Department Manager, Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art
Job Title: Department Manager, Painting and Sculpture
Job Status: Full-time
Location: New York, NY
Salary: $65,000 to $85,000
The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for a Department Manager in the Department of Painting and Sculpture who reports to the Chief Curator in both curatorial and administrative matters and who carries out the general directives of the Chief Curator, facilitating communication within the department and with partners across the Museum.
Responsibilities:
- Oversees all administrative functions of the department including policies, procedures, attendance, work stations, equipment, personnel needs, etc.
- Monitors departmental acquisition fund and prepares report of fund balances for acquisition committee meetings. Maintains associated financial records and tracks donor activity with Development. Updates credit lines in TMS for new acquisitions. Prepares list of donors to department for Annual Report.
- Manages logistics of acquisition meetings from planning through execution, including creating and distributing all documents, making shipping arrangements, paying art acquisition invoices, etc. Reviews art acquisition paperwork with General Counsel’s Office. Coordinates with galleries, donors, and artists, in tandem with the Collection Management and Exhibition Registration, on bringing in acquisitions in a timely manner.
- Serves as liaison to members of the Painting and Sculpture Committee.
- Prepares and monitors department’s operating budget, and prepares annual budget proposal. Oversees and authorizes expenditures. Responsible to Finance department for bottom line of yearly budget. Prepares yearly equipment, computer, furniture, and capital budget requests.
- Maintains departmental personnel records and job descriptions. Works with Chief Curator to determine staffing needs and assignments. Advises Chief Curator of staff performance either from direct observance or reports from curators.
- Assists in recruiting and training new staff to ensure their understanding of and compliance with Museum and departmental policy and procedures.
- With Chief Curator, sets department policies and disseminates new information and procedures to department staff.
- Supervises Assistant to Chief Curator and any administrative staff, interns, and fixed-term employees. Serves as liaison between curators and assistants.
- Oversees maintenance of P&S facilities (conference rooms, study centers, office spaces, storage, and equipment) and related inventory and equipment. Manages organization of donor, exhibition, artist, and object files.
- Runs bi-weekly department meetings, in conjunction with Chief Curator.
- Assists Chief Curator in all areas (general inquiries, correspondence). Acts as researcher and project manager as required.
- Accompanies and/or acts as Chief Curator’s delegate in administrative meetings.
- Attends to special requests from Committee Members, artists, scholars, and Trustees.
- Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business or arts administration, and seven or more years relevant experience in museum or gallery administration or equivalent.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- High level of diplomacy, accountability, judgment, and discretion.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Background in history of modern art desirable.
- Management and accounting skills.
- Demonstrated project management and problem-solving skills.
- Strong understanding of both macro and micro views of budget management.
- Strong Excel skills.
- Supervisory experience.
Reports to: The Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art
Supervises: Administrative support and curatorial staff insofar as their duties relate to the general operation of the department.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement: Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).