Executive Director [Jewish Museum of Florida, Florida International University, Miami Beach, FL]

Description

The Jewish Museum of Florida-Florida International University (JMOF-FIU) is a unique cultural and history center that furthers the FIU mission as a world-class, dynamic university, transforming the lives of students and strengthening the community through scholarship, research, public programming, and community engagement. The museum, fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and hosting approximately 50,000 visitors each year (including 4,000 K-12 students), is a vital component of FIU’s strong positioning as a learning hub within the state’s Jewish community and a unique creative presence in the regional arts and cultural scene. It serves as an important outreach platform for the university, engaging students, scholars, local residents, as well as statewide, national, and international visitors. FIU has under its auspices the JMOF-FIU, The Wolfsonian-FIU and the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum-FIU.
One of the fastest growing universities in the United States, FIU has the 10th largest Jewish student population of any university in the United States, with a broad range of Jewish social and cultural organizations, including an expanded Hillel student center. FIU offers a Jewish Studies Initiative, housed within the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, which focuses on Jewish history, culture, religion, literature, political science, and international relations. Centrally located on Miami Beach, the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU forms an important component of FIU’s community outreach.
Through its collections, exhibitions, and programs, JMOF-FIU strengthens FIU’s focus on Jewish studies, arts, and culture. Its offerings augment the dynamism and diversity of these and other FIU programs. Through JMOF-FIU’s documentation and interpretation of Florida’s diverse and evolving Jewish communities, especially through explorations of ethnic identity, immigration, the creation of diaspora communities, and the global Jewish narrative, the museum enriches public understanding and preservation of history. The museum’s holdings comprise approximately 100,000 works ranging from photographs and documents to objects of Judaica and works of art.
JMOF-FIU’s primary venue is a National Historic Register former synagogue in Miami Beach, a powerful and evocative monument to the history of the Florida Jewish community. Its audiences include community members throughout South Florida, as well as students, scholars, and visitors from around the state, nation and world. The museum aspires to be a pre-eminent, nationally recognized, ethnic museum, a center for research and scholarship, and a platform for linking the evolving global Jewish story to the diverse Jewish culture of Florida. JMOF-FIU enhances FIU’s aspirations as a “solutions center” for the community, reflecting the diversity of the immigrant community, contributing to the creative economy, and providing forums for civic discourse.
As a dynamic cultural and intellectual resource of Florida International University, JMOF-FIU will continue to deepen its partnerships with students and faculty, leverage the resources of other FIU departments through powerful collaborations, work with local and statewide communities, and foster cross-cultural tolerance, understanding, and dialogue about the role of diverse populations in building strong and vibrant communities.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

As outlined in the draft of the museum’s strategic plan, the new Executive Director will be able to:

Build on a two-decade record of achievement as a nationally accredited museum, documenting the history of Jews in Florida, creating and hosting acclaimed exhibitions, and providing quality programs and materials for educators and schoolchildren throughout the state.

Lead the effort to develop new sources of funding and revenue in partnership with the university and JMOF-FIU’s Advisory Board.

Enhance the role of the museum’s National Historic Register buildings as a venue for lifelong learning, FIU student participation, FIU faculty presentations and performance, and meaningful civic engagement on pressing community issues.

Leverage the power of digital technology to make JMOF-FIU’s historic collections accessible globally, disseminate educational programs and materials to remote audiences, link the museum’s collections database to other relevant repositories, and invite the public into ongoing dialogue and documentation.

Use FIU student and faculty resources to engage communities throughout Florida in the continuous documentation of past and current Jewish histories, making them accessible through exhibitions, programs, digital formats, and social media.

Foster positive social change on campus and throughout the South Florida region through promoting cross-cultural understanding, the history and evolving context of the immigrant experience and diaspora communities.

Build and promote 21st century skills throughout the FIU student body through programs that foster critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and innovation, global awareness, civic literacy, collaboration, initiative and self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, and leadership.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Florida International University is seeking an energetic and entrepreneurial leader to direct the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. The Executive Director, reporting to the Provost, will bring vitality and direction to the museum, working closely with the museum’s Advisory Board and staff, university administration, faculty, and students, as well as external partners, to enhance the museum’s cultural and educational mission; to augment its financial resources; and to develop and implement short- and long-term strategic plans. The Executive Director must be creative and passionate, able to define and implement a dynamic vision for the museum, and must possess demonstrated skills in fundraising, financial management, audience development, and decision-making. The Executive Director serves as the organization’s spokesperson to all constituencies, both external and internal, increasing awareness of the museum by clearly articulating the museum’s ambitious goals and programs. The new Executive Director must be a bold, experienced, entrepreneurial, and visionary thought leader with the drive, focus, and energy to highlight, develop, and expand the museum’s areas of strength.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Define and implement a vision for JMOF-FIU to integrate further into FIU and to become a vibrant cultural institution in Miami.
• Serve avidly and passionately as the museum’s chief fundraiser.  With the assistance of the JMOF’s Advisory Board and the Director of Development, the Director oversees the creation and implementation of fundraising strategies that enable the organization to meet financial and resource development goals necessary to carry out its programs, operations and maintenance of its historic properties.  The Director will also work closely with FIU to secure maximum state, county and local funding.  The Director will actively engage on a regular basis with private donors, cultivate new donors, and think beyond traditional sources to identify unique funding opportunities.
• Provide visionary leadership and innovation in JMOF-FIU’s advancement of collections, exhibitions and educational programs in support of the university’s teaching, research and public service missions.
• Identify and implement opportunities to expand the museum’s reputation locally, regionally, and nationally; oversee the development and implementation of an ambitious and extensive exhibition and education schedule as well as an audience development program; identify, cultivate and generate  the resources needed to fulfill the museum’s  mission and strategic priorities, including support for exhibitions and programs, research, capital projects, and endowments.
• Promote sound financial management of JMOF-FIU and its programs, collaborating with the Provost’s office to promote its financial well-being and economic stability; oversee budget preparation and provide financial information to support the museum’s operation, any future construction, strategic planning and implementation, promote best fiscal practices, financial analyses, and the operation of the museum store.
• Promote a culture of transparency, accountability and partnership to promote sound decision making at all levels and in all areas.
• Establish and nurture partnerships with public, private and community organizations and individuals to further the JMOF-FIU’s mission and goals, always with attention to the inclusion of diverse constituencies.
• Provide dynamic community leadership to enhance the visibility and reach of the museum as an exceptional cultural, economic, civic, and university resource.
• Supervise and empower staff, set priorities, cultivate teamwork and open communication, promote diversity, foster a culture of scholarly engagement and service, evaluate performance, and provide opportunities for recognition, training, and professional development.
• Maintain an organizational culture that attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse and highly qualified staff and corps of volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Seven to ten years of responsibility in a museum or a related organization with the past five years in a leadership position; a master’s degree in an academic field that relates to the collections, mission and/or operations of the museum is required; a PhD is desirable.
• Proven fundraising experience and success in generating funds for exhibitions, programs and capital projects.
• A deep understanding of the role of a museum in university education and campus life and a commitment to working with faculty and students.
• Ability to garner the support of volunteers and recognize their contributions.
• Strong managerial, fiscal, and administrative abilities.
• Ability to lead dynamically, passionately, and energetically, and to manage, position, market, and develop an organization.
• Experience in expanding the museum’s role within the community.
• Understanding of and commitment to the research and teaching mission of an academic museum.
• Ability to build on the relationship with the University by working closely and effectively with the Provost, Academic Units, as well as FIU’s museum directors and faculty members.
• Experience in working as a Museum Director with community-wide cultural and educational institutions and a desire to create partnerships throughout the community and in the region.
• Ability to communicate in a simple but persuasive manner, to work in sensitive situations, and to present and represent the museum to internal and external constituencies.
• A good speaker, writer, and strategic thinker who is as comfortable with faculty and students as he/she is with donors and the general public.
• A reputation for the highest level of integrity and credibility.

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY:

FIU is a metropolitan public research university located in Miami-Dade County classified as a top-tier doctoral Research University with highest research activity by the Carnegie Foundation. Founded in 1965, FIU belongs to the 12-campus State University System of Florida and is one of Florida’s primary graduate research universities, awarding over 3,400 graduate and professional degrees annually. The university offers 191 programs of study with more than 280 majors in 23 colleges and schools. FIU offers many graduate programs, including architecture, business administration, engineering, law, and medicine. It is the largest university in South Florida, the 2nd-largest in Florida, and the 4th-largest in the United States. Total enrollment in 2015-2016 was approximately 55,000 students, including approximately 8,000 graduate students.

COMPENSATION:

The position will offer a competitive salary and benefit package.

START DATE:   Winter 2017

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION:

Send resume and cover letter indicating interest, qualifications, and list of three references to:

Linda Sweet or Bill Appleton
Management Consultants for the Arts
Subject: JMOF-FIU
Email to: Mcawall2@gmail.com

Florida International University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.