Director of Curatorial Affairs

Salary: $170,000–$200,000 per annum
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Reports to: Paul Mellon Director
Application materials: Cover letter and CV/resumé required
Applications: Reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled

The Yale Center for British Art (YCBA) is seeking a Director of Curatorial Affairs to provide strategic leadership across its curatorial, interpretation, conservation, publications, and exhibitions management functions. Reporting to the Paul Mellon Director and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the successful candidate will help shape the museum’s artistic vision, oversee a long-range exhibition programme, and ensure that curatorial initiatives align with institutional priorities, audience engagement goals, and the museum’s strategic plan.

The Director of Curatorial Affairs will lead a multidisciplinary division of approximately 20 staff, overseeing curatorial departments, conservation, interpretation, publications, and exhibitions management. Responsibilities include developing and implementing a multi-year exhibition calendar, supporting acquisitions and loans, advancing collections research, fostering institutional partnerships, and championing visitor-centred interpretation and publishing initiatives. The role will also play a key part in donor cultivation, fundraising efforts, and expanding the museum’s visibility nationally and internationally.

Founded through the generosity of Paul Mellon, the Yale Center for British Art holds the largest collection of British art outside the United Kingdom, including nearly 100,000 objects spanning five centuries. Housed in the final museum designed by architect Louis I. Kahn, the institution combines scholarship, public engagement, exhibitions, research facilities, and a renowned library and study centre.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the museum’s curatorial, conservation, interpretation, publications, and exhibitions functions.
• Develop and oversee a sustainable multi-year programme of exhibitions, installations, and publications.
• Lead collection-based initiatives including acquisitions, loans, conservation priorities, and research projects.
• Establish and implement interpretation strategies that prioritise accessibility and visitor engagement.
• Build and maintain relationships with artists, scholars, museums, collectors, foundations, and cultural organisations.
• Recruit, mentor, and support the professional development of staff across the Curatorial Division.
• Partner with senior leadership and advancement teams on fundraising and donor engagement activities.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant leadership experience within a museum or collection-based institution.
• Deep knowledge of the curatorial field, museums, and the wider art world.
• Experience overseeing exhibitions, collections, publications, and public-facing programmes.
• Strong strategic planning, budget management, and team leadership skills.
• A proven record of curatorial and scholarly achievement, including exhibitions and publications.
• Experience cultivating partnerships, donors, and fundraising opportunities.
• A PhD in art history, museum studies, or a related field, alongside at least eight years of progressively responsible curatorial and administrative experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

About the Yale Center for British Art

The Yale Center for British Art is a leading museum and research institution dedicated to the study and presentation of British art and culture from the fifteenth century to the present day. Its collection includes works by artists such as William Blake, J.M.W. Turner, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Cecily Brown, Yinka Shonibare, and Barbara Walker. The museum remains free and open to the public and recently reopened following a major building project, entering a new phase of strategic development ahead of its 50th anniversary.

To apply, candidates should submit a cover letter and CV/resumé addressing the responsibilities and competencies outlined in the position prospectus. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the appointment is made.