Director Museum

NMSU; New Mexico; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University seeks a Director for the University Art Museum (UAM) to coordinate and realize exhibitions and programming that advance the museum's mission and raise visibility regionally and nationally. The Director will plan and manage rotating exhibitions with support from the Art Museum Manager, raise funds, oversee operations, and train students.

The Director reports to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, collaborates with NMSU Foundation and campus leadership, and

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: Leadership, grant writing, and experience supervising staff in a museum setting, strategic initiatives, and collaboration across departments.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and realize exhibitions and programming (9–12 per year).
• Oversee operations including funding, facilities, technology, marketing, and HR.
• Supervise staff, train students, prepare grants, and liaise with campus and community.

Skills

Grant writing

Museum leadership

Strategic planning

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

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

PositionTitle: 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: Resonance and or connection with the unique southwest and borderland region; identification with the mission and values of the UAM, including a deep appreciation for the full scope and breadth of its collections and assets; capacity to define, communicate, and execute clear priorities while operating within the framework of a public, state-funded institution; demonstrated administrative competency; experience in supervising staff; leadership within a collaborative environment; experience and success in grant writing; demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively across departments and areas of expertise; experience overseeing, training and teaching students in a wide range of museum areas and skills. Knowledge of museum and curatorial practices, including exhibit preparation required. Teaching experience is a plus.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.