The New Jersey State Museum seeks a seasoned museum professional to serve as Executive Director and lead the institution as it continues to serve diverse communities. Candidates must foster strategic collaborative relationships among a committed team including board members, staff, New Jersey State Museum Foundation, and community stakeholders, as well as other agencies in state government, to advance the mission of the Museum.

Established in 1895 as an agency of New Jersey state government, the New Jersey State Museum has collections, exhibitions and programs in five areas – Archaeology, Cultural History, Ethnography, Fine Art and Natural History. With collections numbering over 3 million objects, a technologically advanced planetarium, and multilayered programming, the Museum serves a broad spectrum of constituencies.

Core Priorities

• Guiding Trustees and staff in achieving the Museum’s long-term goals and vision;

• Developing effective relationships with the Trustees, Foundation and staff, finding ways to bring forth new ideas and initiatives, and enabling supporting resources;

• Fostering a transparent and collaborative culture, including open communications with

staff and Trustees;

• Championing museum best practices, most critically with respect to collections stewardship, exhibition and program planning;

• Ensuring curatorial and programmatic vision and leadership for the Museum’s direction and development;

• Providing effective human and fiscal resource management; holding individuals accountable for specific and collective performance; and providing direction and enhancing morale.

Outward Priorities

• In partnership with the Foundation, executing a successful, multifaceted fundraising strategy that builds trust along with increased capacity and sustainability;

• Promoting the Museum regionally, including strong and positive identity messaging and brand vision;

• Planning and executing a balanced and innovative exhibition and education program calendar consistent with the Museum’s outstanding multidisciplinary collections and commitment to lifelong learning;

• Promoting the Museum’s commitment to scholarly research;

• Continuing to define the Museum’s audiences clearly and broadly, and presenting successful strategies for audience engagement and enhanced visitor experience;

• Developing collaborative working relationships with established and emerging members of

New Jersey’s cultural, scientific, educational, government and business communities, as well as

institutional peers and leaders in the museum field.

Job Requirements
The Candidate

The Executive Director will be an experienced leader with a proven record of successful management, and an ambassador with an intellectual curiosity, broad worldview and compelling vision. The ideal candidate should possess leadership skills, managerial and planning experience, and a proven track record in fundraising and relationship building. A Master’s degree in one of the Museum’s collection disciplines: American History/American Studies/Material Culture, Fine Art, Archaeology/Anthropology, Natural History, Museum Studies, or a related field required, PH.D. preferred; plus five years experience in a senior management position in a museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums or equal time in management of similar or comparable institutions.

The Executive Director will have or be:

• Accessible and collaborative, compassionate, adaptable, outgoing, and one who enjoys the social demands of the position;

• Integrity, fairness, decisiveness, and good and tempered judgment;

• A deep and passionate love of, and a commitment to, the highest levels of scholarship and education;

• Credibility and extensive experience in the field, and the networks to prove it;

• An enthusiastic and effective fundraiser;

• An innovator, with a vision of the future of museums;

• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to be effective under pressure and handle constant multitasking and diverse constituencies;

• The experience and ability to manage financial operations;

• Exceptional writing, communication and public speaking skills;

• A self-starter able to bring an entrepreneurial spirit to an established institution; a track record of coalescing others around objectives and their successful implementation.

Salary: $110,000. Applicants should submit the cover letter and curriculum vitae; and arrange to have three confidential letters of reference sent, by May 11, 2015 to:

Kathleen Kisko

Kathleen.kisko@sos.nj.gov

Subject: Executive Director Search Committee

New Jersey Department of State is an EEO/AA Employer

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Contact Person: Kathleen Kisko
Email Address: kathleen.kisko@sos.nj.gov