Oral History Project Manager

DEPARTMENT: Museum Collections               
REPORTS TO: Senior Curator of Oral History & Vice President of Collections
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
DATE: April 2025
SALARY: $90,000-$120,000/Annual

Note: This position requires a cover letter for consideration. Refer to the “How to Apply” section of the job description for details. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Oral History Project Manager (OHPM) is a three-year, grant-funded position within the 9/11 Museum’s Collections Department.

The role will encompass four primary functions:

  1. Identifying, vetting and enlisting prospective candidates and communities for oral histories.
  2. Conducting new recordings in partnership with the Museum’s Senior Curator for Oral History & Vice President of Collections.
  3. Summarizing, transcribing and indexing relevant oral histories for effective catalog discovery and public use.
  4. Reviewing previously conducted oral histories for missing release forms, completing pending draft transcripts and summaries, and prioritizing and systematizing the preparation of interviews for cataloging. 

This work will help position the 9/11 Museum to successfully fill gaps identified in the Museum’s historical records, in three main areas:

  1. Underrepresented 9/11 family constituents including children of 9/11 victims who are now adults; Pentagon, Flight 77, United Kingdom and Japan-based families.
  2. Those who have become ill from exposure to toxins at the three attack sites.
  3. Members of the United States military who served in the post-9/11 wars.

The OHPM will be responsible for identifying interview prospects who meet these demographic criteria and will conduct preparatory research and outreach prior to scheduling and conducting interviews in conjunction with the Senior Curator. Additionally, the OHPM will become familiar with all aspects and opportunities associated with the Museum’s oral history platform, TheirStory, and will use that platform to facilitate special collecting projects and self-recording, in instances where that experience is preferred over a facilitated oral history. The OHPM will gain expertise in TheirStory and will be accessible to other members of the Museum staff who may need to use it.

The OHPM will oversee the processing of all interviews produced during the three-year grant period, ensuring that they are transcribed, indexed and summarized for both cataloging and reporting purposes; and that all release forms are signed and discoverable. Using TheirStory, the OHPM may be asked to create clips for various purposes, including potential integration into the Museum’s exhibitions and for online presentation, and should have experience editing interviews for this range of application.

This role is a grant-funded, three-year term position, with the possibility of an extension pending future funding.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • In coordination with the Curatorial Staff, the OHPM will identify and conduct oral history interviews, including research, vetting, outreach and follow-up, scheduling, securing signed release forms, recording, and uploading recordings and release forms to the Museum’s database.
  • Oversee the transcription and indexing of all interviews conducted under the three-year grant period, working with Museum cataloguing staff to prime interviews for discoverability in the Museum’s collections management system.
  • Create edited segments of recorded interviews as needed, particularly for
  • Museum exhibition and online uses.
  • Maintain accurate tracking spreadsheets of interviews conducted and interview candidates of interest to the Museum, manage the project’s workflow, and timeline.
  • Ensure that project deliverables are proceeding on schedule and within budget. Communicate any budgetary issues or disruptions to the project timeline to the Senior Curator.
  • Provide summary descriptions of, and accurate statistical information regarding, interviews conducted each month, quarter, and year, and running total to date, in accordance with the Museum’s grant and other reporting needs.
  • Be highly knowledgeable and demonstrably proficient in using audio recording and editing technology.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Explore potential artifact leads and donations to the permanent collection with interviewees, and coordinate follow-up with Curator of Collections. 
  • Report on project progress at weekly Curatorial meetings.
  • Support Senior Curator, as needed, with research, scheduling, and general project coordination.

REQUIRED SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONAL EVENTS

  • Participate in the annual 5K fundraiser and September 11th commemoration. 
  • Assist with other special projects and events in support of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum mission, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS REQUIREMENT

  • Knowledge of oral history professional practice, methodology, theory, and ethics, particularly as applied in museum functions.
  • Experience with audio recording, editing and transcription technology, equipment, and software; proficiency in audio editing.
  • Proficiency in using MS Office, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Experience managing all aspects of a project, creating detailed project plans, assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and communicating and resolving issues that may impact the project timeline, as they arise.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and sensitivity to individuals affected by trauma.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of September 11, 2001, its antecedents and aftermath preferred; ability to work with emotionally laden content required.
  • Highly organized and detail oriented.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively across all departments at the 9/11 Memorial.
  • Some travel and evening and weekend hours will be required from time to time.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Please submit a cover letter and resume to 911mmcollectionsjobs@911memorial.org. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
  • Please include the position you are seeking in the email subject field. 
  • State the location where job posting was seen.

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The National September 11 Memorial and Museum (9/11 Memorial & Museum) is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements of the role will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (9/11 Memorial & Museum) is committed to an organizational culture that supports and reinforces our values regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). We seek to build a collaborative, open, and equitable space where staff want to be, knowing that their contributions, professional expertise, and distinct voices are valued and respected. We encourage and celebrate an inclusive environment where candor and participation, when it comes to sharing ideas and collaborative problem-solving, are welcomed regardless of one’s role at the Museum or background. 

Reasonable accommodation may be made to qualified candidates, during the interview process, to enable individuals with disabilities an opportunity to interview.