Executive Director and Chief Curator

Posting Details

Posting Details

Job #
039456

Department Code
20009-7605

Department
Syracuse University Art Museum

Job Title
Executive Director and Chief Curator

Location
Syracuse, NY

Pay Range
Commensurate with Experience

Staff Level
S6

FLSA Status
Exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)

8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type
Full-time

Campus
Syracuse, NY

Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable

Job Description

The Syracuse University Art Museum is a point of pride for the University, featuring one of the top 10 largest academic museum collections in the United States and providing a rich academic resource for the faculty, students and alumni of Syracuse University. It serves the culturally vibrant communities of Syracuse and the Central New York region, as well as New York City through its exhibitions and programming at the Louise and Bernard Palitz Art Gallery at Lubin House.

As a teaching museum, it acquires and preserves works of art and uses its extensive collection to serve as a museum-laboratory for research, exploration and discussion. It aims to foster diverse and inclusive perspectives by convening students and the local and global communities.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in art history or related field, PhD or equivalent preferred, with significant (5-10 years) museum experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience), including curatorial practice and exhibition planning, education programming, operations, fundraising, public relations and/or marketing, and budget management.

Job Specific Qualifications

• Apply highly developed creative and problem-solving skills and use high-level persuasion and negotiation skills to build on existing relationships with faculty and local, regional, national, and international communities to advance the aims of the Academic Strategic Plan at Syracuse University.
• Strong vision for public impact and collaboration with both Syracuse University stakeholders and the local Syracuse community.
• Expertise or subject knowledge in at least one area of the museum’s collection, with proven experience developing programming that takes a global approach and highlights the diversity of people, ideas and works of art.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends and conversations within the museum and curatorial fields, including equity-oriented practices that center community voices.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with professional practices of collection care and management.
• Extensive knowledge of the American Alliance of Museum accreditation process. Preference given to experience successfully completing the accreditation process.
• Experience working successfully with advisory boards, faculty councils and student groups.
• Significant record of successful fundraising through philanthropy and grants.
• Demonstrated managerial experience in a leadership role.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

Oversee all museum operations in order to provide strategic and collaborative leadership and vision. Provide leadership, vision, and guidance and supervise the activities of 7 full-time, part-time staff, including Associate Director, Curator, Curator of Education, Registrar, Preparator, Assistant Registrar & Provenance Researcher, and Administrative Specialist, in addition to part time staff, graduate assistants and interns. Lead the development and implementation of the museum’s strategic plan, which supports the museum’s mission and shared strategic priorities of Syracuse University. Lead the application process for American Alliance of Museum accreditation and uphold professional best practice standards to retain accreditation status.

Develop and maintain the University art collection, producing high quality exhibitions, publications, scholarship and other programs for the SU Art Museum and Palitz Gallery, including critical review of research and scholarly texts created by all staff. Provide oversight exhibition schedule for SU Art Museum and Palitz Gallery. Support the academic mission to increase awareness and appreciation for the arts through expanding collaborations with university and community stakeholders.

Serve as the lead fundraiser for the museum and responsibly manage financial resources and the museum budget. Discover and engage Syracuse University alumni and donors for philanthropic gifts including both gifts-in-kind and financial. Serve as the Board Manager for the newly formed Advisory Board, including cultivating new board members. Work closely with the Advisory Board to raise the profile of the museum and Syracuse University. Research and write grants for the museum’s strategic initiatives and projects.

Develop and administer use and care of the permanent collection according to museum best practices. Will work with all appropriate departments at the university to maintain the exhibition and collection storage facilities.

Develop budget recommendations, maintain records, approve expenditures, manage endowment resources, and interview and select staff. Will pursue donations and effectively manage fiscal resources and established endowments. Account for budget planning and controlling expenditures for the art collection. Prepare annual documentation of a multi-million-dollar University asset for financial/accounting departments/risk management, prepare reports for use of restricted funds for grant funders.

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community

Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.

Quick Link
https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/97926

Job Posting Date
02/28/2023

Application Deadline

Full Consideration By

Job Category
Staff

Message to Applicants