Program Production Associate
La Jolla, CA
Full Time
Operations
Mid Level
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego: Program Production Associate
Department: Operations
Reports to: Senior Director, Operations
Employee Status: Full-time, Non-exempt
Primary Work Location: La Jolla
Pay Range: $24.62 to $25.92 / hour
Apply By: COB, August 14th, 2026
JOB SUMMARY: The Program Production Associate is responsible for coordinating and facilitating high impact programming and events with a focus on public programs and community partnerships. Working across the museum with the Curatorial, Events, Earned Revenue, Visitor Engagement, and Marketing Communications teams, this position will plan communication and collaboration with community partners, artists, vendors, and staff to enhance the overall visitor experience through cross-disciplinary engagement. The position supports the mission, vision, and values of the Museum throughout the performance of duties.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE: Proficient knowledge of event production, internal and external communications, administrative coordination, and creating a high-quality visitor experience. Conversant in digital modes of programming, as well as content delivery and social media platforms. Creative and collaborative thinker who can offer new ideas, frame challenges, highlight opportunities, and provide practical solutions. Experience in implementing strategic initiatives with a focus on community partnerships, visitor experience, and programming with audience-driven outcomes. Strong project management skills. Strong knowledge of contemporary art and visual culture. Strong interpersonal and soft skills with the ability to maintain professional decorum, confidentiality, and effectively communicate with all levels of employees, vendors, consultants, and artists. Ability to ensure a positive representation of the Museum in regular communications with staff and stakeholders. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations. Strong technical skills, including MS Office. Bachelor’s degree and three years recent, relevant experience in programming, production, operations, visitor experience, or other related fields in an arts, culture, and/or nonprofit environment, or any combination of equivalent education and experience.
OUR WORK CULTURE: The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) provides employees with a collaborative work culture where they can combine both their love and support of the arts and work in an enriching and diverse environment, while further developing their specific professional knowledge, skills, and abilities.
ABOUT MCASD: It is an exciting time to join MCASD! Our La Jolla campus re-opened in April 2022 after a five-year expansion effort that doubled the building’s overall size. We are positioned to be a cultural beacon as the region’s foremost forum devoted to the exploration and presentation of the art of our time. Beautifully located on the coast, MCASD provides an unprecedented variety of exhibition spaces and experiences for the community, showcasing an internationally recognized collection and a dynamic schedule of exhibitions and public programs.
BACKGROUND CHECKS: Professional references, education check, and consumer background checks.
EOE STATEMENT: MCASD prohibits discrimination and harassment against individuals based on race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, covered veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Department: Operations
Reports to: Senior Director, Operations
Employee Status: Full-time, Non-exempt
Primary Work Location: La Jolla
Pay Range: $24.62 to $25.92 / hour
Apply By: COB, August 14th, 2026
JOB SUMMARY: The Program Production Associate is responsible for coordinating and facilitating high impact programming and events with a focus on public programs and community partnerships. Working across the museum with the Curatorial, Events, Earned Revenue, Visitor Engagement, and Marketing Communications teams, this position will plan communication and collaboration with community partners, artists, vendors, and staff to enhance the overall visitor experience through cross-disciplinary engagement. The position supports the mission, vision, and values of the Museum throughout the performance of duties.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- In collaboration with the Education and Curatorial teams, produce public programs; manage event operations and provide analysis and evaluation of audience engagement and attendance.
- In collaboration with the Events and Earned Revenue teams, contribute to the development of and implement operations for public programming, including but not limited to lectures, symposia, and convenings; screenings, readings, and festivals; and workshops and cross-disciplinary performances.
- Facilitate contracts and payments from vendors regarding programming.
- Work closely with the Museum managers and internal stakeholders, including but not limited to the Marketing Communications, Database, Membership, and Earned Revenue teams, to report information for tracking, reporting, and communicating critical program data.
- Manage and evaluate program budgets and ticketing to ensure Museum programming is effectively utilizing Museum resources and partnerships to keep costs within budget and generating revenue when appropriate.
- Understand and work within Museum protocols and partnerships to ensure both the Museum and its partners have positive experiences.
- Partner with Marketing Communications and other applicable departments to ensure timely and ongoing promotion of programs.
- Collaborate cross-departmentally to develop strategies to drive MCASD’s audience growth, cultivate visitor loyalty, and enhance MCASD’s reputation and contribution to the value of community and overall visitor experience. Continuously monitor program data and utilize assessments of programs to feed back into visitor experience.
- Identify, build, and sustain meaningful relationships that foster engagement, trust, and collaboration between the Museum and like-minded organizations, communities, and artists.
- Follow policies and procedures to ensure a safe work environment.
- Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE: Proficient knowledge of event production, internal and external communications, administrative coordination, and creating a high-quality visitor experience. Conversant in digital modes of programming, as well as content delivery and social media platforms. Creative and collaborative thinker who can offer new ideas, frame challenges, highlight opportunities, and provide practical solutions. Experience in implementing strategic initiatives with a focus on community partnerships, visitor experience, and programming with audience-driven outcomes. Strong project management skills. Strong knowledge of contemporary art and visual culture. Strong interpersonal and soft skills with the ability to maintain professional decorum, confidentiality, and effectively communicate with all levels of employees, vendors, consultants, and artists. Ability to ensure a positive representation of the Museum in regular communications with staff and stakeholders. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations. Strong technical skills, including MS Office. Bachelor’s degree and three years recent, relevant experience in programming, production, operations, visitor experience, or other related fields in an arts, culture, and/or nonprofit environment, or any combination of equivalent education and experience.
OUR WORK CULTURE: The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) provides employees with a collaborative work culture where they can combine both their love and support of the arts and work in an enriching and diverse environment, while further developing their specific professional knowledge, skills, and abilities.
ABOUT MCASD: It is an exciting time to join MCASD! Our La Jolla campus re-opened in April 2022 after a five-year expansion effort that doubled the building’s overall size. We are positioned to be a cultural beacon as the region’s foremost forum devoted to the exploration and presentation of the art of our time. Beautifully located on the coast, MCASD provides an unprecedented variety of exhibition spaces and experiences for the community, showcasing an internationally recognized collection and a dynamic schedule of exhibitions and public programs.
BACKGROUND CHECKS: Professional references, education check, and consumer background checks.
EOE STATEMENT: MCASD prohibits discrimination and harassment against individuals based on race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, covered veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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