Williams Director of the Penn Museum

Reporting to the Provost of the University of Pennsylvania and working in partnership with the dedicated Board of Overseers, expert curators, a talented staff, and the faculty at the University, the Williams Director of the Penn Museum is responsible for providing vision and strategic leadership for the Museum, ensuring that it fulfills its mission as both an academic and public-facing institution, as well as overseeing its day-to-day operations. A steward of a vast collection of more than one million objects, the Williams Director will maintain the Museum’s momentum in supporting the University’s teaching and research mission while also engaging the public. The lead ambassador for the Penn Museum locally, nationally, and globally, the Williams Director will lead the fundraising campaign to complete its ambitious Building Transformation plan with new galleries of ancient Egypt, Nubia, Asia, and the physical renovation of the wings in which they sit. With a vision for how the Museum can leverage its strengths to deepen its engagement with students at the University of Pennsylvania, in the City of Philadelphia, and around the world, the Williams Director will develop and execute a new strategic plan. Finally, the Williams Director will be fluent in museum best practices, including current discussions regarding decolonization, and have an appreciation for and sophisticated understanding of material culture.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The University of Pennsylvania is seeking a creative and inspirational individual to lead the Penn Museum at this transformational moment for the Museum and our world. A global citizen with a deep commitment to scholarship and education for all, the Williams Director will have a strong reputation for cutting-edge leadership in the museum field and demonstrate both a passion and track record of success in engaging a wide range of audiences. A great public communicator, he/she/they will be able to translate anthropological and archaeological research and collections to all audiences, instilling excitement, passion, and an appreciation for the relevance of the Penn Museum’s collection of material culture to our current society. The Williams Director will have a vision and interest in building local and international relationships that expand anthropological knowledge and share the future potential of the Penn Museum through partnership. The Williams Director will demonstrate a strong commitment to anti-racism and inclusion as evidenced by his/her/their track record in recruiting and developing a diverse staff, creating a culture that welcomes difference, and meaningful engagement with typically underrepresented and underserved audiences. He/she/they will also demonstrate the interest, empathy, understanding, cultural agility and courage to sensitively and creatively engage with issues raised by communities that contest the provenance of artifacts. With a commitment to the research agenda of the scholars that the Penn Museum supports, the successful candidate will work effectively with faculty and students at Penn. In addition to developing synergies with arts groups at Penn, the Williams Director will forge impactful partnerships across the city of Philadelphia and around the globe. A strategist, the Williams Director will balance the four-fold focus of the Museum – teaching, research, collections stewardship, and public engagement – while leading the institution through all of the political complexities of operating a museum in the 21st century. This is an opportunity to support world-class active research, further realize Penn’s gift to Philadelphia, and continue to create “the best classroom in Philadelphia” as well on the university campus and across the globe.