Executive Director of the Museum of Texas Tech University – Museum Studies

Texas Tech University seeks a dynamic, thoughtful, engaging leader for the Executive Director of the Museum of Texas Tech University. The successful Executive Director will provide overall leadership and administration, while developing a wide variety of stakeholders in a vision that advances the Museum’s excellence and engagement in research, curatorial and public education, and visitor experiences. The Executive Director has overall charge of the Museum’s budget, finances, personnel, and operations and reports to the Provost through the Senior Vice Provost. The Executive Director oversees a budget of $3.2 million dollars and a staff of 67 full-and part-time faculty, staff and student employees.

The Museum is both a community museum and a research institution. The Museum manages impressive collections of more than eight million objects in disciplines covering art, clothing and textiles, anthropology (archaeology & ethnology), history and natural sciences. Additionally, the Museum is home to: the Lubbock Lake Landmark, a world-renown archaeological and natural history preserve; the internationally known Natural Science Research Laboratory; the Artist Printmaker/Photographer Research Collection; and the Moody Planetarium. The Museum houses the Heritage and Museum Sciences master’s degree program, one of the oldest and largest programs of its kind in the U.S. These valuable elements of the Museum contribute to the university’s excellence in teaching, research and outreach.

Provides leadership and direction in all aspects of administering multiple university branch campuses or major satellite locations. Meets ORP eligibility requirements. Plans, develops and implements strategies for generating resources and revenues. Has budget administrative oversight of overall operations of units. Reports to Vice President or above. Directs and supervises multiple Managing Directors.

Expected Duties:

Directing the general administration of the Museum through effective management of personnel and resources and by creating and enforcing policies and procedures necessary for efficient functioning of the organization.
Ensuring that employees are appropriately trained and have adequate resources for the efficient delivery of the Museum’s programs and curatorial research activities and ensuring a safe and accommodating environment for employees, students and visitors.
Leading the development and implementation of the Museum’s strategic plan to accomplish its goals and objectives and align the Museum’s strategic plan with that of the University.
Providing oversight of the Museum’s activities, programs and personnel, including exhibitions, public education programs, the Natural Research Science Laboratory and the Lubbock Lake Landmark.
Ensuring the Museum’s collections are properly stored, preserved and exhibited and that effective collection policy is maintained by curatorial staff.
Cultivating relationships with other cultural institutions that support and encourage cooperation and engage communities in exceptional museum experiences.
Preparing budget proposals and working closely with university officials and the Museum Association on budget- and funding- related- matters.
Ensuring effective oversight of income and expenses and providing periodic reports to appropriate organizations and representatives.
Leading Museum development efforts by coordinating with the university and the Museum Association to identify and cultivate donors in accordance with the policies of Texas Tech University.
Overseeing efforts to increase revenue generated from grants and sponsorships in support of Museum programs, exhibits, research and operations.

Applicants will submit a letter of application, current curriculum vitae, a statement of administrative philosophy, a statement of vision for a museum like the Museum of Texas Tech University, and the names of five individuals who may be contacted as references.

Required Qualifications

Master’s Degree required, terminal degree preferred. Eight years progressively responsible management experience required. Education beyond the master’s level may substitute for required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

A strong commitment to promote enthusiastically the vision, mission, strategic plan and accomplishments of the Museum with stakeholders, potential donors and funding entities.
Demonstrated fundraising skills and a record of fundraising successes including cultivating relationships with private donors, foundations and other funding sources.
Demonstrated commitment to creating or enhancing visitor-centered experiences that effectively engage diverse communities and audiences.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively advance the mission and vision of the Museum.
Experience in the development, preservation and interpretation of collections.
Proven success in developing cooperative and effective relationships among institutions and their staffs, boards or support organizations.
Engaging academic and community constituencies to create dynamic experiences and learning opportunities for school and university students and the general public.
Evidence of strategic planning skills that includes drafting, refining and implementing an effective plan by engaging diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders.
Proven abilities in budgeting, financial reporting and the prudent management of an institution’s resources. Experience with nonprofit financial management, collaborating with support organizations or public-based budgeting systems.
Commitment to the creation and execution of effective marketing programs for a museum or similar institution.
Proven understanding and commitment to ethical standards, legal responsibilities and best practices established by museum accreditation, state and federal law and international covenants.
Demonstrated commitment toward support and advancement of Museum personnel through equitable compensation and professional development.
Demonstrated commitment and support for employment diversity.

Required Attachments

Cover Letter, Professional/Personal References, Resume / CV, Statement of Administrative Philosophy, Statement of Vision or Purpose for the Position

Pay Statement

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as, the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan on the Human Resources webpage.

EEO Statement

As an EEO/AA employer, the Texas Tech University System and its components will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

To apply, please go to: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25898&siteid=5635#jobDetails=447576_5635