The Worcester Art Museum seeks an experienced and dynamic Director of Curatorial Affairs with a strong background in European art. The Museum is in the process of leveraging its high level encyclopedic collections to have a stronger regional impact, with a clear focus on the visitor experience. The Director of Curatorial Affairs is part of the executive leadership team and directs all activities of the Curatorial Division (a staff of 22), which includes the following departments: Curatorial, Conservation, Registration, and Collections and Exhibition Services. S/he will also be responsible for the Museum’s collection of European Art.

The Director of Curatorial Affairs will have the unique opportunity to oversee the integration of the Higgins Armory Museum collection, the second most important Arms and Armor collection in the United States, into the Worcester Art Museum. This position will also spearhead a retelling of our institutional narrative, reshape the specific narrative of the department of European Art, and build a robust exhibition schedule in collaboration with other Museum divisions to build foot traffic and heighten the Museum’s relevance.

This position will oversee the Museum’s collecting activities and build relationships with private collectors and scholars in European art. The Director of Curatorial Affairs is responsible for liaising with development on grants and fundraising issues and objectives, exhibition programming and scheduling and all publications related to the permanent collection.

The Worcester Art Museum’s distinguished collection of European paintings numbers over 500 works. It was the first American museum to acquire works by a number of leading masters including Hogarth, Monet, Gauguin and Redon. The collection is particularly strong in early Italian, 17th-century Dutch, and 18th-century British, and French paintings from the 18th through the early 20th century. The painting collection is complemented by extensive holdings of European prints and drawings from the Renaissance to Contemporary and a collection of photographs that traces the history of the medium from the early 1840s to the present.

The ideal candidate will have experience successfully managing and leading staff, at least 7 years curatorial background as a specialist in European art (collection management, donor relationship, a strong exhibition track record and scholarly expertise), and strong interpersonal skills. A PhD is strongly preferred.

We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package. Please send cover letter and CV to Director of Human Resources, 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 or e-mail documents to humanresources@worcesterart.org by July 12, 2013. We pledge to conduct a confidential search. We encourage diversity in the work place. E.O.E.