Director of Community Engagement [Northwest African American Museum]

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) opened in 2008 with a mission to spread knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the histories, arts and cultures of people of African descent for the enrichment of all. We accomplish this by taking a community approach to present and preserve the connections between the Pacific Northwest and people of African descent, and to investigate and celebrate Black experiences in America through exhibitions, programs and events. Located in the Central District of Seattle and housed in the historic Colman School building, NAAM has a $1M operating budget, a dynamic professional staff of 13, an engaged Board of Directors, and tremendous community support.

THE POSITION:  NAAM is seeking a knowledgeable, experienced and collaborative professional to serve as Director of Community Engagement.  At NAAM, all exhibit, program, and education initiatives are integral to how we engage with our communities and audiences. Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Director of Community Engagement will provide overall management of NAAM’s exhibitions and public programs, and, as a member of the senior management team, will play a key leadership role in museum-wide strategic planning.   The Director will provide curatorial, program and administrative leadership to create a dynamic and enriching visitor experience, and to establish critical community outreach to educate and engage diverse audiences.  This position is charged with maintaining high standards of excellence to increase NAAM’s profile within the museum field as well as regionally though public programming initiatives, civic and community partnerships, and professional networking.  In all these activities the Director works closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, community committees, and all museum staff, especially those in curatorial, education, public programming, and visitor services.

SUPERVISES:  Public Programs Manager, Exhibitions Manager, Visitor Services and Volunteer Manager

COMPENSATION:  Salary: $ negotiable DOE.  Benefits include medical, dental, vacation and sick time.

WORKING HOURS:   40 hours per week: generally daytimes, M – F, but flexible to accommodate weekend and evening events.

Primary Responsibilities

Curatorial

• Shapes the artistic direction for the Museum and sets clear curatorial goals and policies.
• Conceptualizes and curates original exhibitions, and develops and maintains a 3-year calendar that reflects our mission and vision.
• Builds and maintains relationships with partner institutions, museum colleagues, individual lenders/donors and community groups to further curatorial objectives of the Museum.
• Prepares and maintains curatorial department budget and works with development staff to secure funding and other resources to meet departmental goals.
• Evaluates exhibition proposals for quality, attendance, educational content, cost effectiveness, etc.
• Supervises all aspects of the preparation, cataloguing, presentation, preservation and interpretation of the Museum’s collection.
• Writes and provides editorial review of exhibition collateral and didactic material including briefs, web text, text panels, and other interpretive labels.
• Recruits, interviews, hires, trains, supervises and reviews curatorial staff, and contractors.

Public Programs

• Shapes education and public programs to align and support the Museum’s mission, vision and core values and to complement the exhibition program.
• Oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of all educational efforts and public programs for children, families and adults.
• Builds and sustains relationships with educators, community groups, schools and partner institutions to further the educational objectives of the Museum.
• Identifies and cultivates strategic partnerships with institutions that share similar missions, visions and/or core values.
• Evaluates all educational efforts and public programs for quality, attendance, educational content, cost effectiveness, etc.
• Supervises the preparation and maintenance of education and public programs department budgets and works with development staff to secure funding and other resources to meet departmental goals.
• Recruits, interviews, hires, trains, and supervises and reviews education and public program staff, and contractors.

Administration and Leadership

• Coordinates long-term institutional strategic planning efforts in regard to the exhibition and education programs.
• Provides administrative leadership to the Public Programs Department.
• Supervises Public Programs Manager, Exhibitions Manager, and Visitor Services and Volunteer Manager
• Serves as a resource to Board and acts specifically as staff liaison to the Board’s Program Committee.
• Assists with institutional budgeting, fundraising and fiscal accountability.
• Represents Museum at social and civic events.
• Raises the profile of the Museum by interfacing on a peer level with other regional and national agencies.
• Serves on various committees, boards or panels, and attends meetings demanded by the position.

Essential Qualifications

• Creative thinker with historical knowledge base of African American studies.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups and individuals.
• Demonstrated familiarity with budgets and the budget-development process.
• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, including excellent public speaking skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and manage multiple assignments.

Education and Experience

• Requirements include a Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Preference will be given to candidates with an MA or Ph.D. in Museum Studies, African American Studies, History, Education or Art History.
• A minimum of at least 3 years of progressive experience in a leadership/management position.

All applicants must submit a letter of intent, salary history & requirements, and a current CV by mail or email to:

Rosanna Sharpe, Executive Director

Northwest African American Museum

2300 S Massachusetts St

Seattle, WA 98144

Or: rsharpe@naamnw.org

Please, no telephone calls or unscheduled visits.  Applications accepted until position is filled.

NAAM is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  This position is funded, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.