specialist and Service Area Manager.

· Coordinate operational requirements associated with the Fleming College Museum Management and Curatorship Program partnership, including partnership agreements, facility and collections access, placements, project support and relationship management.

3. Public Art Program & Project Support

· Implement assigned actions under the approved Public Art Strategy and provide operational results and input to the Service Area Manager to support program monitoring and strategy renewal.

· Coordinate assigned public-art project activities, including schedules, artist and cultural partner communication, documentation, installation arrangements and maintenance follow-up, within approved project scope, budgets and procurement processes to achieve planned outcomes.

· Coordinate assigned artist and consultant selection, commissioning, procurement and contract documentation through fair, transparent City processes, and refer proposed acquisitions and commitments to the Service Area Manager and applicable approval authorities.

· Provide operational public-art information and recommendations to the Service Area Manager and technical information to City staff, artists, community organizations, the public, Council and advisory committees as assigned to support coordinated project delivery and informed decisions.

Key Responsibilities Continued

4. People Leadership & Workforce Coordination

· Supervise three assigned employees (two Curatorial Coordinators and one Visitor Services Coordinator) and provide leadership to support the delivery of museum operations, exhibitions, visitor services and cultural programming.

· Assign work priorities, coordinate schedules and operational coverage, monitor service delivery and work quality, and provide coaching, guidance and feedback to support employee development, accountability and continuous improvement. Apply City policies and applicable collective agreements in day-to-day supervision and workforce coordination, including attendance management, scheduling, training and performance support.

· Retain employment-related management accountability for seasonal staff and volunteers supporting museum operations, exhibitions, programs and visitor services, and support the Visitor Services Coordinator in the day-to-day operational leadership of designated staff.

· Collaborate with the Archivist and Preventive Conservation Officer on operational matters related to exhibitions, collections access, facility requirements, public programming and service delivery.

· Share responsibility through a rotating on-call schedule for 24/7 emergency response, security alarm response, business continuity and disaster preparedness activities for museum facilities, collections and related assets, responding to after-hours operational, facility, security and collections-related incidents.

5. Collaborator Relationships & Cultural Partnerships

· Build and maintain relationships with artists, cultural and heritage organizations, tourism partners, community groups, educational institutions, businesses, donors, sponsors, funders and government agencies to support cultural services and community participation.

· Maintain day-to-day relationships with assigned cultural and educational partners, coordinate approved activities and deliverables, monitor outcomes and value for money, and refer proposed agreements, funding commitments and material changes to the Service Area Manager.

· Prepare operational information, analysis and draft recommendations for the Service Area Manager’s review, provide technical information to Council and advisory bodies as assigned, and follow up on approved actions where required.

· Facilitate sector dialogue, knowledge exchange and capacity building, and support Museum outreach, promotion and media relations in accordance with City communication policies.

6. Resource Stewardship, Service Quality & Compliance

· Prepare budget estimates and operational resource requests, monitor assigned program and project expenditures and applicable revenues, explain variances and recommend corrective action to the Service Area Manager to support approved service delivery.

· Coordinate procurement, contract administration, facility requirements and public-art maintenance with accountable City areas through approved processes, exercising purchasing or expenditure authority only within formally delegated limits.

· Apply applicable legislation, professional museum standards, City policies and approved plans to cultural service delivery, and escalate compliance, safety, collections-security and reputational risks requiring further direction.

· Evaluate operational procedures, program results and community partner feedback to recommend improvements in service quality, accessibility, resource use and risk controls.

Education and Experience

Required Qualifications

· Post-secondary diploma or degree in Museum Studies, Cultural Management, Arts Administration, Heritage Studies, Public Administration or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.

· A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in museum operations, cultural programming, heritage services, arts administration or a comparable public-facing service environment, including at least one year of supervisory or team leadership experience.

· Demonstrated experience coordinating programs, projects, staff, budgets and day-to-day operations, including assigning work, supporting employee performance and maintaining service standards.

· Working knowledge of museum collections management, archival practices, conservation principles and public-art administration, including the application of relevant policies, procedures and professional standards.

· Experience working collaboratively with community organizations, educational institutions, service providers and other collaborators to support programs and service delivery.

Asset Qualifications

· Postgraduate degree or graduate certificate in related discipline is strongly preferred.

· Experience in a municipal government, publicly operated museum or comparable cultural institution.

· Experience supporting exhibitions, public-art projects, cultural tourism initiatives or community events.

· Experience supporting grants, sponsorships, funding agreements or cultural partnerships.

· Current Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL), or eligibility to obtain one under the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code, is considered an asset for supporting the safe handling and security of firearms and weapons in museum collections.

· Valid Ontario driver's licence to support travel between City facilities, cultural venues, public-art locations and community events.

Compensation

Non-Union Job Class 5

$113,539-$123,012

Advertisement Closing Date

Friday, November 27, 2026 at 11:59pm

Accommodation Needs and Protection of Privacy

The City of Peterborough is an organization that strives to embrace the spirit of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and barrier-free environment in which all individuals have access to the City's goods, services, and facilities. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise People and Culture if you require an accommodation.

The personal information submitted for employment is collected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used to determine eligibility for employment. We thank you for your application but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.