Curator in Charge, European Sculpture & Decorative Arts

The Metropolitan Museum of Art•New York, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Curator in Charge is the intellectual and administrative leader of the Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (ESDA). The Department is among the largest in the Museum, with over 60,000 objects in its collection and over fifty galleries centered on the first floor. Its centrality within the building is augmented by its proximity and relationship to departments with which it is in active dialogue, including Medieval Art, the American Wing, the Michael C Rockfeller Wing (African Art, Oceanic Art, and Ancient American Art), European Paintings and Asian Art. Through new scholarship, ambitious acquisitions, inventive display, and active programming, the collection is presented within the context of global creativity. The next years will see the opening of significant permanent galleries and a series of important exhibitions organized by the ESDA staff. You will provide an overarching vision for the department, establishing strong, ambitious leadership, fostering a culture of scholarly innovation, international connection, and overall excitement about work at The Met. You will support and advocate for the department’s staff throughout the institution, while fostering collegiality and collaboration within the team. You will set priorities, solve problems and establish workflows, focusing on the care of the collections. You will actively encourage groundbreaking and timely areas of research and programming. You will also be the department’s ambassador, clearly articulating its role for museum supporters and the public.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Art History with a concentration in relevant field preferred
Minimum ten years’ experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities required
Successful conceptualization and curation of major international exhibition required
Recognized achievement for expertise and scholarship in the field stretching across various regions and cultures of the collection
Good working knowledge of European and other relevant languages required
Strong record of publications in the field required
Strong communication and interpersonal skills required
Ability to manage staff and to work collaboratively and efficiently within the department and cross-departmentally

Responsibilities

Lead and motivate a team of curators, researchers, collections staff, technicians and administrators caring for a collection spanning Europe over many centuries in both sculpture and the decorative arts
Direct and manage departmental special exhibitions, installations, research, publications, public programming and acquisitions
Manage the ongoing care of the galleries and ESDA’s storage areas
Oversee an acquisition program that adds exceptional objects to the collection, working with collectors and donors
Continue the department’s role as a center for scholarship both internally and in the broader academic world
Carry out research in your own area of expertise
Develop programs for ESDA Friends groups and the Visiting Committee
Other duties as assigned

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
Free financial-planning services
Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
25% discount for staff in Museum shops
A subsidized staff cafeteria
Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions