Director of Museum Experience at New Haven Museum

Job Title: Director of Museum Experience

Job Status: Full-time

Location: New Haven, CT

Salary:  $80,000 – $90,000

Description

The New Haven Museum seeks an innovative, enthusiastic professional with demonstrated experience in the fields of museum education and exhibition. This professional will have the vision and capacity to rethink and define the Museum’s programs and exhibitions and the role the museum plays in twenty-first century New Haven and the surrounding region. This individual reports to the Executive Director and is a member of the Museum’s senior management team. 

Organizational Summary 

The New Haven Museum is a vibrant center for exploring the people, places, events, and ideas that have shaped and define the Elm City and its surrounding region.  Founded in 1862 as the New Haven Colony Historical Society to preserve the history and traditions of the Greater New Haven region, the New Haven Museum stimulates inquiry and fosters appreciation of the history and heritage of this locale. The Museum’s collections date to the early years of New Haven and include more than 10,000 decorative and fine art objects and artifacts, an extensive photographic archive (100,000+ prints, negatives, film), and the holdings of the Whitney Library, which exceed 30,000 volumes and 350 manuscript collections, as well as architectural drawings, maps, broadsides, newspapers, and other items. Exhibitions, lectures, events and publications bring more than 375 years of New Haven history to life. With an operating budget of $1.5M, 8 full-time and 6 part-time/seasonal staff, the museum serves over 10,000 visitors annually. The Museum is the steward of two historic buildings: its 1930 Colonial Revival-style headquarters in downtown New Haven, and the historic c. 1780 Pardee-Morris House, which is open seasonally in the CT shoreline community of Morris Cove. 

Job Summary 

The New Haven Museum’s Director of Museum Experience will lead the development and implementation of the museum’s on and off-site exhibitions, education programs, events and activities, as well as initiatives to connect the museum’s exhibitions and collections to a wider audience.

The position oversees all aspects of education programming, including teaching methodologies and frameworks, and school-based programs for students and teachers. It leads the interpretation of the museum’s artifacts and regional history, both within the museum’s walls and throughout the community.

The position is responsible for implementing a robust temporary and permanent exhibition schedule. It leads the design and installation of intellectually lively and welcoming exhibits, including interpretation of the museum’s collection and artifacts secured from partner institutions.

Diversity is at the core of the New Haven Museum. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all staff and guests.

This position is expected to assemble partnerships representing the diversity of the region to inform the development and delivery of exhibitions and programs. 

 The Director of Museum Experience will develop relationships with regional art and culture institutions, forging genuine and lasting partnerships and securing new funding for program activities as needed. With a strong commitment to building a strong and diverse team, the position manages a Programs Manager, Exhibition Guest Curators, Pardee-Morris House staff and Visitors Services staff, as well as works with the collections staff to utilize the Museum’s collections and library in programs and exhibits.

 Salary Range: $80,000 to $90,000

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Works closely with the Executive Director to formulate a vision and goals for the museum’s programming and exhibitions including developing programs, interpretation and interactive elements that supplement and enrich exhibitions.
  • Oversees the implementation of all programming and exhibitions, both at the main museum and at the historic Pardee-Morris House.
  • Works with guest exhibition curators and collections staff to design and install temporary and permanent exhibitions.
  • Understands the importance of audience development and evaluation.
  • Maintains the museum’s leadership of the New Haven District Contest for CT History Day and the America 250 celebrations.
  • Assists in the planning and direction of special events.
  • Works with contracted program presenters and/or scholars.
  • Contributes to newsletter articles, catalog essays, and exhibition text as required.
  • Assures the museum’s educational programs and activities are relevant to the community and museum visitors and are of the highest professional caliber.
  • Writes grants to private foundations and government agencies.

 

Requirements

Requirements:

  • Master’s degree from an accredited four-year college, in history, history education, American history, art history, museum studies, studio art or another discipline related to the goals and objectives of the museum. Knowledge of New Haven history helpful but not required.
  • Minimum seven years of increasingly responsible experience at a museum.
  • Strong demonstrated written and verbal communication, planning, and coordinating skills; demonstrated ability to develop and implement unique and effective programs; ability to work in a team environment; and considerable knowledge of practical and theoretical museum education.
  • Proven success developing desired outcomes or impact plans for visitor experiences.
  • Passion for communicating the value of museums and museum education, and an unfaltering enthusiasm for the power of the museum setting to change lives.
  • Collaborative and culturally competent.
  • Strong presentation skills.
  • Proven success in grant writing.
  • Spanish fluency is not required, but helpful.
  • Computer and Internet literacy, including MS Office, Outlook, WordPress, and familiarity with Adobe CS.
  • Understanding of social media and its use in promoting greater access to museum collections and programs.
  • Highly organized with the ability to work on several projects concurrently and handle requirements for accuracy and quality.
  • Availability to periodically work evenings and weekends.

 To Apply

Please send a cover letter, résumé and three references to search@newhavenmuseum.org with DIRECTOR OF MUSEUM EXPERIENCE in the subject line. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. No phone calls, please. The New Haven Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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