Careers

Considering a Museum Career?

Unlock your passion and join us at the #1 Western Museum in the United States, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. Explore exciting career opportunities that blend art, history, and culture to preserve and showcase the vibrant heritage of the Southwest.

Position: Graphic Designer

Type: Full time

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West – A 501(c)(3) non-profit

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is a premier, award-winning cultural institution situated in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona. Established in January 2015, the Museum resides on the historic grounds of the Loloma Transit Station (N Marshall Way and E 1st St). With a sprawling two-story layout encompassing 43,000 square feet with a 12,000 square expansion soon to open, the Museum showcases the art, culture, and rich history spanning 19 states in the American West, Western Canada, and Mexico. Former Scottsdale mayor Herb Drinkwater (1936-97), who served from 1980-1996, envisioned the Museum, which became a reality through the City of Scottsdale’s ownership and the dedicated operation by Scottsdale Museum of the West, Inc., a non-profit organization established in 2007.

OUR MISSION

Scottsdale’s Museum of the West boldly immerses guests in the unique story of the Greater Western region, illuminating the past to better shape our future.

POSITION SUMMARY

We’re seeking a creative Graphic Designer to support the rebranding efforts of elevating the Museum’s visual storytelling and brand perception across every audience touchpoint. This role will design day-to-day digital and print materials that reflect the excellence, vibrancy, and educational mission of the Museum.
You’ll collaborate closely with marketing agency partners, curatorial, development, and education teams to inspire connection— from campaigns and exhibitions to donor communications and educational initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Brand Management

  • Uphold the museum’s visual identity across platforms, ensuring consistency, clarity, and inspiration in all materials.
  • Elevate the museum’s design system and templates to ensure everything we produce reflects excellence and purpose.

Creative Execution

  • Design digital and print assets including ad campaigns, campaign graphics, exhibition signage (as needed), social media and email graphics, donor communications, invitations, brochures, and education collateral.
  • Format and publish creative assets directly to social media platforms, WordPress, and email marketing tools.
  • Partner with the marketing team to support content-driven campaigns and initiatives that enhance awareness, attendance, and fundraising.

Cross-Team Collaboration

  • Work closely with Education, Curatorial, Fundraising, and external partners to bring programs and initiatives to life through design.
  • Translate ideas into clear, accessible, and emotionally resonant visual narratives.
  • Provide creative support to staff requesting design needs, ensuring brand alignment.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Bachelor’s degree in design/visual arts or equivalent experience
  • 3–5 years of professional graphic design experience, preferably in arts, culture, nonprofit, or education
  • Strong design portfolio demonstrating versatility across mediums
  • Expert in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Expert in social media platforms, WordPress, and email marketing tools
  • Comfortable working in a collaborative environment and managing multiple projects with varying timelines
  • A creative thinker with a keen eye for detail, typography, and emotional impact
  • Knowledge of print production and web/digital design best practices
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to multitask and collaborate with a diverse team and vendor partners
  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.

WORK SCHEDULE

This is a full-time, on-site position located at the Museum’s headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ.  The work schedule is generally Monday-Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm; however, a flexible work schedule or additional work hours may be necessary to meet the requirements of this job position.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL/SENSORY DEMANDS

The work environment is a climate-controlled art Museum with display galleries, standard offices, Museum shop, and other non-public spaces. Work is performed almost entirely indoors with occasional time in outdoor event spaces.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to receive oral and written instructions in English and to clearly communicate in English in person, over the telephone, through email and through other electronic means. The employee is required to move about their work area and stand and/or sit for extended periods of time and may occasionally move between galleries and storage areas.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with different abilities to perform the essential functions to the extent the Western Spirit may do so without undue hardship. The term “qualified individual with different abilities” means an individual who with or without reasonable accommodation can perform the essential functions of the position.

BENEFITS

The Museum provides a comprehensive program of benefits that includes:

  • Paid time-off and holidays
  • Medical, dental & vision insurance
  • Short Term/Long Term Disability insurances
  • Retirement Plan

INTERESTED APPLICANTS

We are committed to an inclusive workplace and actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.Please send a resume and cover letter addressed to Shannon Barrett, Director of Human Resources and Finance at sbarrett@westernspirit.org.  Submissions will be reviewed and considered as received.

 

Position: Weekend Guest Services Associate

Type: Part time

POSITION SUMMARY

We are looking for highly organized candidates with excellent communication skills for the position of Guest Services Associate.  Guest Services Associates are responsible for providing front desk and retail services to guests, undertaking various administrative duties.

The ideal Guest Services Associate will have tremendous enthusiasm while greeting guests upon arrival and making them feel welcomed.  They will facilitate retail sales, admission to the Museum, event and membership sales and answer inquiries for information regarding the Museum’s mission, history exhibits, events and programs.  Availability needed daytime including weekends and occasional evenings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Provide extraordinary customer service to guests in person, online and over the phone.
  • Process retail sales, general admissions, membership sales, and donations to the Museum in person and over the phone.
  • Perform Museum store and front desk opening and closing functions.
  • Handle cash and credit card transactions.
  • Assist with restocking, cleaning, and merchandising in the Museum store and inventory storage areas.
  • Coordinate with staff management.
  • Provide information to guests on various matters such as exhibitions, membership, and local area information.
  • Diffuse conflict or tense situations with guests.
  • Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • High school diploma or GED
  • Customer service and cash handling experience preferredExceptional interpersonal skills
  •  Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Good time management and organizational skills in a seasonally high volume, fast-paced work environment
  • Patience and good listening skills
  • Ticketing System (Tessitura) experience preferred (training available
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and some holidays and evenings, as needed
  • Passion for customer service, museums, art, history (preferred)

WORK SCHEDULE

The Museum is open 6-7 days per week, depending on the season. Part-time schedule will include weekends but for remaining hours negotiable based on mutual need. Flexibility to work weekend and occasional evening hours due to events or evening hours the Museum is offering is required.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL/SENSORY DEMANDS

The work environment is a climate-controlled art museum with display galleries, standard offices, museum shop, and other non-public spaces. Work is performed almost entirely indoors.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to receive oral and written instructions in English and to clearly communicate in English in person, over the telephone, through emailand through other electronic means. The employee is required to move about their work area, between galleries and storage areas, ascend and descend stairs; and stand and/or sit for extended periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to lift, drag and/or move up to 30 pounds unassisted. The employee is required to identify, observe, and assess visually and comply with Museum health and safety-related protocols.  Some local travel may be required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with different abilities to perform the essential functions to the extent the Western Spirit may do so without undue hardship. The term “qualified individual with different abilities” means an individual who with or without reasonable accommodation can perform the essential functions of the position.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS

We are committed to an inclusive workplace and actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy),sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Please send a resume and cover letter addressed to Shannon Barrett, Director of Human Resources and Finance at sbarrett@westernspirit.org.  Submissions will be reviewed and considered as received.