Director Museum

New Mexico State University•Las Cruces, NM

1d•Onsite

About The Position

New Mexico State University seeks an engaging, dynamic, and qualified Director of the University Art Museum (UAM). The Director coordinates and realizes exhibitions and programming that advance the mission of the UAM and the university while raising the museum’s visibility regionally and nationally. The UAM presents 9 to 12 rotating exhibitions annually and is the premier contemporary visual arts facility in Southern New Mexico. Its collections include the world’s largest collection of 19th-century Mexican retablos, as well as modern and contemporary photographs, paintings, prints and graphics, book art, metals and jewelry, sculpture, and ceramics. The Director reports to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and works closely with NMSU executive positions and the NMSU Foundation. The Director implements policies and procedures in accordance with the museum’s bylaws and American Alliance of Museums (AAM) National Standards and Best Practices. The position is based at NMSU’s main campus in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in the El Paso del Norte region.

Requirements

Associate’s degree and 10 years of relevant experience, or a bachelor’s degree and 8 years of relevant experience.
Knowledge of museum and curatorial practices, including exhibit preparation.
Demonstrated administrative competency.
Experience supervising staff.
Leadership in a collaborative environment.
Experience and success in grant writing.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate across departments and areas of expertise.
Experience overseeing, training, and teaching students in a wide range of museum areas and skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or higher.
Resonance or connection with the unique Southwest and borderland region.
Identification with the UAM’s mission and values, including deep appreciation for the full scope and breadth of its collections and assets.
Capacity to define, communicate, and execute clear priorities within a public, state-funded institution.
Teaching experience.

Responsibilities

Plan and manage the UAM’s rotating exhibitions, with support from the Art Museum Manager.
Coordinate and realize exhibitions and programming that advance the missions of the UAM and NMSU and increase the museum’s regional and national visibility.
Raise, manage, and optimize funding from diverse sources; build lasting donor relationships; and responsibly steward the organization’s resources.
Oversee the museum’s financial, facility, technology, marketing, communications, and human resource functions.
Streamline operations to meet organizational needs.
Oversee the NMSU Permanent Art Collection, budgeting, and acquisitions, with support from the Collections Curator.
Train undergraduate and graduate student employees.
Research and prepare grant proposals.
Serve as a liaison and resource for the NMSU campus and broader community.
Implement policies and procedures in accordance with museum bylaws and AAM National Standards and Best Practices.
Work closely with NMSU executive positions and the NMSU Foundation.