Executive Director at the Morris Museum

Job Title: Executive Director

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Morristown, NJ

Salary: $185,000- $200,000

Description

Executive Director

Opportunity to lead a multidiscipline museum undergoing an exciting transformation

of vision and programs emphasizing art, sound and motion

The Morris Museum is seeking an Executive Director with the vision and ability to fully realize the exciting programmatic direction recently established. Taking inspiration from a 2003 gift of the Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata (one of the finest collections of its kind in the world), the Museum aims to develop dynamic and proprietary multi-disciplinary programming. The Guinness Collection, which combines art, sound, and motion, can serve as a springboard for imagining and implementing inspiring cultural and educational experiences. Additionally, and unique among accredited museums, a 312-seat auditorium/theater space, with a full, proscenium stage can offer films, lectures, performances and other vibrant presentations. 

This fresh, contemporary perspective, through the lens of art, sound and motion, sets the Morris Museum apart. Its proximity to New York City, the strength, diversity and rich history of the Morris County community, and a focus on multifaceted points of engagement offer the next Executive Director a unique opportunity to imagine, build, thrive and grow. 

About the Morris Museum

The Morris Museum was founded in 1913 as a simple curio cabinet at the Morristown Neighborhood House. After several relocations and re-namings over the decades that followed, the Museum purchased the historic Peter H. B Frelinghuysen mansion, Twin Oaks, in 1964. Today this historic building is at the heart of the Museum’s operations. By 1970 building campaigns resulted in gallery expansions and the addition of the Bickford Theatre, offering 125 events per year. A 1990 expansion to the Museum complex resulted in its current 75,524-square-foot facility, 8 acres of grounds and a multi-level parking facility. The permanent collection of over 45,000 objects, includes diverse holdings of fine and decorative arts along with ethnological, geological and zoological materials and a growing collection of contemporary New Jersey artists displayed across multiple galleries including the 4,200-square-foot main exhibition hall. The Morris Museum is the State’s second largest based on exhibition square footage and is the only Smithsonian Affiliate in the State of New Jersey. Its Spark!Lab, a hands-on learning and making space, is only one of 10 such Smithsonian Partner learning spaces in the United States and 50% of attendance is related to families experiencing Spark!Lab during their time at the Museum.

The annual budget of the Museum is set at $2.6 million for 2023. The endowment stands at over $7 million plus $1 million in reserves. There is a staff of 28 full- and part-time along with various contracted performers. The new Executive Director will be charged with further developing the vision and program plan for the Museum. Establishing financial stability for operational and capital needs, refining the collection, and melding audience experiences around the theme of art, sound and motion are key priorities. As the only Smithsonian Affiliate museum in New Jersey, and one of the State’s largest museums, there is ample opportunity to develop audience, support, impact and relevance.

In 2003, the Museum was given the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of 750 historic mechanical musical instruments and automata (mechanical figures) along with thousands of programmed media (a precursor to digital technology), such as punched paper player rolls, drums and discs that transform these media into sound. Coupled with the Museum’s exhibitions and other works in its collection, the Morris Museum is committed to showcasing the multidisciplinary and multimedia intersections of the arts, technology and science. The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to envision, develop and implement a plan to advance the exhibition and collection programs by “Interpreting the past and discovering the future through art, sound and motion.”

The Bickford Theatre presents a diverse mix of music, dance, theatre, lectures, films and periodic site-specific performances throughout the Museum. The result is a growing reputation for presenting emerging and established artists whose work is innovative and defies expectations. During the pandemic the Bickford created an innovative outdoor live music venue on site that was one of the first in the New York/New Jersey area. The next Executive Director will work with the performing arts and public programs team to expand on that vision and to raise support of its programs and operational needs.

The Morris Museum aims to become one of New Jersey’s most dynamic cultural institutions and, serves tens of thousands of visitors of all ages annually. Visitors are drawn from the State and regionally and reflect the social-economic and ethnic spectrum that defines northern and central New Jersey. Though its collection represents the Museum’s early beginnings responding to opportunities to grow, its recent strategic shift will require assessment and recalibration of the collection to develop a more focused identity.

Requirements

Overview of Qualifications and Job Responsibilities

The Executive Director is responsible for all operations of the Museum and is a non-voting member of the Board of Trustees. This is a unique opportunity to advance the Museum by acting on the strategic plan and new vision to build audiences, community engagement and impact. The breadth of the Museum’s offerings, including the mix of arts, science, history, performance and technology requires a multidisciplinary thinker, comfortable leading across diverse, but mission-cohesive programs. The job requires a decisive leader, strategic thinker, engaging fundraiser, networker and champion of the Museum’s unique offerings. It is expected that a candidate will have experience managing a cultural institution with a record of achievement, an advanced degree, at least 5-years’ experience leading an institution or as head of a large department in a large institution. Fundraising, fiscal management, staff leadership, program development, project management, and building audiences are key indicators. Ability to implement the plan with effectiveness, efficiency, resourcefulness, and energy are essential. The Morris Museum is at a pivotal moment in its long history and the Board seeks a new leader able to realize the vision, seize the opportunity and build on past success.

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills

  • Minimum 4-year college degree, graduate degree preferred.
  • 5 years’ experience managing a cultural institution, museum, performing or cultural arts program or department within a larger institution.
  • Proven fundraising ability with evidence of monies raised, successful donor and sponsorship relations, major gifts, funded projects, grant writing and networking.
  • A record of accomplishments consistent with the strategic goals of the institution/s served.
  • Management experience including budgets, staff, facilities and programs.
  • Expertise in a field of the arts preferred and interdisciplinary experience or managing a multidiscipline facility and programs is a plus.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; able to translate ideas into actions.

Strategy, Leadership, and Staff Development

  • Act on the strategic, artistic and cultural vision to ensure the success of the Museum.
  • Lead all aspects of the Museum’s operations, programs, collections, and facilities adhering to AAM accreditation standards.
  • Develop and manage budgets, ensuring high-quality financial controls, forecasting and reporting.
  • Lead the effort to maintain, develop and expand new sources of revenue, sponsorship and funding.
  • Provide visionary, decisive leadership to staff in a supportive, mentoring, and team-centered work environment.
  • Work with staff to develop and present creative exhibition, performance and education programs that resonate with a diverse range of visitors.
  • Ensure effective utilization, care and development of the physical environment of the museum.

Board Relations

  • Develop and maintain positive Board relations encouraging engagement, participation, financial support, collaboration and networking.
  • Provide full and regular transparency to the board in all areas of Museum functions including finances, operations, staff development and programming.
  • Support the board in its governance and networking roles.

Development and Fundraising

  • As chief spokesperson for the Museum and its chief fundraiser, actively lead fundraising efforts, and identify, cultivate and solicit donors.
  • Create strategies and tactics to strengthen individual giving, grants and sponsorships to adequately fund programs.
  • Strengthen legacy and planned-giving to grow the endowment and ensure long-term financial stability.
  • Establish and maintain donor relations of the highest standards, built on trust, respect and positive relationships leading to lasting support.
  • Support the Development Department to create an effective annual and multiyear fundraising plan.

Exhibitions and Collections

  • Develop an inspiring program of exhibitions and collection presentations
  • Ensure that exhibitions and collections programs adhere to the standards of an AAM-accredited museum.
  • Utilize the collection effectively as a resource to educate, inspire, and engage audiences.
  • Refine the collection through a thoughtful collection master plan building on strengths aligned with the vision for the Museum and its long-term collection goals.
  • Strengthen and build collector relations to achieve the collecting goals. Ensure an integrated brand with the Bickford Theatre programs, building on the art, sound, motion theme to grow overall audience engagement and support.

Public Programs

  • Ensure visionary programming that reflects the communities served and the mission and vision of the Museum
  • Ensure that the programs of the museum adhere to high standards within the theatre sector and that they span live performances, film, lectures and other engaging public programs.
  • Develop strategies and tactics to build new, diverse audiences through relevant programs for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
  • Ensure an integrated brand with the Museum programs, building on the art, sound, motion theme to grow overall audience engagement and support.

Education Programs

  • Ensure an innovative and relevant education program for learners of all ages developed around the art, sound and motion theme and delivered to younger participants through the Spark!Lab. Leverage unique Smithsonian/Spark!Lab affiliation.
  • Support staff to develop STEAM-based education programs and strategies to engage audiences and build participation across all sectors of the Museum experience.
  • Ensure proper assessment of education programs, outcomes and benchmarks
  • Partner with area colleges and universities to develop and expand internship and young audience engagement.

Public Relations and Marketing

  • Ensure an effective marketing plan implemented across all platforms, traditional and online, including website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linked In, etc.
  • Serve as the chief spokesperson for the Museum maintaining positive community relations, networking, and engagement.
  • Promote a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment for all visitors and without prejudice.
  • Ensure effective public relations, marketing and media coverage including an effective and growing online and social media presence.
  • Play an active role in the life of the community and region, building relationships, creating networks to promote awareness of the Museum and its programs.
  • Encourage appropriate collaborations and partnerships that advance the mission.
  • Travel as necessary to develop, maintain and enhance relationships across all support sectors.

Morristown and the Region

Morristown is the County Seat of Morris County, a district of 39 municipalities and home to nearly 500,000 residents. Morristown is located about 40 miles from New York City, including Manhattan and Brooklyn. Personal finance site WalletHub recently named New Jersey #1 among best states to live: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-live-in/62617. Economy, education, health, quality of life and safety were among the key indicators. Though housing is comparatively expensive in Morristown and the region, it offers exceptional geographic location and a nearby multitude of world-class amenities. The region has ample public transportation access. The many adjacent, charming small towns along with big-city access make this one of the most vibrant, diverse areas in the country, with abundant creative talent. Information about other area cultural attractions and Morris County tourism can be found at https://morrismuseum.org/area-atractions/. 

Compensation

The anticipated salary is $185,000 depending on qualifications, along with other benefits. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Morris Museum is an EA/EO employer and actively encourages candidates with diverse backgrounds to apply. It does not discriminate against any candidate or employee based on race, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion or veteran status.

Nominations and Applications are Welcome

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a museum undergoing transformation in a thriving region.

How to Apply

Position is open until filled. Send cover letter, résumé, salary requirement, and names of 3 references and your professional relationship, with contact information to: dankeegan@museumleaders.com References will not be contacted without prior permission of the applicant.