Executive Director [Susquehanna Art Museum]

SUSQUEHANNA ART MUSEUM

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Executive Director

The Susquehanna Art Museum, having just completed the construction of its first permanent home in Harrisburg’s arts corridor of Midtown, seeks an enthusiastic executive director who will lead the organization into the future. The position requires strong and effective leadership for the successful implementation of the museum’s strategic vision and operations. The executive director is responsible to assure that the operations of the museum are compatible with and in support of the board’s approved vision, mission, strategic initiatives, and policies, and shall have the authority to define a management philosophy, structure, and leadership development process appropriate to fulfilling these responsibilities.

In addition, the executive director is responsible to assure that the quality of the museum’s services and programs are continuously improving and in compliance with all regulatory, legal, and contractual requirements. The executive director, working in concert with the board of directors, has a primary responsibility to assure that the museum is financially sound and operates in conformance with generally accepted accounting policies.

Principal duties and responsibilities:

• Recommend appropriate staffing to accomplish the museum’s goals; hire and supervise staff within the museum’s budget and policy guidelines ; hire, supervise, evaluate, and, when necessary, terminate staff, in accordance with board policy.

• Assure the presentation of a minimum of three high quality exhibitios in the museum’s main gallery per year.

• Assure the development of a compelling artistic vision for the museum.

• Work with the board of directors to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan.

• Assure that the museum’s founding vision as an educational institution is effectively realized.

• Assure the preservation and security of art in the care of the museum.

• Assure that a high standard of housekeeping and facilities maintenance is met within the museum at all times.

• Work to assure the museum has an effective plan to meet national accreditation standards.

• Develop and maintain productive relationships with all constituencies of the museum to include volunteers, the general public, artists, donors, staff, partners, government, the board, members, and the professional museum and research community.

• In concert with the board, present an annual operations budget and approve all expenditures, assuring they are within the board approved budget.

• Work effectively with staff to design and implement museum programs, augment collections, forecast exhibitions, and enhance public relations.

• Generate operational funding for the museum through: grant writing, special events, general fundraising, capital campaigns, membership, museum store sales, internet sales, corporate partners, and foundations.

• Be responsible for the marketing program to include press releases, brochures, and newsletters.

•  Consistent with board policy, oversee the investment and safe keeping of charitable assets held by the museum.

• Assure that all museum assets are properly insured and that directors’ and officers’ general liability policies and all other appropriate insurance coverage is maintained at all times.

Vision & Values

The executive director shall have a key responsibility to assure that the museum’s vision is clearly articulated and, in addition, that there is extensive training, communication, and education that encourage the exploration and application of this vision at all levels of the organization.

Program:

The executive director shall maintain a working knowledge of the appropriate various program opportunities including education, operating regulations, and purpose, as well as provide policy direction, advice, and guidance as appropriate.

Governance Board:

The executive director reports to the board of directors of the Susquehanna Art Museum as a whole and provides advice during policy development.  Once a policy is approved, the board is advisory to the executive director in the implementation of the policy. The director shall work directly with the president of the board in a collaborative process—setting priorities, information sharing, and management of exceptions.

The executive director may act on behalf of the board of the museum when so authorized or directed.

The executive director shall maintain a trusting and collaborative relationship with the museum board of directors, keeping them apprised of significant activities and events.

Strategic Planning and Industry Intelligence:

The executive Director shall assure that The Museum, through the Board of Directors, sets overall purpose and strategic direction.

The Executive director shall maintain an extensive knowledge of social, political and industry trends relevant to the museum’s mission and strategic direction. This is to include participation in professional arts organizations and conferences, continued access to arts information, interaction with experts and consultants and visits to other museums, cultivation of potential funders and development of relations with other key leaders and potential affiliates.

External Relations:

The executive director shall be the museum’s professional representative and chief spokesperson in the community.

Human Resource Development:

The executive director shall assure that the museum incorporates human resource policies and practices that assure the recruitment, retention, and development of employees with the necessary skills, experience and capacities to effectively fulfill the museum’s mission.

Cultural Diversity:

The executive director shall assure that the museum’s services are culturally competent; being sensitive, responsive and inclusive of the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of the communities served.

The executive director shall assure that the rich cultural diversity of the community is reflected throughout all levels of the museum.

Financial Management:

The executive director, with board of directors, shall assure that the museum remains financially strong so that it can be effective in carrying out its purpose.   The executive director shall provide a timely and effective system of financial controls and reporting, and shall assure that financial operations conform with general accounting principles.

The executive director, in concert with the board, shall procure an annual financial audit of the museum.   The executive director shall assure that all payroll and employee taxes are maintained and are current at all times.

Skill set:

The candidate for the position of executive director will have a four-year degree in art or art history with secondary emphasis in museum administration or related business administration  course of study and a minimum of five years’ employment in the museum field or equivalent experience and possess excellent verbal and written skills. Candidates must be forward-looking, creative, energetic, technologically savvy, and able to work in a collaborative manner with diverse constituencies.

Interested candidates or those wishing to nominate others should send cover letter, resume, and a list of three work references to: Tasha James, Office Manager, Susquehanna Art Museum, tjames@sqart.org. The vacancy will remain open until filled. No phone inquiries please.