Careers

Photo: Andrew Waits
Photo: Andrew Waits

Join the Burke team

When you work at the Burke, you get to help others learn more about the natural and cultural world—and do plenty of learning yourself. There’s always something new to experience!

You also join the University of Washington (UW) community. UW values its people as one of the most important assets in its pursuit of excellence in education, research and community service. UW staff not only enjoy outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Find out about open employment positions below or consider getting involved through one of our volunteering opportunities.

staff and volunteers line the stairs of the new burke
Photo: Sven Haakanson/Burke Museum
Photo: Sven Haakanson/Burke Museum

Employment Opportunities

Employment at the Burke Museum is managed by the University of Washington. Career positions offer competitive benefits, including medical and dental insurance, museum membership, and a tuition exemption program. To learn more, visit the UW Benefits & Work/Life page

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Details for current openings may be found on the University of Washington's employment page.

Employment at UW

Current Openings

Director of Development

The Director of Development, in collaboration with and reporting jointly to the Executive Director as well as the Senior Director for Special Initiatives in CAS Advancement, is responsible for strategic leadership and management of the museum’s fundraising program including: major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, fundraising events, capital and endowment campaigns. The Director of Development serves as the BURKE Museum’s senior major gifts officer, responsible for overseeing the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of the museum’s donors.

Apply now
 

Finance and HR Administrator

The Finance & HR administrator oversees all aspects of finance, accounting, and human resources for the Burke Museum.  This position is responsible for managing UW and non-profit BMA accounting and financial reporting, development of multi-year budgets and cash flow projections, participation in strategic and business planning, and supervision of the accounting staff. Further, this position provides strategic leadership regarding staffing and overall staff management. This position acts in leadership and supervisory roles to support the museum's Executive Director in all financial and human resources matters related to growth and development of the institution.

Apply now
 

Membership Manager

We are seeking a community-focused, process-minded person to welcome new members and deepen existing membership relationships as part of the Burke Visitor Experience. Now settled into our new space, the Membership Manager has the opportunity to refine the Member program in response to visitor and staff feedback.

Reporting to the Director of Visitor Experience (VEXP), this position works closely with other VEXP teams (Burke Store, Visitor Services and Private Events) in addition to collaborating with departments throughout the museum. The Membership Manager is responsible for an annual membership program that encourages visitors to progress from a one-time ticket buyer to a member, donor, and Burke enthusiast. This includes a robust on-site sales program, member events, program development and proactively proposing ideas to energize profitability while supporting the Burke’s mission.

Apply now

Museum Educator — BurkeMobile

Under the general supervision of the BurkeMobile Program Manager, the Museum Educator for BurkeMobile is responsible for the delivery of a variety of educational programs designed to bring Burke educators and resources to schools and organizations throughout Washington State. Audiences served by these programs include PreK-12th grade students, teachers, and families. Program content areas include earth science, life science, and Native American cultures of the Pacific Northwest, highlighting Burke collections and research. This position may also support the development of new programs based in collections including, but not limited to: the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. The Burke Museum Education Department is committed to making the natural world and globally-influenced cultural heritage of Washington State accessible to all learners. We aim to foster and support empathy, curiosity, and a life-long love of learning. We encourage anyone from communities representing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to apply.  

Apply now
 

Visitor Services Lead

The Burke Museum values the critical role that frontline staff play in creating an onsite experience that is accessible, inclusive, and connects museum guests to our mission. To support this, we are seeking a collaborative, people-oriented Visitor Services Lead who will delegate daily work to the Visitor Services team in collaboration with the Manager and Supervisors, lead admissions opening and closing procedures, de-escalate difficult guest interactions, and elevate notable issues to supervisors.

Apply now
 

Visitor Services Manager

Reporting to the Director of Visitor Experience (VEXP), this position works closely with other VEXP teams (Burke Museum Store, Membership and Private Events) in addition to collaborating with departments throughout the museum. The Visitor Services Manager is responsible for managing the admissions experience, including gallery guides, ticketing systems, and communication between visitors and staff. This role includes developing annual attendance projections and budget, overseeing progress towards goals, and proactively proposing ideas to energize profitability while supporting the Burke’s mission.

Apply now

a student and professor look at art together

Our Work

At the Burke, we bring together people, objects and the stories that make them meaningful.

Photo: Mark Stone/University of Washington
Photo: Mark Stone/University of Washington