Posted September 16, 2014

Elmhurst Art Museum, an exceptional building of glass and steel encompassing Mies van der Rohe’s McCormick House, five galleries and a thriving center for arts education, seeks an Executive Director to lead the Museum into the next phase of advancement. Located in the western suburb of Elmhurst, thirty minutes from downtown Chicago and accessible by train, the Museum’s award-winning architecture is matched by its high caliber, ambitious exhibitions of contemporary art, robust public programs and events, artist-led community-based projects, exciting roster of art classes and camps for people of all ages and skill levels and one of three houses in the United States designed and built by pioneering modern architect, Mies van der Rohe.

The next Executive Director will be positioned to leverage the support of a strong Board of Directors, a dedicated staff and a reputation for adventurous undertakings to realize future goals, including an education initiative in modern design and architecture, expanding the scope of artist commissions, artist-in-residency programs and exhibitions and ultimately, restore and open to the public, the entire McCormick House.

EAM seeks a thoroughly experienced and visionary leader with high level development experience, deep knowledge of the arts and its significance in society, proven fiscal management and entrepreneurial spirit for its next Executive Director.

 I. MISSION OF ELMHURST ART MUSEUM

Elmhurst Art Museum is a welcoming center to view and experience the visual arts of our time. The Museum galleries, Mies van der Rohe McCormick House, and Education Center enrich people’s lives by deepening their knowledge of art, architecture and design, increasing their understanding of the relevance of visual art in our society and sparking the development of individual creativity.

II. SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Executive Director implements the mission and policies established by the Board of Directors. The ED has overall responsibility to establish and sustain all aspects of Elmhurst Art Museum, including the institution’s mission and vision, fiscal and operational integrity and standard of exhibition and education excellence. The ED represents the Museum in all external affairs and develops the annual budget and strategies to meet EAM’s financial requirements including development and earned-income goals.

III. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Fiscal Management

With final approval of the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for meeting all corporate and legal financial obligations. The ED, with the Director of Finance, will:

1. Establish the Annual Budget.

2. Account for all funds within the Annual Budget in compliance with State and auditing policy and procedure.

3. Provide accurate and timely financial reports to the Finance and Executive Committees.

4. Engage in long-range financial planning and forecasting with senior staff members and the Finance Committee.

B. Development and External Affairs

The ED provides leadership in all fundraising activities, working in partnership with the Board of Directors, identifies, builds and maintains positive relationships with individual, corporate and foundation donors. The ED will:

1. With the Development Committee, set the annual development goals to meet all categories of the fundraising budget and strategize and provide leadership for individual and corporate campaigns and fundraising events.

2. Develop and sustain relationships with members, major donors and cultivate new donors with the capacity to support EAM.

3. Build and maintain successful relationships and strategies with corporate contributors and sponsors.

4. With senior staff members, conceptualize, develop and produce successful proposals for foundations and government grants.

5. Maintain positive relationships with the City of Elmhurst, the Elmhurst Park District and Elmhurst Artists’ Guild and news media.

6. Represent EAM at public events in Elmhurst and the Chicago region

C. Marketing and Community Relations

The ED advances the broadest awareness of EAM’s mission and programs to engage, expand and diversify museum audiences. With marketing staff, the ED, will:

1. Develop a strategic marketing plan that establishes and maintains the Museum’s brand identity.

2. Set the marketing budget and ensure consistent, accurate communications through all marketing platforms.

3. Ensure standards of quality and consistency for design, copy, and content of printed and media communications.

4. Initiate collaborative projects with community organizations to build positive awareness and fruitful relationships throughout the region.

5. Ensure positive visitor relations, including phone, personal, and social media.

6. Represent the Museum at local, regional, and national meetings and conferences, and participate on business-related panels and committees.

 

D. Human Resources

The ED creates and nurtures a positive, fair, and productive work culture for staff members, volunteers, instructors, and affiliates of EAM. The ED will:

1. Hire all Museum staff members based on fair hiring practices and regulations.

2. Maintain all HR policies and procedures outlined in the EAM Personnel Handbook.

3. Review each staff member on a regular basis.

4. Establish raises and bonus amounts within established guidelines.

5. When necessary, terminate staff members according to guidelines established in the Personnel Handbook.

6. When necessary, restructure staff positions according to budget and financial conditions.

 

E. Exhibitions, Education and Public Programs

The ED ensures that Elmhurst Art Museum meets its exhibition and educational

mission and goals. The ED, Chief Curator and Director of Education will:

1. Create and maintain standards of excellence for all Museum exhibitions, education and public programs.

2. Institute effective evaluative methods for the annual review of exhibitions, education and public programs.

3. Build partnerships with artists, public institutions, and private donors to advance and strengthen the Museum’s activities.

4. Represent the Museum to the arts community, and to arts and cultural institutions.

5. Set guidelines for responsible acquisition, reacquisition, care, storage, moving, and archiving works of art owned by or lent to the Museum.

F. Facility, Operations and Administration

The ED ensures professional management of the EAM facility and all regular Museum operations. The ED, with senior staff members, will:

1. Maintain adequate levels of Insurance coverage.

2. Manage the proper care and maintenance of the Museum facility.

IV. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

A. Deep knowledge of and professional experience in visual arts and the principles and practices of museum and not-for-profit administration.

B. Proven experience and expertise in high level fund development.

C. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

D. Experience and comfort in public speaking.

E. Fluency in computer and electronic media skills, including Microsoft Office and Raiser’s Edge

V. REQUIREMENTS

A. Minimum of five years’ experience as an Executive Director or senior level staff within a museum, arts and/or cultural institution.

B. Minimum five years of management experience in fundraising, finance, human resources, marketing and/or program development.

C. Proven record as successful fundraiser

D. Visionary, innovative thinker, leader

E. MA or MFA in art or museum services preferred. Undergraduate degree in art, museum services or related field is required.

VI. STATUS: Salary rate commensurate with experience

VII. HOURS: 40 hours, flexible, some events and special events as necessary

VIII. IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Reports to the President of the Board and Executive Committee

To apply, please email cover letter and CV/resume to hr@elmhurstartmuseum.org.