Deputy Director, Museum Operations for USC Museums

We are guided by our common belief in the power of art to connect us to our deepest humanity and that of others. Our mission is to provide an accessible arts platform to engender campus and community connection, engagement and exchange. We realize that if the intent is to create art experiences that expand perspective and understanding, the most intuitive way to do this is to build new ways of thinking, seeing and taking action into the “making of” all that we do.

Serving as a conduit of exchange, USC Museums connects a broad range of community members, academic departments, artists, centers, and institutes from the inception of an idea through its realization. This interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional fabric from which our art experiences are spun engenders the expanded perspectives we seek to inspire. To live our mission, all exhibitions, programs and initiatives engage two-campus, and two-community partners from beginning to end.

USC Museums seeks a dynamic, collaborative and creative Deputy Director of Museum Operations to work across our unit, campus and community to activate this vision.

Summary of Position

The Deputy Director, Museum Operations (DDMO) is a key member of the USC Museums leadership team with responsibilities for the operation and performance of all functions across both the USC Pacific Asia Museum, USC Fisher Museum of art and campus art initiatives that include finance; business systems and reporting; risk management; information technology; facilities and security; admissions and merchandise; facility rentals; human resources; and third-party contract management. The DDMO works closely with the Museum Director to lead and implement the strategic planning efforts of USC Museums.

Organizational Relationship

DDMO reports to the Director of USC Museums

Position Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the budgeting process for both USC PAM and USC Fisher Museum of Art departments in collaboration with the Director and SBO
• Oversee the approval of staff expenses and financial, operating and audit reports as well as the management of all financial functions across all departments under USC Museums
• Develop and maintain responsive business systems and the information technology systems required to support the functions of both museums according to AAM standards
• Supervise facilities, planning, maintenance, improvement and expansions; as well as the security process appropriate to the Collection and other assets that must be preserved
• Manage proposals, negotiations, contracts and on-boarding with third parties related to all museum functions  
• Oversee the execution of department documents related to USC Museums’ AAM accreditation self-study
• Oversee the execution and continued development of the components for a five-year strategic plan
• Support an on-going effort to streamline exhibition development efforts by working with exhibition coordinators on project management and leading staff meetings related to staff deadline and contributions to exhibition production schedules
• Collaborate with USC’s Office of General Consul to supervisor legal matters on behalf of the Museum
• Working directly with our Human Resources partner at USC and USC Museums Director, manage human resource needs including:
  • Manage recruitment of staff on behalf of museums
  • Plan and conduct new employee orientations
  • Approve all time-off, LOA, and accommodation requests
  • Identify and manage training and development needs for employees
  • Oversee staff compliance with human resources policies and procedures
  • Handle employee complaints, grievances and disputes working with USC HR
  • Administer employee discipline processes

Required Skills and Abilities

Ability to creatively provide solutions to problems while making and implementing decisions quickly and soundly. Ability to assimilate a high volume of information across disciplines and departments, providing leadership and support to senior staff and experts in each of those disciplines. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and exemplify leadership and composure under pressure, while maintaining high morale.

Experience and Qualifications

MBA, Master-in-Arts Administration or Museum Studies required.

Five years of management involving operational and financial disciplines with supervisory experience.

The annual base salary range for this position is $91,755 – $111,973. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Application Procedure:  Please include a cover letter with your CV/resume.  It can be added to the application at the same time/place you add your CV/resume.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Experience in supervising administrative operations of multi-faceted department, preferably within a university setting.