The Wolfsonian-Florida International University is a museum, library and research center that uses the persuasive power of art and design to explore social, historical and technological changes from 1885 to 1945 – the height of the Industrial Revolution to the end of the Second World War.  The collections comprise approximately 150,000 objects, a vast array of paintings, prints, industrial design, furniture, textiles, glass, ceramics, metal, works on paper, rare books, periodicals and ephemera.

The Wolfsonian was founded in 1986 to exhibit, document and preserve the Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection of Decorative and Propaganda Arts.  Opened to the public in 1995, it became a division of Florida International University (FIU) two years later, when Wolfson donated his collection and museum facility to the University – at that time the largest gift ever contributed to a public university in Florida.

The Wolfsonian has received wide recognition for its unrivaled aggregation of modern material culture and its multidisciplinary approach to looking at objects as both agents and expressions of change.  The museum supports scholarship and develops and disseminates critically acclaimed exhibitions, publications and educational programs that highlight the impact of design and propaganda in shaping the modern world.

The Wolfsonian (www.wolfsonian.org) has a staff of 55 and a current annual operating budget of $6.1 million.  It enjoys the enthusiastic support of a 35-member Advisory Board.

THE UNIVERSITY

The museum has been strengthened by its association with FIU (www.fiu.edu), which graduated its first class of students in 1972, making it one of the best universities under 50 years old.  FIU is the fifth-largest university in the nation and Miami’s only public research university.  With a strong commitment to the arts as one of FIU’s four strategic themes, the University has developed a reputation for its innovative and entrepreneurial leadership in both the academic and local communities.  FIU is ranked first in the nation in awarding bachelor’s and master’s degrees to Hispanic students.

FIU is recognized as a Carnegie-engaged university.  Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine.  As one of South Florida’s anchor institutions, FIU contributes $8.9 billion each year to the local economy.  FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time.  FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission, consistently growing its research funding year to year.  FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including:  FIU Downtown on Brickell; FIU @ I-75 in Miramar, Broward County; and the Miami Beach Urban Studios.  FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums – the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum located on the FIU Modesto Maidique Campus and The Wolfsonian-FIU and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, both located on Miami Beach.  FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports.

THE POSITION

With a direct reporting line to the Provost of FIU, the Director of The Wolfsonian will provide artistic, intellectual and strategic leadership with a passion for the mission of the museum and the vision to achieve its full potential, including ambitious programmatic and fundraising goals.

She/he will be responsible for The Wolfsonian’s overall management, including:  its exhibitions and programs; its physical, financial and human resources; its relationship with FIU; its future growth and development; and the professional practices of acquisition, de-accession and preservation of its unique collection.  The Director will take ownership of and, if necessary, revise The Wolfsonian’s 2013 five-year strategic plan and, in collaboration with staff, University administration and the Advisory Board, secure financial resources to enhance visitor services, improve facilities and collections management, access and expand marketing and digital outreach, increase visibility and audience participation, and showcase the museum’s ongoing relevance to the issues facing the world today.

Key institutional priorities for the incoming Director include but are not limited to:

External Priorities

  • Grow funding already pledged toward capital improvements; develop and lead a successful, multifaceted fundraising campaign that fosters community along with financial security, utilizing FIU resources, as necessary and appropriate;
  • With staff, articulate and execute a vibrant, attention-getting and intellectually rigorous schedule of exhibitions and public programs that support the educational mission of The Wolfsonian while engaging a wide range of audiences from the local community to the FIU campus and beyond;
  • Build The Wolfsonian’s institutional identity and visibility with local, regional, national and international audiences while expanding the museum’s digital presence;
  • Engage with local, national and international artists, museum directors and collectors to form collaborative partnerships;
  • Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with civic, foundation and corporate partners in the Miami-Dade community including cultural institution peers;
  • Be a visible and energetic spokesperson for The Wolfsonian on the FIU campus, in the community and in the art world at large.

Internal Priorities

  • Create and implement a master plan for expanded public facilities at the Washington Avenue building, the storage annex and the new downtown space;
  • Form relationships with Advisory Board members and find ways to engage them well to elicit their ideas, efforts, resources and contacts; clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Board and serve as a bridge between the Board and the University; continue to build and strengthen the Board;
  • Develop close working relationships with the President, Provost and other FIU administrators and faculty, keeping the museum aligned with a research university’s priorities and maximizing the financial, operational and programmatic resources the University can offer;
  • Supervise and recruit as needed a highly qualified and motivated staff; delegate responsibilities and authority as appropriate; hold individuals accountable for individual and collective performance; maintain morale and provide direction;
  • Champion museum best practices, most critically with respect to facilities, collection management and exhibition planning;
  • Participate and collaborate with colleagues at the FIU-affiliated Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum and the Jewish Museum of Florida, as well as with faculty, to develop joint programming such as lectures, exhibits and/or formal certificates and degrees.

Job Requirements

THE PERSON

The Director will be an experienced administrator and ambassador whose values align with FIU’s inclusive, forward-facing, entrepreneurial and diverse culture.  The Director will have or be:

  • Deep commitment to art, design and the particular mission of The Wolfsonian; intellectual curiosity and the desire to share his/her knowledge and understanding with staff, donors, faculty, students and other supporters;
  • Demonstrated prowess in fundraising, cultivating relationships with diverse constituencies, and gaining public and private support for important initiatives;
  • Minimum of three to five years of in-depth experience with museum operations, governance and best practices, or leadership experience commensurate with the needs of a world-class public arts organization;
  • Experience working in academic settings or in partnership with academic institutions;
  • Proven organizational skills and ability to focus, prioritize and execute;
  • Capacity to oversee financial matters and multisite operations;
  • BFA/BA degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required; advanced degree in an appropriate discipline preferred;
  • Exceptional communication skills to serve the museum broadly as a local, national and international ambassador;
  • Outstanding interpersonal and leadership qualities; decisive, confident and compassionate;
  • Entrepreneurial spirit; a track record of coalescing others around objectives and implementing them;
  • A self-starter undaunted by a lean institution.

For inquiries or nominations, please contact Mark Tarnacki or Becky Klein at Wolfsonian@PhillipsOppenheim.com.

To apply for the position, please visit http://careers.fiu.edu.

FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal Opportunity, Equal Access Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.