Executive Director [Museum of Texas Tech University]

Texas Tech University seeks applications and nominations for the Executive Director of the Museum of Texas Tech University. Founded in 1929, the Museum is a multi-faceted educational, cultural and research entity. The Museum’s vast collections, galleries and the Moody Planetarium complement other distinct components – the graduate degree program, the Natural Sciences Research Laboratory, and the Lubbock Lake Historic Landmark. All make important contributions to Texas Tech’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement. The graduate degree program with tracks in Museum Science or Heritage Management has been a veteran leader in academic preparation of museum professionals for more than 40 years. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Museum of Texas Tech University is an internationally recognized, dynamic institution.

The Executive Director reports to the Provost through the Senior Vice Provost. The Executive Director’s main charge is to provide overall leadership in the Museum’s mission to advance knowledge through research- and collections as well as academic and educational programs that engage students, faculty, staff and the public. The Executive Director works closely with the 68 full-time and part-time administrative, faculty, curatorial, support and intern personnel to strive for excellence in education, outreach, curation, and research. Engagement and collaboration with the Museum of Texas Tech University Association, Texas Tech University faculty and programs, patrons and prospective donors, area schools and education groups, other cultural institutions and the community in general are important responsibilities of the Executive Director. The Executive Director has overall charge of the Museum’s budget, finances, personnel, and operations.

Required Qualifications

• A terminal degree or equivalent work experience in a discipline related to one of the Museum’s range of functions or operations.
• Evidence of leadership and administrative experience in senior positions at a university museum or a public or private museum or cultural/educational institution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to advance effectively the mission and vision of the Museum.
• A strong commitment to share enthusiastically through a variety of modalities the vision, mission, strategic plan and accomplishments of the Museum with stakeholders, potential donors and funding entities.
• Evidence of commitment to research, teaching, and academic engagement.
• Evidence of commitment to expansion, preservation and interpretation of collections.
• Proven success in developing cooperative and effective relationships among institutions and their staffs, boards or support organizations.
• Demonstrated fundraising skills and a track record of fundraising successes that include cultivating relationships with private donors, foundations and other funding sources.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating or enhancing a visitor-centered experience that effectively reaches and engages diverse communities and audiences.
• Engaging academic and community constituencies to create dynamic experiences and learning opportunities for school and university students and the general public.
• Evidence of strategic planning skills that includes drafting, implementing and refining an effective plan by engaging a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven abilities in budgeting, financial reporting and the prudent management of an institution’s resources. Experience with nonprofit financial management, collaborating with support organizations or public-based budgeting systems.
• Experience in the creation and execution of effective marketing programs for a museum or similar institution.
• Proven understanding and commitment to ethical standards, legal responsibilities and best practices established by museum accreditation, state and federal law and international covenants.

Expected Duties

• Directing the general administration of the Museum through effective management of personnel and resources and by creating and enforcing policies and procedures necessary for the efficient functioning of the organization.
• Ensuring that employees are appropriately trained and have adequate resources for the efficient delivery of the Museum’s programs and activities and ensuring a safe and friendly environment for employees, students and visitors.
• Leading the development and implementation of the Museum’s strategic plan to accomplish its goals and objectives and align the Museum’s strategic plan with that of the University.
• Providing active oversight of the Museum’s activities, programs and personnel, including exhibitions, graduate academic programs, public education programs, the Natural Research Science Laboratory and the Lubbock Lake Landmark.
• Ensuring the Museum’s collections are properly stored, preserved, and exhibited and that effective collection policy is maintained by curatorial staff.
• Cultivating relationships with other cultural institutions that support and encourage cooperation in efforts to engage the larger community in an exceptional museum experience.
• Preparing budget proposals and working closely with university officials and the Museum Association on budget- and funding- related- matters.
• Ensuring effective oversight of income and expenses and providing periodic reports to appropriate organizations and representatives.
• Leading the Museum’s development efforts by coordinating with the university and the Museum Association to identify and cultivate donors and supporters in accordance with the policies of Texas Tech University.
• Overseeing efforts to increase revenue generated from grants and sponsorships in support of Museum programs, exhibits, research, and operations.

Texas Tech University is a Carnegie classified high research university with a fall 2014 enrollment of more than 35,000 students. The university offers 96 undergraduate, 93 masters and 52 doctoral degree programs in 10 colleges plus the School of Law and the Graduate School. Additionally, 40 online and regional programs are offered through TTU Worldwide eLearning and at teaching sites in El Paso, Junction, Fredericksburg, Marble Falls/Highland Lakes, and Waco, Texas.

With a population in excess of 240,000, Lubbock is located in the area of West Texas known as the Llano Estacado (“staked plains”), and lies approximately halfway between Dallas-Fort Worth and Albuquerque-Santa Fe. The city is the regional hub of government, finance, health care, and education, with agriculture as its primary economic base. The city boasts a rich musical heritage; an expanding arts community; a symphony and ballet; and excellent youth, collegiate, and community sports. The area enjoys an annual average of 263 days of sunshine. Other notable museums in the area are the Silent Wings Museum, Bayer Museum of Agriculture, American Wind Power Center, Buddy Holly Center, Louise Underwood Center for the Arts, Charles Adams Gallery, Caviel African-American Museum, Texas Tech’s School of Art – Landmark Arts Program, and Texas Tech’s National Ranching Heritage Center.

Applications:

All application materials must be submitted on-line through the Texas Tech University application site at http://goo.gl/KsJ9o4.  Applicants will submit a letter of application, current curriculum vitae, a statement of administrative philosophy, a statement of vision for a museum like the Museum of Texas Tech University, and the names of five individuals who may be contacted as references.  Nominations or questions should be addressed to Mr. Matt Brockman, Search Committee Chair, National Ranching Heritage Center, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX  79409; telephone (806) 834-2922; e-mail:  matt.brockman@ttu.edu.  Applications will be accepted immediately and continuing until the position is filled.  Review of applications will begin April 13.  Start date is negotiable with a preferred target of July 1, 2015.

As an EEO/AA employer, the Texas Tech University System and its components will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.