Assistant Editor II, Interpretation
San Francisco, CA
Interpretive Media /
Full-Time /
Hybrid
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter and are aligned with our values.
Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue.
Passionate: We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life.
Brave: We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure, always ready to explore new perspectives.
Empathic: We aim to act like a person, not an institution.
SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support, and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.
Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week, at least three days working onsite
Reporting to the Manager of Interpretation, the Assistant Editor II, Interpretation, edits and project manages in-gallery interpretive texts and object labels for collection rotations and other small-scale exhibitions, as well as digital content on the museum’s collection. This role requires creative and critical thinking combined with strong editing skills and an understanding of how to manage projects to deliver interpretive text that centers the museum’s audience and meets department goals.
The Assistant Editor II plays a crucial role in shaping and enhancing visitor experience by supporting the production of compelling, accurate, and engaging in-gallery texts. They bolster the Interpretation team's efforts to provide context for exhibitions and the museum’s collection, showcase the scholarship of our curators, and aim to reach a wide range of readers.
This position represents Interpretation at interdepartmental project meetings and works closely with other Interpretation staff as well as curators, graphic designers, and colleagues in Exhibitions and Project Management to ensure that institutional standards for content, editing, and design are maintained within in-gallery materials. The Assistant Editor II develops and circulates schedules as assigned and ensures that the signage process, from editing through production, stays on track. They troubleshoot and implement solutions in consultation with other Interpretation staff and colleagues in the Design Studio and Exhibition and Project Management as needed.
In the first year of work in this position, key milestones will be:
o By 30 days: establish understanding of key Interpretation/interpretive text projects, roles, and procedures and contribute to projects as assigned; begin developing departmental, cross-departmental, and cross-divisional relationships necessary for collaborative work.
o By the first quarter: contribute to an increased number, scale, and variety of projects with increased project-management responsibility while continuing to develop collaborative approach to projects.
o By one year: demonstrate increasing acumen with editorial and project-management skills, including increased ability to work independently and problem-solve proactively on multiple simultaneous projects; contribute to refining departmental and cross-departmental workflows; and deepen key professional collaborations.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Undertake the editing of in-gallery interpretive materials as assigned, and with primary responsibility in the department for managing collection rotations. This includes brochures, handouts, text panels, object labels, and interactive media. Schedule, copyedit, and proofread manuscript and galleys.
- Undertake the development, editing, and proofreading of interpretive text content to be published via various digital platforms.
- Assume primary responsibility for maintaining house editorial style guide and other guidelines, coordinating annual updates with staff in Publications, Curatorial, Conservation, and Collections Information and Access.
- Provide a wide range of production and editorial support for gallery text and signage for collection rotations and/or exhibitions, helping department managers to meet schedule, budget, quality, and content requirements.
- Obtain reproductions and permissions for inclusion in museum interpretive and didactic displays: researching and contacting copyright holders and image providers, maintaining related spreadsheets and paperwork, and processing invoices.
- Working within established editorial and production schedules, help coordinate the work of contractors hired to work on a given project, including designers, editors, translators, and other consultants.
- Provide editorial support by fact-checking and formatting texts, proofreading texts in layout, ensuring alignment with interpretive information hierarchies, and other duties as assigned.
- Package and prepare texts, images, and other relevant materials for accessibility partners, supporting the creation and formatting of visual descriptions for gallery content.
- Organize the routing of materials for approval as necessary, alerting appropriate staff members and obtaining approvals in a timely fashion.
- Obtain final design files, create master archive and set of PDFs for each exhibition. Extract and reformat text from files as needed.
- Participate in interpretive planning discussions for projects as assigned, ensuring cohesion across modes of interpretation and multimedia in-gallery affordances.
- Provide general organizational and administrative support for the gallery signage workflows as assigned.
Qualifications & Skills
- Possession of a bachelor’s degree in art history, English, journalism, or related subject, with specific coursework in modern and contemporary art desirable.
- Minimum of five (5) years of related professional experience, including copyediting, proofreading, and project management.
- Strong organizational, communication, writing, editorial, and project management skills.
- Familiarity with modern and contemporary art history and art terminology.
- Working knowledge of Chicago Manual of Style.
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop and InDesign) and HTML a plus.
- Proven ability to work independently, set priorities, deal effectively and tactfully with artists and Museum staff, maintain accuracy while meeting deadlines, and juggle a variety of projects simultaneously.
- Ability to quickly change course, when needed, for time-sensitive projects or as procedures change
- Competence in at least one foreign language desirable.
$35.16 - $42.20 an hour
$35.16/hour (starting); $42.20/hour (position)
This is a union position subject to the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Job posting open date: 8/20/25
All jobs posted will remain open for at least five business days.
We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within the initial open posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond that initial period. Applications will not be accepted after a posting has been closed.
Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street.
Benefits: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Pet Insurance, Life and AD&D Coverage, Disability Insurance, Mental Health and Wellness Benefits, Discount Programs, Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, SFMOMA Membership, and more
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
SFMOMA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. No person shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, genetic information, ancestry/national origin, marital status, disability, medical condition, HIV status, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, and any other category protected by federal of state law.
You may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable to or are limited in your ability to access job postings or provide additional information asked in the job posting.
You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People Team at talent@sfmoma.org.
