Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Director of the Library of Performing Arts at the New York Public Library

Job Title: Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Director of the Library of Performing Arts 

Job Status: Full-time

Location: New York, NY

Salary:  $245,000 – $285,000

Description

The Organization:

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (“LPA”) houses the world’s most extensive combination of circulating, reference, and rare archival collections in its field. Its divisions include the Jerome Robbins Dance Division, Music & Recorded Sound Division, and Billy Rose Theatre Division, joined by departments dedicated to Access Services, Circulating Collections, Public Programs and Exhibitions.

The materials in its collections are available free of charge, along with a wide range of special programs, including exhibitions, seminars, and performances. An essential resource for everyone with an interest in the arts – whether professional or amateur – the Library is known particularly for its prodigious collections of non-book materials such as historic recordings, videotapes, autograph manuscripts, correspondence, sheet music, stage designs, press clippings, programs, posters, and photographs. Scholars from across the nation and the world utilize the comprehensive collection of rare and unique materials to deepen their knowledge of and scholarship about the Performing Arts.

The Role:

Location:          New York City

Reports to:      Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Research Libraries

            Direct Reports:            Deputy Director, Operations & Strategic Initiatives

Associate Director, Collections & Research Services and Curator, Jerome Robbins Dance Division

Associate Director, Creative Design & Exhibitions

Manager, Special Events

The Fleischman Director is the senior leader responsible for the management, fundraising, budget, and visionary leadership of LPA.  Reporting to the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Research Libraries at the New York Public Library, the Fleischman Director works with a talented team in managing LPA’s day-to-day operations, spanning 90-staff, 8 million artifacts, and a 100,000 sq ft Library facility. Furthermore, the Fleischman Director cultivates external relations among benefactors, the media, and the performing arts community.  This individual serves as an active and engaged partner with NYPL’s senior leadership team to bring wider recognition, currency, and access to the LPA’s collections and rich program offerings in support of lifelong learning, steering LPA’s activities while aligning work within broader institutional goals.

Opportunities & Challenges:

  • Audience Development:

Raise the profile of the LPA’s collections and work.  Draw new, multi-generational, diverse audiences through exhibitions, public programs and strengthened ties with peer organizations and the cultural sector at large, stimulating attendance, fundraising, and general support.

  • Fundraising:

Develop a comprehensive approach to fundraising in partnership with the NYPL Development team, supporting the growth of LPA’s annual giving for operations and in support of strategic priorities, including acquisitions, collection management, preservation and digitization. 

  • Access:

Promote excellent public service and user experiences, and deeper connections to the collections both for the next generation of researchers, and for the public at large.  Spearhead an inspiring strategy for exhibitions, public programs and outreach that draws on, and increases visibility and understanding of, LPA’s diverse collections. 

  • Leadership & Change Management:

Guide LPA staff through a leadership transition, reinforcing shared goals and re-energizing morale. Provide strong, transparent direction, working to align functions behind a clear vision, reinforcing a positive and inclusive organizational culture, developing stronger ways of working, and mentoring the senior leadership team.  

 

Requirements

Major Responsibilities:

  • Champion the work of LPA’s senior management team while aligning LPA efforts with NYPL’s institutional mandate and strategic plan.
  • Maintain NYPL’s standards of excellence and innovation in collecting and making materials discoverable and accessible to scholars, educators, creative professionals, and the general public.
  • Provide leadership and management of budget, operations, capital projects, exhibitions and programs.
  • Develop and promote public programming and exhibitions that explore and illustrate the performing arts that will attract and inspire the multi-generational, diverse audiences of LPA.
  • Oversee a robust communications strategy by proactively fostering LPA’s reputation and standing through the use of social and traditional media that promotes LPA-related news, programs and exhibitions.
  • Work closely with the Mellon Director and the NYPL Development Department to cultivate, inspire and solicit donors, develop fundraising strategies and secure contributions to support individual projects, broader cross-disciplinary priorities, and annual operating support.
  • Foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion for staff and patrons.
  • Recruit, motivate, develop, mentor and retain a highly-skilled, diverse team at all levels.

The Person:

Ideal Experience:

  • Ten (10) or more years of progressively increasing management responsibility.
  • A deep commitment to, and passion for, the performing arts as evidenced by prior roles.
  • Capacity to promote and manage a public institution that is both an internationally renowned research library and an important cultural center to the performing arts community.
  • Demonstrable experience working effectively with staff at all levels.
  • A proven ability to manage strategically, impact and influence key stakeholders, transform complex organizations, and innovate in and with a diverse community.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate vision and inspire diverse constituencies, including staff, donors, Board members, and high profile members of the performing arts community.
  • Demonstrable experience in budget and resource development and management.
  • Advanced academic degree required; terminal degree preferred.

Critical Competencies for Success:

  • Delivering Results:

Sets high standards for quality, metrics, and timelines. Focuses on patron needs and satisfaction. Consistently achieves project goals.

  • Persuasion and Influence:

Gains clear agreement and commitment from others by persuading, convincing and negotiating. Makes effective use of processes to influence others.

  • Adaptability and Flexibility:

Demonstrates willingness and ability to elicit feedback, listen to multiple perspectives and respond to changing circumstances & expectations.

  • Leadership:

A confident leader who can build, motivate, retain, and lead a strong, diverse team of people who collaborate to achieve results; able to create an exciting environment that attracts and supports star performers.

  • Digitally Fluent:

Knows how to partner with digital leaders in creating digital service experiences.

Other Personal Characteristics:

  • A high energy leader who is enthusiastic about guiding and communicating the mission of LPA, both on site and at such locations as the mission and needs of the organization demand.
  • The ability to anticipate problems, resolve ambiguity, and take decisive action with diplomacy and tact.
  • Integrity, empathy, emotional intelligence, and cultural agility.
  • Strong record of scholarly and community engagement.

Compensation:

  • The NYPL offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment.
  • Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with skills and experience.
  • For this position, the salary is $245,000 to $285,000. Internal equity considerations and the average salary of the peer range will be reviewed before making a final offer.

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