Lead Engagement Guide

Who We Are

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs.

It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..edu

The UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art is a newly unified museum that brings together the academic depth of UC Irvine with the public presence of a major regional art institution. Led by Museum Director Kathryn Kanjo, the museum brings together two renowned institutions under a shared vision of public access, scholarship, and meaningful cultural engagement across Orange County and beyond.

The museum cares for a collection of more than 9,000 works tracing California art from the nineteenth century to today. As the museum moves toward a single, consolidated home, its work will be centered in the 53,000-square-foot public-facing building in Costa Mesa designed for exhibitions, programs, and community gathering—bringing together education, research, and public engagement under one roof.

As part of the University of California, the UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art connects artists, students, scholars, and the public through exhibitions, programs, and collaborations that spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and inspire connection. The museum is entering an exciting new chapter, guided by a vision of curatorial excellence, accessibility, and service to the region's vibrant cultural landscape.

The Lead Engagement Guide plays a vital role in supporting the daily operations of the museum while ensuring an exceptional experience for every visitor. Under the guidance of the Director of Learning and Engagement this position is responsible for managing staff postings, coordinating break schedules, and facilitating smooth rotations between gallery and desk positions. The role also involves relaying daily updates to staff to maintain consistent public messaging and collaborating with appropriate departments as needed to support seamless operations.

This position serves as a welcoming ambassador for the museum, greeting and orienting visitors at the front desk and in galleries, facilitating meaningful conversations around current and upcoming artists and exhibitions, and highlighting museum programs, tours, and special events.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, active listening, critical thinking. The ability to multi-task and good time management and organization skills.
• Interpersonal and work leadership skills and experience to provide guidance to other non-exempt personnel.
• Knowledge and experience of hospitality and customer services best practices and strong interpersonal skills to ensure every visitor has a positive, welcoming, and memorable experience.
• Interest and knowledge of art, art history and/or museum collections and exhibitions
• High school diploma or equivalent experience
• 2-3 Years experience.

• Familiarity with museum policies, ticketing/POS systems, and daily operational workflows to keep the visitor experience running smoothly and efficiently.
• Experience in calmly resolving visitor complaints, staff conflicts, and unexpected operational challenges with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures, ADA accessibility standards, and cultural competency to create a safe and inclusive environment for all visitors and staff.
• Undergraduate degree in art, history, or a related field

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to stand and/or…