Assistant Director [Gund Gallery]

The Assistant Director is a full-time exempt position held by an individual that is both knowledgeable in modern and contemporary art and possessing significant arts management experience to manage key aspects of internal and external relations for a rapidly growing three-year old contemporary art museum—the Gund Gallery at Kenyon College—a unique combination kunsthalle and collecting institution where the best art and artists of the 20^th and 21^st centuries are a centerpiece of a traditional liberal arts education and our wider community.  The Assistant Director’s primary areas of responsibility include communications, development activities, financial management, and programmatic support.  The Assistant Director will support the Director in the administrative areas of governance, fundraising, budget and finance, operations and policy development and implementation. Where appropriate and in close collaboration with the Director and other Gund staff, the Assistant Director will represent the Gallery in its work with College administrators and faculty across the campus.  He or she is responsible for working closely with the Director and other Gund staff in directing a dynamic Gund Associates (intern) program, an important focus of the Gallery’s mission.  He or she will also be responsible for website and social media content development and shared day-to-day operations and office routines.  The Assistant Director will organize and administer the museum’s curatorial and educational mission, as well as have an understanding of College policies, procedures and programs related to the administrative department.  The Assistant Director is supervised by the Director.

I. Essential Function of the Assistant Director

A. Communications and Public Relations

Coordinate the production and distribution of the museum’s public relations and publicity materials to ensure timely and wide notification of Gallery news and programs.  Support College communications of Gund Gallery exhibitions, programs and special news; ensuring branding and co-branding opportunities are maximized and contractual agreements with donors, artists and others are honored.  Publicize Gallery exhibitions and events by producing effecting press packets and securing media coverage.  With the Administrative Assistant, direct student interns in projects related to public relations initiatives.  Assist the Director in preparing Gallery Board meeting materials, donor and trustee communications and program planning, and other development and advancement duties, as needed.  Direct the Administrative Assistant’s day-to-day work on web, social media and digital communications while making strategic improvements in coordination with the Director and other staff.

B.  Development and Fundraising

The Assistant Director will be responsible for working with the Director, as well as Gund board members, in managing a range of development and fundraising responsibilities.  He or she will assist the Director in managing aspects of a “Friends of the Gund” program and corresponding benefits, including special events in other cities and regions.  He or she will assist the Director and Kenyon’s College Relations staff in preparing foundation and government grant applications and reports, individual donor solicitations and communications, and cultivation research and activities. In addition, the Assistant Director will help manage development-oriented on-campus events and programs, ranging from faculty and staff activities to alumni and parent programs.

C.  Gund Associates

The Assistant Director will be responsible for managing a robust undergraduate internship program, with assistance from the Administrative Assistant and in consultation with the Director and other Gallery staff.  The Assistant Director will manage the day-to-day activities and assignments of the Gund Associates, ensuring their preparedness to run community education programs, give tours in the gallery, and produce ongoing curatorial and communications related projects, among other activities.  As the internship manager, the Assistant Director must maintain an excellent rapport with students and garner their professional respect.

D. Financial Administration

Prepare and monitor Gallery project and program budgets, monitoring project expenses and maintaining grant budgets and reports, in coordination with the Director and Administrative Assistant.  Assist in the production of quarterly and annual reports.

E.  Exhibitions and Program Support

With guidance from the Director and in collaboration with other Gund staff, the Assistant Director will help support the organization, research, design and installation of exhibitions and projects.  The Assistant Director will oversee the logistical coordination of a wide range of Gallery events (lectures, openings, workshops, etc.) in cooperation and consultation with the Director and Gund staff. In coordination with the Administrative Assistant, ensure receptions, including technology, entertainment, catering, décor, and scheduling are contracted, staffed and well-run.

G. Basic administration

The Assistant Director will help direct the day-to-day management of the Gallery’s many projects and communications. He or she will work closely with the Administrative Assistant in maintaining organization and filing systems, communications, and general operations.  The Assistant Director and Director will oversee recordkeeping for Gallery events and attendance. The Assistant Director will also monitor the work of the Administrative Assistant in processing incoming and outgoing mail, deliveries and coordination of mass mailings in conjunction with exhibitions and events.

II: Supervisory Responsibilities

Some supervision of the Administrative Assistant, student workers, volunteers, and interns.

III: Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office environment and a gallery setting.  The ability to lift boxes or items of 30 pounds or less and move tables, chairs, pedestals and other items needed for meetings, events, exhibition installations, and similar functions is required.  Some travel will be required for board meetings and development related activity.

Minimum Qualifications

MA or MFA degree and minimum of five years museum/gallery experience required.  Experience with web, social media and app technology.  Computer literate, with knowledge of Word, Excel, InDesign, WordPress and other software. Experience with financial management, databases and mailing lists. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail necessary. Knowledge of public relations and fundraising required. Ability to handle and balance substantial administrative detail and a wide variety of related tasks; to communicate and deal effectively with people; and to take initiative and to work with minimal supervision essential.