Chief Curator | USA

About the Museum

• Contribute to the creation, management, and direction of the ongoing strategic direction and plan for the Curatorial and Collections Management departments, ensuring alignment with the strategic plan of the institution as a whole.
• Galvanize the Curatorial team in conjunction with the Exhibitions & Interpretation and Education teams to create temporary exhibition content and exhibition programming through internal research and development as well as evaluation of external proposals.
• Leading collection growth, research and care; developing an excited exhibition program in collaboration with the Director of Exhibitions & Interpretation.
• Serve on the senior level strategy team to set a strategic tone for all initiatives at the museum.
• Collaborate with education, exhibitions and interpretation, communications, and other key departments to ensure alignment of curatorial objectives with goals of museum.
• Collaborate in the development of installation and interpretation plans for the museum’s collections and exhibitions.
• Plan and Oversee installation activities, and coordination related to both the permanent collection as well as borrowed materials with the Collections Management team.
• Identify, recruit, hire, train, manage, inspire, and evaluate staff members to achieve the goals of the department and museum.
• Provide leadership in evaluating and proposing acquisitions and gifts by providing research, and justifications for accepting or rejecting potential acquisitions.
• Oversee and conduct research of collection with the intent to share with academic and general audiences through multiple methods.
• Plan, develop, implement, and manage approved budgets, and allocation of resources for department.
• Participate in the production of publications on the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. Conduct research and write exhibition labels, didactics, and catalogues as well as contributing articles to scholarly and popular journals when appropriate.
• Collaborate with Museum Advancement to identify and secure works of art as well as funding for the permanent collection, exhibitions, publications and other programs through donor cultivation.
• Identify, implement and monitor best available standards of care and protection for both permanent collection and borrowed art works in collaboration with the Collection Management team.
• In partnership with Education provide direction on the long range plans for the museum’s programmatic development as it relates to the permanent collection.
• Actively participate in guest assessment to ensure community engagement.
• Ensure the museum has a lively and productive relationship with peer professionals and institutions locally, regionally and nationally.

• Masters’ degree in art history or related field
• Applied knowledge of professional museum principles, practices and procedures
• Knowledge of research tools and methodology
• Self-directed and motivated
• Very flexible and helpful
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment

• Minimum of 5 years management-level museum experience required
• Minimum of 5 years applied curatorial experience
• Demonstrated experience managing substantial department, project and program budgets

• Exemplary written, verbal, and listening communication skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and professionally
• Strong staff management and mentoring skills
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Ability to interpret the collection and to communicate knowledge about it in a manner that is relevant to the general public
• Ability to perform scholarly research in the field
• Highly developed public speaking skills
• Self-directed, able to work independently and effectively
• Maintain highest levels of confidentiality and discretion
• Understand and maintain highest ethical standards related to organizational responsibilities and public accountability
• Ability to create and successfully manage an annual budget
• Demonstrated organizational planning, problem-solving and collaboration skills
• Demonstrated understanding and use of diplomacy
• Proficient computer skills in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Database and additional software knowledge preferred
• Ability to obtain a valid passport

• Physical demands:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to travel independently within museum office and spaces, construction site and in the communities served. In the work environments described below, position requires verbal and written conversation with others, sitting, moving throughout the museum, trails, and associated buildings, reaching, lifting/moving objects up to 15 pounds, and use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.  The position occasionally requires speaking for an extended period of time.  Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.
• Work Environment:  Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, construction site, and in the communities served. Some overnight travel is required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.