Director | Corpus Christi, TX

Texas Association of Museums; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Museum of South Texas seeks a bold Director to serve as chief executive and fundraising lead. Reporting to the President and CEO of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the Director will provide strategic vision and drive the museum’s financial sustainability.

This role requires entrepreneurial leadership to cultivate donors, build partnerships, expand audiences, and advance educational programs, exhibitions, and community impact across South Texas.

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a museum, nonprofit organization, educational institution, or similar environment, or related experience.
• Master’s degree in a related field and eight years of leadership experience, or Doctoral degree and six years of leadership experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Arts Administration, Art History, Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership and direction for the Museum's future growth and sustainability.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that increase attendance, membership, philanthropic support, community impact, and organizational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with staff, the Board of Trustees, and University leadership to establish priorities and achieve organizational goals.
• Identify innovative opportunities for partnerships, programming, revenue generation, and institutional advancement.
• Serve as the Museum's chief ambassador and principal fundraiser.
• Develop and execute fundraising strategies that support annual operations, special projects, collections, educational programs, endowments, and capital needs.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor cultivation

Public speaking

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Grant writing

Sponsorship development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree

Doctoral degree

Job description

DIRECTOR, ART MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS
Salary: $

PURPOSE

The Director serves as the chief executive and chief fundraising officer of the Art Museum of South Texas. Reporting to the President and CEO of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and working in partnership with the Board of Trustees, the Director provides strategic leadership for one of the Gulf Coast's premier cultural institutions.

The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, financial sustainability, strategic growth, community engagement, and stewardship of the Museum's collections, facilities, programs, and resources. The successful candidate will be an entrepreneurial leader who can inspire philanthropy, cultivate partnerships, expand audiences, and strengthen the Museum's reputation as a leading cultural destination and educational resource for South Texas.

The Director must possess strong business acumen, fundraising experience, and the ability to effectively engage donors, community leaders, elected officials, educators, foundations, corporations, members, and other stakeholders. A passion for the visual arts and a commitment to excellence in museum operations are essential.

DESCRIPTION

Functional Area 1: Strategic Leadership

Job Duties

Provide visionary leadership and direction for the Museum's future growth and sustainability.

Develop and implement strategic initiatives that increase attendance, membership, philanthropic support, community impact, and organizational effectiveness.

Collaborate with staff, the Board of Trustees, and University leadership to establish priorities and achieve organizational goals.

Identify innovative opportunities for partnerships, programming, revenue generation, and institutional advancement.

Functional Area 2: Fundraising and External Relations

Job Duties

Serve as the Museum's chief ambassador and principal fundraiser.

Develop and execute fundraising strategies that support annual operations, special projects, collections, educational programs, endowments, and capital needs.

Cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, government agencies, and community stakeholders.

Work closely with the Development Officer, Board of Trustees, and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi advancement personnel to secure philanthropic support.

Functional Area 3: Financial and Operational Management

Job Duties

Oversee all Museum operations, administrative functions, facilities, and financial activities.

Manage annual operating and capital budgets.

Ensure responsible stewardship of financial, physical, and workforce.

Maintain compliance with university policies, applicable laws and regulations, accreditation requirements, and professional museum standards.

Evaluate and improve organizational performance and operational effectiveness.

Functional Area 4: Exhibitions, Collections, and Programs

Job Duties

Support the development and presentation of high-quality exhibitions and educational programs that advance the Museum's mission.

Ensure responsible stewardship, preservation, documentation, and growth of the permanent collection.

Promote innovative programming that enhances visitor engagement and educational impact.

Functional Area 5: Community Engagement and Partnerships

Job Duties

Strengthen relationships with educational institutions, cultural organizations, tourism partners, governmental agencies, and community organizations.

Expand the Museum's visibility and role as a regional cultural and educational resource.

Develop collaborative partnerships that increase community engagement and support organizational goals.

Functional Area 6: Leadership and Board Relations

Job Duties

Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing staff.

Foster professionalism, accountability, collaboration, innovation, and service.

Establish performance expectations and support staff development.

Ensure compliance with university policies and procedures.

Partner effectively with the Board of Trustees to advance strategic priorities and organizational goals.

Provide timely reports, recommendations, and information to support Board decision-making.

Support trustee recruitment, orientation, engagement, and committee activities.

Foster strong communication and collaboration among the Board, staff, and University leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Arts Administration, Art History, Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.

Ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a museum, nonprofit organization, educational institution, or similar environment, or related experience.

Additional education may be used as a substitute for the minimum experience requirement:

Master’s degree in a related field and eight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a museum, nonprofit organization, educational institution, or similar environment, or related experience.

Doctoral degree in a related field and six (6) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a museum, nonprofit organization, educational institution, or similar environment, or related experience.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation, sponsorship development, grant writing, and revenue generation.

Outstanding oral and written communication skills.

Exceptional communication, relationship‑building, and public speaking abilities.

Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, strategic planning, and organizational operations.

Proven ability to build productive relationships with donors, trustees, community stakeholders, institutional partners, and elected officials.

Proven record of fundraising success, including major gifts, sponsorships, grants, and philanthropic development.

Ability to motivate, mentor, and lead professional staff.

Strong strategic planning and organizational leadership skills.

Strong appreciation for the visual arts and the role museums plays in education, tourism, economic development, and quality of life.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree or Doctoral degree in Museum Studies, Arts Administration, Art History, Business Administration, Public Administration, or Nonprofit Management.

Knowledge of museum accreditation standards, collections stewardship, and professional museum practices.

Knowledge of the visual arts, museum operations, and contemporary museum practices.

Experience with capital campaigns, endowment development, or major fundraising initiatives.

Experience working effectively with governing boards, donors, volunteers, community leaders, and public officials.

Experience working within a university‑affiliated museum or cultural institution.