Director Museum

New Mexico State University; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University seeks a Director for the University Art Museum to coordinate and realize exhibitions and programming that advance the museum's mission and heighten its visibility regionally and nationally.

The Director will plan and manage rotating exhibitions (9–12 per year) with the Art Museum Manager, raise funds from diverse sources, oversee financial and administrative operations, and supervise staff and student employees while engaging with the campus and broader community.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree with 10 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant experience.
• Master's degree or higher preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and realize exhibitions (9–12 per year) and programming to advance the museum's mission.
• Raise and manage funds from diverse sources and build donor relationships.
• Oversee financial, facility, technology, marketing, communications, and human resource functions; streamline operations.
• Oversee the UAM Permanent Art Collection, budgeting, and acquisitions with the support of the Collections Curator; train student employees; prepare grant proposals; liaison with campus and community.

Education

Associate's Degree + 10 years of relevant experience

Bachelor's degree + 8 years of relevant experience

Master’s degree or higher preferred

Job description

• 504189
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Nov 6 2026 - 23:55 MST

Department Contact

Enrico Pontelli, [e-mail], [phone]

Internal or External Search

External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary

The University Art Museum at New Mexico State University is seeking a Director.

Position Details

Position Title: Director Museum

College/Division: Arts and Sciences College

Department: 330110-UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM

Location: Las Cruces

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

Job Duties and Responsibilities

New Mexico State University (NMSU) seeks an engaging, dynamic, and qualified individual for the position of Director of the University Art Museum (UAM) to coordinate and realize exhibitions and programming that advance the mission of the UAM and the university, while heightening the UAM’s visibility in the region and nationally. The Director plans and manages the UAM’s rotating exhibitions (9 to 12 per year) with the support of the Art Museum Manager; raises, manages, and optimizes funding from diverse sources while building lasting donor relationships and ensuring responsible, sustainable stewardship of the organization’s resources; oversees financial, facility, technology, marketing, communications, and human resource functions within the UAM; and streamlines operations to best meet organizational needs. The Director also oversees the NMSU Permanent Art Collection, budgeting, and acquisitions with the support of the Collections Curator; trains undergraduate and graduate student employees; researches and prepares grant proposals; and serves as a liaison and resource for the NMSU campus and broader community.

NMSU is the state’s land-grant university, serving the educational needs of New Mexico’s diverse population through programs of education, research, extension education, and public service. The NMSU University Art Museum is housed on the main campus of NMSU in Las Cruces, NM in the El Paso del Norte Region which includes El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The director reports to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and maintains a close working relationship with various NMSU executive positions and the NMSU Foundation, and implements policies and procedures established in accordance with the provisions in the by-laws and in accordance with American Alliance of Museums (AAM) National Standards and Best Practices.

The UAM is the premier contemporary visual arts facility in Southern New Mexico and holds the world’s largest collection of 19th century Mexican retablos as well as modern & contemporary collections which include photographs, paintings, prints and graphics, book art, metals/jewelry, sculpture and ceramics.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

Associate's Degree + 10 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 8 years of relevant experience. Master’s degree or higher preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Reson