Public Programs Manager

Full Time

Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm, with nights and weekends as needed.

$45,000-$55,000

Ongoing year-round position.

The Public Programs Manager leads the planning, execution, and growth of Preservation Utah's public-facing programs, tours, and volunteer engagement. This position is responsible for the quality, accessibility, and community impact of Preservation Utah's historic homes tours, building tours, educational programs, and digital program platforms, ensuring all programming reflects the organization's preservation mission, storytelling goals, and commitment to inclusive community engagement.

Historic Homes Tours

• Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of Preservation Utah's annual historic homes tours, including spring and fall neighborhood tours
• Manage all logistics, including site coordination, volunteer guides, marketing support, and day-of operations
• Develop and maintain tour content that reflects Preservation Utah's educational mission, storytelling goals, and advocacy priorities
• Ensure tours are accessible, welcoming, and representative of diverse communities and neighborhoods across the region

Building & Site Tours

• Serve as staff lead for tours hosted at key historic sites statewide, including the Utah Governor's Mansion, the McCune Mansion, the Salt Lake City and County Building, and additional partner locations with an active responsibility to identify and develop new tour sites and partnerships across Utah's diverse communities and regions
• Cultivate relationships with property stewards, historic site managers, preservation partners, and community organizations statewide to expand Preservation Utah's tour and program footprint
• Coordinate logistics with site partners, property stewards, and internal staff
• Lead coordination of school tours and youth-focused educational programs, including scheduling, site coordination, guide preparation, and age-appropriate interpretation

Volunteer Engagement

• Oversee volunteer recruitment, placement, training, and scheduling across all programs
• Serve as staff liaison to the Volunteer Council
• Cultivate meaningful volunteer experiences and recognition efforts
• Maintain and grow an active roster of trained volunteer guides, managing scheduling, availability, and placement across all tour and program needs
• Ensure volunteer capacity keeps pace with program growth and expanding tour locations

Digital Programs & Tour App

• Oversee Preservation Utah's digital programs and public-facing educational content as an extension of in-person programming
• Lead and manage the Tour App as a core digital program and storytelling platform, including content development, updates, quality control, and long-term planning
• Lead and coordinate community submissions to the Tour App, including outreach, intake, review, and integration of contributed content
• Collaborate with staff, volunteers, historians, and community partners to ensure content accuracy, interpretive quality, and alignment with preservation goals
• Monitor usage, feedback, and performance to inform ongoing improvements and future tour development
• Ensure digital program content reflects preservation standards, inclusive storytelling, and organizational values

Program Planning & Evaluation

• Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of all assigned public programs
• Coordinate logistics, schedules, staffing, and program timelines
• Track program participation, outcomes, and feedback
• Support the development and monitoring of budgets for assigned programs
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to compile program reporting
• Ground all tour content, educational programming, and digital platform materials in thorough historic research, using primary sources, archival materials, and community knowledge to ensure accuracy, depth, and inclusive storytelling

Preservation Utah is the only nonprofit in the state focused on historic preservation. We work in all 29 counties to protect, celebrate, and advocate for the places that shape Utah's communities.

The Public Programs Manager leads the way in helping Preservation Utah share history with the public. This person oversees the quality, accessibility, and impact of our historic home tours, building and site tours, school and youth programs, volunteer guide network, and digital platforms, including the Tour App. The manager ensures every program is grounded in solid research, tells inclusive stories, and truly connects people with the historic places around them.

This job is for someone who knows that public programming is more than just managing details. It is about building trust, reaching new audiences, and showing why preservation is important. The Public Programs Manager will expand our tours and partnerships across Utah, build a strong volunteer community, and make sure our digital presence matches the quality of our in-person work. This role calls for creativity, strong organizational skills, and genuine respect for the communities whose stories we share.

• You should have at least 2 to 3 years of experience in public programming, community education, tour or event coordination, volunteer management, or a similar area. We also consider a mix of education and experience instead of a formal degree.
• You have experience planning and running public programs or events from start to finish, including evaluating their success.
• You are organized and can handle multiple programs, schedules, and logistics simultaneously.
• You have recruited, trained, scheduled, and supported volunteers or docents.
• You communicate well in writing and in person, and you know how to connect with different public audiences in educational settings.
• You value research integrity and can base tour content and educational programs on primary sources, trusted scholarship, and community knowledge.
• You are comfortable using digital platforms, content management systems, and program databases, and you are open to learning new tools.
• It helps if you know about historic preservation, architectural history, or Utah history.
• Experience with digital tour platforms, audio guides, or similar public educational tools is a plus.
• Experience creating educational programs for youth or schools is preferred.
• A background in inclusive storytelling and community-focused interpretation is valued.
• Experience building partnerships with historic sites, cultural institutions, or community organizations.

• This position is hybrid, with a mix of in-office and remote workdays. Preservation Utah offers flexible scheduling and is committed to supporting a healthy work-life balance.
• You are expected to be regularly present at Memorial House and attend organizational events, tours, and community activities in person.
• Travel throughout Utah is required to support the expansion of tours and programs statewide.
• Work often takes place outside of standard office hours, including evenings and weekends.

Send resume and cover letter introducing yourself to Brandy Strand, director@preservationutah.org