Employment & Internships

Cheekwood is seeking several experienced Security Attendants. Working under the direction of the Security & Safety Manager & Coordinator, this position will be responsible for ensuring a safe and secure environment.

Responsibilities: 

• • Responsible for protecting the works of art by ensuring that no one touches the collection and reports any problems promptly to the Security Manager.
• • Maintains a clean uniform and appearance to reflect a professional image.
• • Provides positive interactions with the public answering questions and giving directions. Attendants are required to always maintain a calm friendly and professional demeanor, in all situations, while providing exceptional customer service.
• • First responder to incidents as needed. Attendants will know the location of every fire extinguisher and first aid kits. Incident response time should be quick while maintaining continual radio contact with the Security Base. Incidents reports will be completed accurately and turned in immediately to the Security Manager.
• • Must maintain a valid unarmed security license from the State of Tennessee at all times.

Qualifications: Valid State of Tennessee Security Unarmed Guard License and Driver’s License. Must have the ability to multi-task and endure long periods of standing and walking in all types of weather conditions. Daytime, evening, and weekend shifts are available. Security level experience in the Entertainment or Hospitality Industry is a plus.

Please send resume and letter of interest to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

Working closely with the Membership Supervisor this position provides excellent customer service to existing members and promotes/sells memberships.

Responsibilities: 

• • Responds to general membership inquiries via phone, email, and in-person visits. Documents appropriate correspondence in constituent records for future reference.
• • Serves as primary contact for Cheekwood Membership phone line. Receives incoming phone calls with the ability to inform callers of Cheekwood membership levels, benefits, and value; as well as inform callers of Cheekwood events, times, prices, etc.
• • Processes membership renewals, new memberships, and gift memberships in the Blackbaud Altru Ensures constituent and payment information is entered accurately and promptly.
• • Performs daily ticketing sales, advance sales, and other registrations for members in Altru database.
• • Performs other projects or duties assigned by supervisor as needed.

Qualifications: Energetic and pleasant personality with excellent oral communication skills. Excellent customer service skills and professional attitude. Strong attention to detail and accurate computer skills. Experience with cultural attraction, nonprofit institution and/or membership organization is preferred. Must have the availability to work Tuesday-Saturday for a 30–40-hour work week.

This is a full-time position with competitive benefits. Send your letter of interest and resume to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

Working closely with the Director of Accounting, the Accounting Associate is responsible for daily accounting processes, accounts payables and administrative support. All tasks are to be performed with 95-100% accuracy.

Cash Receipts/Deposits  

• • Prepare deposit daily, making certain to always secure cash and checks.
• • Reconcile daily cash receipts to transaction reports for multiple points of sale including guest services, gift shops, and the accounting software system.
• • Copy and scan all checks and other supporting documentation received and distribute to appropriate departments using SharePoint.
• • Maintain orderly, accurate, and complete daily deposit/cash receipts digital folders that contains support for cash receipts and the related transactions reports for reconciliation.
• • Prepare Daily Deposit packets for Director of Accounting.
• • Assist Director of Accounting with cash related Month End Close task
• • Maintain confidentiality of records at all times.

 Accounts Payable

• • Timely processing of all accounts payables to assure payments are made to avoid late fees and in accordance with Cheekwood policy.
• • Obtain W-9s from all vendors assuring W-9 data is included in the electronic vendor record within accounting software.
• • Maintain W-9 reference file and update with current W-9s as needed.
• • Obtain COIs from all vendors that will perform on campus activities.
• • Maintain COI reference file and update with current COIs as needed; ensure COI file is up to date at all times.
• • Receive Invoices, organize in SharePoint according to department, and distribute to departments for coding and approvals.
• • Receive PAs and/or Invoices, verifying appropriate approvals and coding, organize in SharePoint according to department setup (open invoice, paid invoices, etc.)
• • Ensure invoices are entered in a timely manner and in the correct period for the time the good or service was delivered; being cognizant of month-end cutoff.
• • Verify coding to accurate general ledger, department, project codes and once verified post entries.
• • Check all statements to ensure all invoices are entered into the accounting software and contact vendor and/or department for any missing invoices.
• • Maintain orderly vendor classified AP files with all digital support attached including emails, receipts, and corresponding schedules.
• • Follow-up with any departments for month end close to ensure that all expenses are entered.
• • Maintain and organize the Accounts Payable Master Spreadsheet communicating any invoice payment issues and/or department approval issues to CFO.
• • Process check-runs in coordination with the Director of Accounting and / or CFO
• • Recognizing capital expense invoices and coding and maintaining the Capital Expense SharePoint files
• • Assisting with credit application request upon CFO approval of such request
• • Support Cheekwood departments with invoice information and field vendor request
• • Support Cheekwood departments with SharePoint training and best practices as needed.
• • Implement a purchase order system for projects exceeding a certain dollar threshold.

 Administrative/Support

• • Maintain knowledge of the accounting system, and other systems as necessary, for reporting and transaction confirmation purposes.
• • Communicate with departments regarding deposit questions and research any issues.
• • Support the Visitor Services Department and the CFO with attendance reporting.
• • Maintain SharePoint files related to accounts payable, daily deposits, and projects.
• • Learn Altru system for reporting and transaction confirmation purposes.
• • Sort and manage incoming and outgoing mail.
• • Support Director of Accounting and CFO with annual financial statement and insurance audit
• • Work on special projects as requested.

Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent, business or accounting degree is preferred. Must have a good understanding of basic accounting principles related to accounts payable; non-profit accounting experience is preferred. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and accounting software; experience with Abila, Altru and FEXNT is preferred. Ability to manage multiple tasks; excellent organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail. This is a full-time position performed onsite.

Please send resume and letter of interest to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

Reporting to the Vice President of Museum Affairs, the Registrar, performs both long-range planning efforts and day-to-day activities relative to the care and stewardship of the collections and museum registration efforts for exhibitions. In this fast-past environment, the Registrar provides essential guidance relative to collections care, shaping and enforcing collections management policies for both collections and loans that reflect museum standards and best practices as set forth by the American Alliance of Museums. The position works closely with curators, preparators, maintenance, marketing, gardens, and development staff, and additionally oversees and trains collections volunteers and interns.

Responsibilities: 

• • Responsible for all policies, and procedures relating to the permanent collections, including but not limited to, accessioning; deaccessioning; packing, transit, and customs logistics; fine arts insurance; tracking and recording object movement and locations; and storage in concert with the curators through adherence to the highest professional standards in accordance American Alliance of Museums (AAM) guidelines and Cheekwood’s Collection Management Policy and Code of Ethics.
• • Responsible for the administration and management of official records related to the museum’s collections, exhibitions, and incoming/outgoing loans, including the Collections Management database and web kiosk (Gallery Systems Embark).
• • Maintains environmental monitoring equipment for the museum, produces reports on temperature and humidity, and communicates with maintenance on adjusting the HVAC system to ensure the best achievable environmental conditions for the artwork and the historic building.
• • Plans and implements a museum wide inventory of all collection objects and records every ten years. On a monthly basis produces a random sampling of the collections to inventory, document the condition and location of objects to be performed by the curators responsible for each collection.
• • Executes and oversees all contracts related exhibitions, including, but not limited to contracted curators, catalogue authors and other related contractual relationships as well as loan related contracts and agreements, including exhibition contracts; loan agreements; packing, transit, and customs logistics; transit receipts; fine arts insurance; and temporary loan storage through adherence to the highest professional standards in accordance American Alliance of Museums (AAM) guidelines and Cheekwood’s Collection Management Policy and Code of Ethics.
• • Manages and oversee fine arts insurance policy in relation to the permanent collections, incoming/outgoing, and museum exhibitions. Processing damage reports and claims as needed.
• • Maintains the exhibition calendar with oversight by the Vice President of Museum Affairs.
• • Manages rights and reproductions requests for works in the permanent collections and included in exhibition loans.
• • Manages offsite storage for permanent collections, incoming/outgoing loans, exhibitions, and exhibition transit materials.
• • Authors, oversees, and updates the museum’s Collections Management Policy and collections-related documentation to ensure that they adhere to best museum practices and AAM professional standards. Serves as museum liaison for oversight and maintenance of Cheekwood’s Disaster Preparedness Plan and Code of Ethics.
• • Responsible for assisting in the preparation of grants and funding narratives for projects relating to the duties of the Registrar.
• • Responsible for incoming and outgoing information requests connected with the permanent collection, archives, temporary and extended loans (along with curatorial staff).
• • Coordinates volunteers in concert with Vice President of Museum Affairs, supervising those volunteers and interns as assigned.

Work Requirements and Qualifications:

• • Education: Master’s degree in Museum Studies or Art History, with a specialty in art collections administration or equivalent museum collections experience.
• • Extensive knowledge of collection management systems and procedures.
• • Ability to achieve and sustain best Collections practices.
• • Strong detail orientation with demonstrated ability to manage more than one active project concurrently.
• • Proven organizational skills and the ability to coordinate complicated projects and domestic and international exhibitions.
• • The ability to review, develop and refine procedures with the Vice President of Museum affairs and implement changes necessary to improve operational efficiency.
• • Ability to remain calm in a fast-paced work environment that frequently involves working under deadlines.
• • Experience in a management role, with both supervisory and budgetary responsibilities including collections budget development and cost control procedures.
• • A minimum of five years experience as a Registrar in an art museum with an active art collecting and exhibitions program is required.
• • Experience Microsoft Programs is required. Experience with Gallery System’s Embark database, Embark web kiosk, and Adobe Suite is preferred.

Please send resume and letter of interest to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

The Cheekwood Retail Department is seeking friendly and energetic salespeople to provide excellent customer service, drive sales and assist in store operations within multiple gift shops at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.

Cheekwood has two gift shops on the property. The Garden Gift Shop sells gardening tools, décor, and children’s items. The Mansion Gift Shop is located inside the Historic Mansion & Museum, selling jewelry, art, and gift items.

Responsibilities:

• • Greeting the visitors as a Cheekwood representative, always offering excellent customer service with a genuinely friendly attitude while providing information and assistance to customers.
• • Responsible for opening/closing procedures within the Gift Shop(s).
• • Unpacking, pricing, and stocking merchandise within the store standards and practices.
• • Operates “Point of Sale” computer system – completing sales, returns and various other transactions.
• • Responsible for tracking both individual and store sales, while aiming to meet daily, weekly, and monthly financial goals

Qualifications:

• • Customer Service experience required. Retail experience preferred.
• • Knowledge of merchandise and ability to upsell.
• • Pleasant service-oriented demeanor and strong customer service skills.
• • Ability to remain productive and motivated while working alone.
• • Must have the availability to work three days, up to 16 hours a week, with the ability to occasionally work nights & weekends as needed.
• • Willing to walk/stand for long periods.

Please send resume and letter of interest to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

Reporting to the Grounds Supervisor, this position supports the grounds maintenance team to establish and uphold the highest standards of turf excellence.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• • Primarily responsible for executing the comprehensive turf maintenance program including mowing, trimming, edging, and blowing as well as seasonal renovation and repair.
• • Monitors and controls weed and pest populations in lawn areas via integrated pest management best practices and in accordance with the Cheekwood Pesticide Use Policy.
• • Works with garden staff to assist in seasonal, property-wide maintenance activities such as leaf removal and mulching.
• • Assists Department Leadership to oversee the general operation of the automatic underground irrigation system including maintenance, repair, winterization, and mapping.
• • Collaborates with the Department Leadership to develop, maintain and document best management practices within the ground’s maintenance function.
• • Assists in the care and maintenance of all outdoor equipment used in the Botanical Garden Department including implementing routine maintenance schedules. Maintains standards for the daily care and storage of garden equipment and notifies supervisor of any supply needs.
• • Performs some tree work, including heavy pruning and light removals.
• • Responsible for maintaining records of work activities in assigned areas of the garden.
• • Engages in diversified and/or specialized scope based on individual background and departmental and institutional needs.
• • Performs all levels of landscape and grounds maintenance required to maintain the highest aesthetic standards throughout the property and support seasonal display rotations, especially Blooms. Understands and stewards the Mission Statements for Gardens and Collections. Primarily responsible for the full scope of garden maintenance within a clearly identified zone.
• • Identifies special needs and maintenance priorities for immediate action, including hazard removal, health and safety issues, invasive plant control, pest problems, and irrigation failures. Reports these needs and priorities to Department Leadership.
• • Motivates, trains, and supervises seasonal interns and volunteers in assigned areas of responsibilities.
• • Assists co-workers with special projects as determined by Department leadership and provides project management assistance for major garden projects.
• • Serves as an external representative of Cheekwood and engages members of the community and industry to exchange information and ideas to support individual and institutional growth.
• • Maintains a constant awareness of the guest experience and makes every reasonable effort to ensure the safety and comfort of all persons moving through the Garden.
• • Understands and upholds the Cheekwood Mission, Vision and Values and maintains great awareness and flexibility to accommodate and support organizational goals and operations.

Qualifications: An associate or Bachelor of Science/arts degree is preferred or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Must be a certified pesticide applicator in the State of Tennessee or obtain this certification within one year of employment. Must have at least one-year turfgrass or landscape maintenance experience in public horticulture, golf course management, estate maintenance or related field. Knowledge of cultural requirements for healthy turfgrass; general knowledge of basic plant healthcare and lifecycle principles and skillful in the safe and efficient operation of landscape maintenance equipment. Working knowledge of basic equipment maintenance and irrigation troubleshooting experience is preferred. Must have a positive professional attitude; detail-oriented; ability to work independently as well as on a team; work flexible and fluctuating schedules based upon business needs. This position requires frequent lifting, pulling, pushing, and carrying up to 50lbs and willing to work in inclement weather. This is a full-time position (7:00 AM to 3:30 PM Monday-Friday) with competitive benefits.

Please send resume and letter of interest to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

Cheekwood is seeking an individual with a strong interest in horticulture to support garden maintenance and uphold the highest standard of excellence.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• • Performs all levels of garden and grounds maintenance required to maintain the highest aesthetic standards throughout the property and support seasonal display rotations, especially Blooms. Understands and stewards the Mission Statements for individual gardens and collections.
• • Assists the garden supervisor in upholding the historic and current intent of the garden.
• • Frequently practices landscaping maintenance and upkeep including, but not limited to weeding, mulching, watering, planting, pruning, pest control, spraying, string trimming, leaf removal, and trash removal.
• • Troubleshoots irrigation issues in the garden.
• • Maintains bed edges and tree rings.
• • Applies a basic understanding of plant physiology and botanical nomenclature.
• • Practices safety measures during task execution.
• • Maintains water features in assigned garden, if applicable.
• • Actively participates in large seasonal exhibitions such as Blooms, and additional Seasonal Garden Projects.
• • Supervises seasonal employees and volunteers in support of the garden supervisor.
• • Maintains standards for the daily care and storage of garden equipment.
• • Safely and responsibly operate and maintain landscape equipment including, but not limited to, backpack blowers, edger’s, gas powered shears, string trimmers, and utility carts.
• • Maintains records of work activities in assigned areas of the garden.
• • Serves as an external representative of Cheekwood and engages members of the community and industry to exchange information and ideas to support individual and institutional growth.
• • Maintains a constant awareness of the guest experience and makes every reasonable effort to ensure the safety and comfort of all persons moving through the garden.
• • Understands and upholds the Cheekwood Mission, Vision and Values, and maintains great awareness and flexibility to accommodate and support organizational goals and operations.

Qualifications: Must have the ability to lift, pull, push, and carry up to 50lbs; strong customer service skills; willing to work in inclement weather and the availability to work the required hours, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM Tuesday – Saturday. This is a full-time position with competitive benefits.

Please send resume and letter of interest to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

The intern selected for this will work with the Curator of Paintings and Works on Paper on permanent collection and exhibitions projects. The duties and responsibilities are comparable to those of curatorial assistants. Successful applicants should have a desire to pursue a career in the arts and in fields related to Cheekwood’s collection of American art.

Qualifications:

• • A strong academic record
• • Leadership and teamwork experience
• • Curiosity and passion for learning
• • Positive attitude and self-motivation

Hours/Time Commitment: Intern will be required to work a minimum of 12-18 hours per week, from May/June through August 2020.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2021

Compensation: Unpaid; Students are encouraged to seek academic credit from their institution. Cheekwood will work with students to complete all required paperwork and documentation.

Education: Candidates must be a rising junior or senior of an undergraduate university/college.

Area of Study: Must be studying art history, or a related field.

Application Requirements: Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest with desired internship and semester, a resume, and a list of 3 references, at least one academic. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Start dates may vary based upon department needs and schedule. Please submit all applications to Abby Ornella at aornella@cheekwood.org by the application deadline for the desired semester. All interns will be required to undergo a background check.

Under the supervision and training of Cheekwood’s Registrar, the summer collections intern will work with another intern to complete collections-based projects. The museum collections field focuses on the care and preservation of artwork and artifacts in a museum’s permanent collection. Interns will learn about the museum industry and collections-care through hands-on projects.

Responsibilities: Interns will help museum staff complete various updates to permanent collection storage including update of storage materials, accession number tagging and marking of artwork, reorganization of artwork storage, and artwork location updates. Pending on available time, interns may have the ability to help museum staff with additional collections and exhibition-related tasks.

Qualifications: Qualifications and required skills include the ability to work independently on projects, strong written and oral communication skills, the ability to work within a team, detail-oriented, skill in organizing resources, and proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel. Museum experience is not required. Training, guidance and oversight will be provided by museum staff. Internship is unpaid, and intern must reside in Nashville, TN throughout the duration of the internship.

Hours/Time Commitment: Intern will be required to work a minimum of 12-18 hours per week, from May/June through August 2020.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2021

Compensation: Unpaid; Students are encouraged to seek academic credit from their institution. Cheekwood will work with students to complete all required paperwork and documentation.

Education: Undergraduate (junior and senior) or graduate students

Area of Study: Museum studies, library/archival studies, studio art, history, art history, or related subjects who are interested in a future museum career in collections care.

Application Requirements: Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest with desired internship and semester, a resume, and a list of 3 references, at least one academic. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Start dates may vary based upon department needs and schedule. Please submit all applications to Abby Ornella at aornella@cheekwood.org by the application deadline for the desired semester. All interns will be required to undergo a background check.

Under the supervision and training of Cheekwood’s Registrar and working with the curatorial staff, the intern will assist in the preparation for the launch of Cheekwood’s first online permanent collections web portal, in conjunction with the upcoming exhibition The Sculpture of William Edmondson: Tombstones, Garden Ornaments, and Stonework opening August 12, 2021.

Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Registrar and working with the curatorial staff, the intern will refine collection object information and upload photography to the collections database (Gallery System’s EmbARK). The intern will conduct additional collection research in preparation for the online Cheekwood collections web portal launch in August 2021.

Qualifications: Qualifications and required skills include the ability to work independently on projects, strong written and oral communication skills, the ability to work within a team, detail-oriented, skill in organizing resources, and proficiency with the Microsoft Suite. Museum experience is not required. Training, guidance, and oversight will be provided by museum staff. Intern must reside in the Nashville, TN area throughout the duration of the internship.

Hours/Time Commitment: Interns will be required to work a minimum of 10 hours per week for 8 weeks between June through early-August 2021.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2021

Compensation: Paid

Education: Undergraduate (junior and senior) or graduate students

Area of Study: Museum studies, library/archival studies, history, art history or related subjects who are interested in a future museum career.

Application Requirements: Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest with desired internship and semester, a resume, and a list of 3 references, at least one academic. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Start dates may vary based upon department needs and schedule. Please submit all applications to Abby Ornella at aornella@cheekwood.org by the application deadline for the desired semester. All interns will be required to undergo a background check.