Deputy Director [The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, NY]

Description

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of The Morgan Library & Museum (http://www.themorgan.org/) is to preserve, build, study, present, and interpret a collection of extraordinary quality, in order to stimulate enjoyment, excite the imagination, advance learning, and nurture creativity.

THE INSTITUTION

The Morgan Library & Museum (“the Morgan”) is a public research library and museum located on a historic site that preserves the original library of legendary financier Pierpont Morgan, whose collections of manuscripts, rare books and art form the basis of the institution.  A global institution focused on the European and American traditions, the Morgan houses one of the world’s foremost collections of manuscripts, rare books, music, drawings, and ancient and other works of art.  These holdings comprise a unique and dynamic record of civilization, as well as an incomparable repository of ideas and of the creative process.

The Morgan collection, which continues to grow, is renowned among scholars and comprises a total of some 500,000 works, including:  ancient Near Eastern seals and tablets; Egyptian, Greek and Coptic papyri; medieval and Renaissance manuscripts; approximately 25,000 drawings and prints from the early Renaissance to the present day including 500 etchings by Rembrandt; tens of thousands of rare books, with nearly 3,000 incunables and one of the world’s finest collections of children’s books; tens of thousands of literary and historical manuscripts; some 25,000 music manuscripts, printed scores and related material; a growing collection of photographs from the invention of the medium to the present; and several vast archives.  Eight curatorial and programmatic departments organize some 20 special exhibitions and collection rotations annually.  The Education Department serves nearly 5,000 K-12 students in addition to its active concerts, lectures, films, tours and family public programs.  The Morgan hosted more than 200,000 visitors in FY 2016 in its 151,000-square-foot facility, which offers four galleries for special exhibitions, as well as installations of collection highlights on view in the Library’s East Room.

The Morgan also has the Drawing Institute to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the role of drawing in the history of art, exploring its centrality in the process of creative expression.  The Thaw Conservation Center opened in February 2002 as a world-class laboratory for the conservation of works on paper and parchment – drawings, prints, illuminated manuscripts, rare books, fine bindings, and literary, historical and music manuscripts – as well as a place for conservation studies.

In addition to these object-based programs, the Morgan’s Gilder Lehrman Hall seats 264 for some of the approximately 50 to 60 programs presented annually.  There is a Morgan Shop, the Morgan Café, the Dining Room and catering services.

The Morgan has an operating budget of approximately $20 million and an endowment of approximately $200 million.  Contributed income and membership constitute roughly 45 percent of the budget, endowment income 40 percent of it and earned income the remaining 15 percent.  The Morgan has 117 full-time and 86 part-time employees and 83 volunteers.

THE POSITION

The Deputy Director is the institution’s second-in-command in service to the Director and mission of the Morgan.  She or he will advise, support, implement and administer programs and projects critical to the programmatic health and vitality of the institution, under the leadership of the Director, as a respected strategic counsel to him, and as a trusted intermediary to and by the staff.  The Deputy Director is responsible for broad oversight of the Morgan’s facilities, marketing and visitor experience.  S/He works with the Director to supervise the Morgan’s curatorial, Library and research service teams, providing the guidance, tools and resources necessary to help departments make strategic decisions which reflect and align with the Morgan’s goals and priorities.

Consequently, it is critically important that the Deputy Director possess the programmatic grounding, sound judgment, and technical and social skills necessary to gain the trust and confidence of the Morgan’s Director, staff and Trustees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Deputy Director is/will be or will:

• As a member of the senior team and the critical strategic partner of the Director, a tireless advocate for the Morgan, its needs and continued excellence;

• Direct, supervise encourage and support the work of the curatorial, conservation and registrar departments, providing guidance with respect to the care, storage, loans, display and interpretation of the Morgan’s unique collection;

• Working closely with other staff in multiple function areas, support the implementation of a dynamic yet well-run exhibition program, ensuring its success through oversight of the coordinating functions, teams, finances and timelines;

• An articulate and persuasive communicator in both spoken and written expression; a consensus builder who can manage toward major goals and inspire broad and deep support to achieve them; uphold best practices while pursuing innovative opportunities;

• Committed to and enthusiastic about making the collections available to and valued by the general public while equally dedicated to services for scholarship and research; supportive of the Director’s efforts to develop exhibitions, programs and services that engage visitors with the materials and ideas that are commensurate with the Morgan’s standards of excellence;

• Provide leadership, strategy and direction; take the lead in introducing or maintaining best practices across the institution, especially as it relates to its daily operations and long-term objectives; able to work with and manage professionals of diverse expertise;

• Through measured engagement and analysis, promote policies and systems that reinforce transparency, accountability and partnership, and encourage sound financial decision making and discipline at all levels; drive efficiencies only as they support the artistic and academic mission of the Morgan;

• Maintain a comprehensive grasp of the Morgan’s budget and other key metrics, collaborating with the Director and Director of Finance and Administration to direct the strategic elements of the budget process; help develop and ensure adherence to budgets in areas of responsibility;

• Provide a positive and collaborative work environment which will enhance productivity and ensure the attraction and retention of quality employees; advance the Morgan’s commitment to strengthening staff diversity at all levels;

• With the Director of Communications and Marketing, enhance and maintain a high external profile with civic and peer institutions to facilitate communication, benchmarking and potential collaboration;

• With the Director of Facilities, ensure the functional optimization of the physical plant by addressing operational, aesthetic, security and safety issues in the most cost-effective manner; assure that the building maintains highest standards for cleanliness and attention to detail in both public and office spaces; coordinate the ongoing capital projects inherent to historic and landmarked edifices;

• With the Director of Visitor Services, oversee and promote the highest standards for visitor services; ensure the efficient and amiable delivery of the Morgan’s box office and visitor services functions;

• Maintain an ongoing dialogue and establish a close working relationship with the Development Department;

• In support of the Director, foster ongoing, positive relations with the Morgan’s key constituencies including government officials, community leaders and media representatives through oversight of the Morgan’s activities and special initiatives as assigned on his/her behalf.

Requirements

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The Deputy Director will be an advocate for the humanities who can command the respect of a strong curatorial team.  The Deputy Director is a seasoned professional with excellent management and team-building skills and the following experience and qualifications:

• A personal connection and corresponding professional credentials in an area of the humanities relevant to the Morgan Library & Museum mission; an ability to lead operations and programming objectives as assigned by the Director ensuring adherence to the highest standards of excellence and interpretation;

• Demonstrated expertise in overseeing operations functions including but not limited to visitor services or experience, security, housekeeping, and facilities;

• A committed strategic partner who can take charge, build consensus, work cross-functionally and affect change; must impart credibility, trust, integrity and enthusiasm; someone who understands the subtleties of motivating staff and promoting a collaborative environment; a willingness to champion Director- and/or department-level priorities;

• A track record of creating and managing strong teams and collaborating with colleagues; the ability to work effectively within the culture of the Morgan;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the presence to serve as an effective spokesperson for the Morgan internally and externally; able to effectively relate to Morgan’s Board, staff and community;

• Emotionally mature, resourceful, empathic and responsive; genuine regardless of audience or agenda;

• An advanced degree, preferably terminal in the chosen field of study.

Please send applications or nominations to Sarah James and Becky Klein at MorganDeputy@PhillipsOppenheim.com.