Overview:

The Oakland Museum of California values are fundamental to our institutional culture and guide our work together.

Excellence: We are committed to excellence and working at the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

Community: We believe everyone should feel welcome and part of our community, both within the Museum and with our visitors and neighbors.

Innovation: We embrace innovation and calculated risk-taking to achieve our mission.

Commitment: Our work at the Museum demonstrates a sense of purpose and a shared accountability for the institution’s success.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Curatorial Affairs provides leadership to OMCA in directing and supporting a team of Curatorial and related staff, working across disciplines to develop and implement gallery and exhibition experiences that engage the diversity of Oakland audiences in conversation and exploration of issues and ideas that matter, and help the Museum achieve its mission and business goals. This position also directs OMCA’s collecting activities, working closely with the Collections Team to establish priorities and plans for collection care, research, documentation and access.

Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following reflects OMCA’s definition of essential functions for this position, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. OMCA may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support the Museum’s mission, values, vision, and core commitment to the visitor experience, community engagement, and institutional relevancy for the future
  • Contribute to and support the OMCA strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity advancement
  • Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives
  • Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Collection Responsibilities

  • Lead OMCA’s collecting activities in keeping with the goals, protocols and guidelines articulated in the Museum’s Collecting Plan and Policies including chairing regular collection and acquisition review meetings with LAB colleagues; collaborating with LAB Administrative Coordinator to prepare agendas and documentation for Collections Committee meetings; partnering with Collections colleagues to ensure the high quality and consistency of collection research and documentation
  • Collaborate with colleagues in Collections to develop multi-year and annual priorities and plans for collection care, research, documentation, digitization and access
  • Lead annual planning, and direct process and protocol for acquisitions and de-accessions in keeping with OMCA’s Collecting Plan and Policies; prepare justifications and presentations related to proposed acquisitions/de-accessions as required
  • Direct and supervise the activities of interns and volunteers, as required

Core Gallery and Exhibition Responsibilities

  • Lead the creation of the vision and strategy for the core galleries in collaboration with the Center Director and Director of Exhibition Strategy and Senior Curator of Art
  • Lead the development of both multi-year and annual plans for core gallery activities that meet OMCA’s business and mission priorities – includes balancing the creation of compelling visitor experiences with responsible collection management/care and meeting the mission and business needs of the organization; collaborating with leadership in Public Programs and Learning Initiatives to develop core gallery related programming; collaborating with colleagues in Collections and Production to ensure activities can be achieved within institutional resources
  • Develop, in partnership with the curatorial team, experience developers and outside collaborators, new models of participatory, visitor-centered gallery experiences and exhibitions based on research, evaluation, and visitors’ diverse learning styles and motivations; partner with leadership colleagues in Lab to develop and exhibition ideas that will meet institutional priorities, and to prepare and assess proposals and business cases for major projects
  • Supervise and support curatorial participation throughout the process of exhibition proposal development and implementation

Project Management and Administration

  • Lead and serve on cross-functional teams and committees
  • Participate in Center and cross-institutional priority setting, and strategic and annual business planning
  • Direct and supervise the day-to-day activities of the curators including priority setting, coaching, and performance management; participate in OMCA’s performance management and staff development programs
  • Develop, negotiate, and monitor professional services contracts
  • Recruit, supervise, coach and train project collaborators, staff, volunteers and interns
  • Develop and steward collection donor relationships in partnership with Center Director, CEO and leadership in Development and Enterprise departments; identify new donor prospects amongst local collectors, businesses and philanthropists
  • Contribute to the development, writing, implementation and reporting of major grants; participate in the development of corporate and other partnership proposals
  • Contribute to the development and writing of public relations and external communications materials as needed
  • Cultivate a network and community of experts, thought and cultural leaders, and change makers as potential future collaborators and partners
  • Keep abreast of developments in the fields of California history, art, natural science exhibitions, museums and related events; stay current with general museum news nationally and internationally
  • Engage in public outreach in the form of lectures, tours, research assistance and media appearances and serve as a spokesperson for the Museum with general public and media

Qualifications:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A combination of experience and education that demonstrates possession of the necessary knowledge and abilities for this position is required as noted:

  • M.A. degree in relevant field such as museum studies, art, art history, cultural studies, history or equivalent work experience required
  • 7-10 years of related experience required
  • 4+ years leadership experience required

 ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

  • Demonstrated leadership in museum field specifically related to curatorial, collections and exhibition development work;
  • Demonstrated ability to direct, coach and motivate teams of both direct reports and other colleagues;
  • Exceptional communication skills and experience with general public, donor groups, press, external and internal stakeholders;
  • MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Google Apps

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently exposed to the following:

  • Noise, such as groups of people working in enclosed areas
  • Typical office environment
  • Ability to lift up to 25 pounds

EEO STATEMENT

The Oakland Museum of California is a multicultural organization, committed to diversity and practicing equal opportunity employment in recruitment and hiring. Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for open positions.