Assistant Executive Director [Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum]

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum (SCVM) is a unique combination of mansion, marine and natural-history museum, planetarium and park. The Vanderbilt, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), is opening a search for an Assistant Executive Director. Areas of responsibility include administration, with an emphasis on education and exhibits, and to discharge the duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director in his/her absence.

The Vanderbilt is a diverse institution that serves 100,000 visitors annually, including 45,000 schoolchildren. The state-of-the-art Planetarium with its 60-foot dome is one of the finest and most advanced in the country. In addition to the Planetarium, the Vanderbilt operates Discovering the Universe, an outreach astronomy program housed in a 37-foot mobile classroom that visits area schools. The Museum includes 18 wild-animal dioramas, the world’s largest specimen of fish taxidermy (a 32-foot whale shark), the largest assemblage of privately collected, pre-atomic-era marine specimens, a 3,000 year-old mummy, and other significant natural-history collections. The historic Mansion is a time capsule of the privileged life of the Great Gatsby era on the Long Island Gold Coast.

The Museum is guided by its mission statement: “The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum — a unique combination of mansion, marine and natural history museum, planetarium and park — is dedicated to the education and enjoyment of the people of Long Island and beyond. This mission shall be achieved through the thoughtful preservation, interpretation and enhancement of the Eagle’s Nest estate as an informal educational facility. Many exhibition and program themes focus on Long Island’s Gold Coast Era and upon William K. Vanderbilt II’s desire that his marine, natural history and ethnographic collections promote appreciation and understanding of the marvelous diversity of life, other cultures, and scientific knowledge. Planetarium programs focus on science and astronomy and seek to capture William K. Vanderbilt II’s sense of adventure and exploration.”

SCVM has undergone significant changes in recent years, and is now poised to expand its education and public programs, and to develop new exhibition programming. The ideal candidate will work well with staff to set vision and strategy for education and interpretation throughout the Museum, Mansion, Planetarium and Park, and to provide oversight and management of all departments assigned, including, but not limited to, education and exhibits.

Advanced degree in the physical or biological sciences from an accredited college or university that is compatible with the collections of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, and at least five years’ experience in an administrative position at a museum, or five years’ managing or monitoring historic properties in either the public or private sector; or

BA/BS degree from an an accredited college or university in the physical or biological sciences from an accredited college or university that is compatible with the collections of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and least two years’ experience in an executive management position at a museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and five years’ experience successfully managing or monitoring budgets and finances for historic properties or museums in either the public or private sector.

Interested candidates should submit the following:

· Cover letter expressing interest in the position and outlining relevant experience,
· Detailed curriculum vitae, and
· Three reference letters.