Richard J. Schwartz Director of the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Cornell University invites applications and nominations for the Richard J. Schwartz Director of the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art. DO NOT APPLY THROUGH THE CORNELL SYSTEM FOR THIS POSITION, INFORMATION MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLY TO RUSSELL REYNOLDS ASSOCIATES AS INDICATED BELOW. To Apply Cornell University has engaged Russell Reynolds Associates, the global leadership advisory and executive search firm, to lead this search and prospective candidates are invited to contact Russell Reynolds Associates directly. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential. For more information or to apply for the role, please reach out to [email protected] . All applications should include a resume and a brief statement of interest. The Department The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art opened in 1973. Designed by I. M. Pei & Partners, it is named for benefactor Herbert F. Johnson, a distinguished graduate of Cornell’s Class of 1922, the late president and chairman of S C Johnson of Racine, Wisconsin, and a Cornell University Trustee. Since its beginning, the Museum has been open to all without charge. Given Cornell University’s land-grant status and its mandate to play an important role in the community, the Johnson Museum continually seeks to fulfill its cultural and educational responsibility to serve a broad and diverse audience. Today, the Johnson Museum’s permanent collection numbers more than 40,000 works, spanning six millennia and encompassing art from most world cultures. Among the strengths of the collection are the holdings of Asian art; prints, drawings, and photographs ranging from the fifteenth century to the present; modern and contemporary painting and sculpture; European art from ancient times to the present; African sculpture and textiles; and pre-Columbian sculpture and ceramics. The Opportunity The Richard J. Schwartz Director will set strategy and vision, ensure effective management of teams and resources, and cultivate support for the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art. They will deepen a culture of collaboration and will ensure that Cornell faculty and students, as well as the broader Finger Lakes community, see and utilize the Museum as a vital learning resource. The Director has primary responsibility for all aspects of the Museum's operation, management, and resources. Working in close partnership with the University’s development team, they will serve as the Museum’s chief fundraiser and relationship-builder. The Director sets the artistic direction, exhibition strategy, educational approach, and acquisition plans for the Museum. They serve as an advocate for the knowledge that can be gained from the direct study of and engagement with works of art and material culture. They are responsible for the management and development of the University’s art collection, and for driving the acquisition of new objects. Candidate Profile The ideal candidate will be an inspiring, strategic, and collaborative leader who brings a deep commitment to the role of the university art museum as both an academic resource and a public-facing cultural institution. The candidate should have a Master's Degree with significant (7-10 years) museum experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience), including with curatorial practice and exhibition planning, education programming, operations, fundraising, public relations and/or marketing, and budget management. They should possess experience in setting direction as well as developing and implementing strategic initiatives within an organization, in addition to a track record of successful fundraising. The candidate will be able to establish credibility with the faculty and relate intellectually with a wide range of disciplines in rich and layered exchange. They will work closely with relevant faculty as well as with the Office of the Provost other key administrators across campus, and the Johnson Museum Advisory Council. They will be energized by the opportunity to build on the Johnson Museum’s strong foundation while advancing its visibility, impact, and long-term sustainability. The Director will bring a thoughtful and forward-looking perspective on the evolving role of museums within higher education and society, along with a demonstrated ability to lead organizations through times of change. They will have a track record of successful fundraising and external engagement, as well as experience managing teams and resources of relevant scale. They will work closely with the Johnson Museum Advisory Council, as well as with the Office of the Provost and other key administrators across campus. Importantly, the successful candidate will embrace the Cornell and Ithaca communities professionally and personally, enjoying the opportunity to live in such a robust and stimulating regional setting. About Cornell University Cornell University is a leading research institution distinguished by its unusual dual identity: a privately endowed Ivy League university and the land‑grant institution for New York State. With this distinctive configuration, the university has a special responsibility to make contributions in all fields of knowledge in a manner that prioritizes public engagement and helps to improve the quality of life in New York, the nation, and the world. Cornell’s mission is to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community. Today, Cornell University consists of 15 schools and colleges. The university is governed by a 64-member board of trustees, which includes representatives from the faculty, students, staff, alumni, and New York State.

Requirements

Inspiring, strategic, and collaborative leader
Deep commitment to the role of the university art museum as both an academic resource and a public-facing cultural institution
Master's Degree with significant (7-10 years) museum experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience), including with curatorial practice and exhibition planning, education programming, operations, fundraising, public relations and/or marketing, and budget management
Experience in setting direction as well as developing and implementing strategic initiatives within an organization
Track record of successful fundraising
Able to establish credibility with the faculty and relate intellectually with a wide range of disciplines in rich and layered exchange
Thoughtful and forward-looking perspective on the evolving role of museums within higher education and society
Demonstrated ability to lead organizations through times of change
Track record of successful fundraising and external engagement
Experience managing teams and resources of relevant scale
Embrace the Cornell and Ithaca communities professionally and personally

Responsibilities

Set strategy and vision
Ensure effective management of teams and resources
Cultivate support for the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
Deepen a culture of collaboration
Ensure that Cornell faculty and students, as well as the broader Finger Lakes community, see and utilize the Museum as a vital learning resource
Primary responsibility for all aspects of the Museum's operation, management, and resources
Serve as the Museum’s chief fundraiser and relationship-builder
Set the artistic direction, exhibition strategy, educational approach, and acquisition plans for the Museum
Serve as an advocate for the knowledge that can be gained from the direct study of and engagement with works of art and material culture
Responsible for the management and development of the University’s art collection
Driving the acquisition of new objects