Director at the Center for Family History

Job Title: Director

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Charleston, SC

Salary:  $65,000.00 – $75,000.00

Role Summary

The Director of the Center for Family History (CFH) will lead the department that facilitates one of the International African American Museum’s (IAAM) most unique, deeply personal, and yet universal journeys: understanding family. CFH is the research arm of the IAAM, focusing on genealogy, with a specific focus on the African American experience. CFH includes a research library, digital collection, courses, programs, and of course a gallery filled with experiences and exhibits that highlight the national and international impact of personal and family stories within the international African American journey. In this role, the department leader will develop opportunities for engagement with our many constituencies, creating resonant, intergenerational programs in alignment with the IAAM’s mission and CFH’s goal to support our visitors in their genealogy journey.

Reporting to the Chief Learning and Engagement Officer (CLEO), the Director of the Center for Family History will serve as a thought partner and key team member within the Learning and Engagement division. As a department leader, they will helm the development of genealogically relevant programming and oversee CFH staff and volunteers. Working alongside their colleagues at the newly opened museum, they will partner with the Chief Learning and Engagement Officer to execute on the first phase of the center’s operations and develop strategies for its growth and expansion to better serve the community.

The successful candidate will understand and reflect the importance of African American genealogy, value the power of personal narratives, the relationship of genealogy to larger questions of international African American history and culture, and the power storytelling, ensuring the unique cultural experiences of African Americans and the African American connection to African and African Diasporic communities and cultures are accessible to a wide and incredibly diverse audience. The successful candidate will bring a broad approach to leveraging a variety of genealogy research and archival tools, and media in support of meaningful engagement with history and history’s impact on contemporary conversations.

Primary Points of Impact

  1. The development and implementation of CFH strategic growth plan in partnership with the Chief Learning and Engagement Officer.
  2. Oversee daily operations of the Center as a key attraction and museum resource.
  3. Design and execute a variety of programs that specifically forward the aims genealogical research and the import of African American genealogical research.
  4. Establish and maintain partnerships with genealogical organizations, research institutions, and community groups in aid of department and institutional goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Management and Leadership

  • Work with fellow institutional leadership to develop processes essential to the productivity of the CFH department, L&E division, and beyond.
  • Cultivate and foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for all visitors and prospective researchers.
  • Oversee and manage CFH department staff, including training and professional development for full and part time team members.
  • Play a key supportive role in nurturing new partnerships and managing ongoing relationships between the Museum and genealogy or subject relevant institutions to extend and deepen the impact of IAAM’s programs.
  • Be prepared to support development priorities —through clear communication of departmental goals and program data, and cross-departmental ideation —to help secure ongoing support for education and public programs.
  • Work collaboratively, openly engaging with marketing, membership, visitor services, fellow L&E departments, and other teams to create a cohesive experience for all visitors.
  • Train and develop Museum volunteers, educators, and interns as relevant to your role.
  • Write and add to the museum’s scholarship and IAAM genealogy blog.
  • Represent the museum publicly, where appropriate.

Program Development and Maintenance

  • Lead a balanced calendar of activations that considers subject matter, participation, and impact.
  • Manage, organize, and execute the planning, on-going operation, and improvement of CFH programs and events.
  • In tandem with CLEO, develop and implement strategic plan for growth of CFH services in alignment with divisional and institutional goals.
  • Consider at each stage of program development, the potential role of community partnership to ensure public programs content aligns with community-identified priorities.
  • Research and apply best practices: regularly evaluate the efficacy of content, curricula, programs, and activities; and advocate for changes and programmatic growth when organizationally and strategically beneficial.
  • Work closely with L&E leadership to create meaningful and impactful programs across departments including but not limited to K-12 education materials and CFH gallery exhibitions.
  • Direct and oversee the professional management of the center’s library and archives.
  • Other duties may be assigned by the executive leadership staff of the museum as needed.

 

Requirements

Required Experience and Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in history, archival studies or relevant field; 5 years of equivalent experience with unrelated degree may be considered
  • A minimum of three years’ experience working and leading in a museum or similar cultural or educational environment
  • Experience organizing and leading various public programs and events
  • Strong research, organizational, analytical and writing skills
  • Ability and commitment to work collaboratively with others
  • Strong affinity for and established knowledge of African American and African diasporic histories specifically as it relates to the challenges of African American genealogy research
  • Value evaluation as a means to improve internal and external programs and relationships
  • Capacity to work and thrive in a fluid and dynamic environment
  • Capacity to develop and manage budgetary expenditures

Preferred Experience and Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree or certification in a relevant field
  • Thinks holistically and strategically with a view that considers other departments and institutions
  • Working knowledge of and interest in contemporary African diasporic studies

Physical Requirements: 

  • Must be able to lift 25 pounds at times.
  • Must be able to access and navigate each area and space at the organization’s facilities.

Salary and Benefits:

  • Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience

Apply via AAM