Director, South Texas Institute for the Arts

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Texas; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director of South Texas Institute for the Arts serves as the chief executive and chief fundraising officer for the Art Museum of South Texas.

Reporting to the University President and CEO, this role provides strategic direction, oversees operations, finances, exhibitions, and external relations, and partners with the Board to advance the Museum's mission as a premier cultural destination in South Texas.

Qualifications

• Strong fundraising track record with major gifts.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Experience with capital campaigns and endowment development.
• Ability to lead across a university-affiliated museum.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership and direction for the Museum's future growth and sustainability.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies that support annual operations, collections, programs, and capital needs.
• Collaborate with staff, the Board of Trustees, and University leadership to set priorities and achieve goals.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Oversee operations, finances, exhibitions, and programs to ensure high-quality visitor experiences.
• Foster partnerships that expand audiences and strengthen the Museum's role as an educational resource.

Skills

Fundraising and donor cultivation

Strategic leadership

Relationship building

Public speaking

Budgeting and financial oversight

Board relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies/Arts Administration/Business

Master’s degree or Doctoral degree (preferred)

Job description

Director, South Texas Institute for the Arts

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

Percent Effort: 25%

• 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

Percent Effort: 25%

• 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

Percent Effort: 20%

• 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

Percent Effort: 10%

• 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

Percent Effort: 10%

• 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.
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Functional Area 6: Organizational Leadership and Board Relations

Percent Effort: 10%

• 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.

SKILSS 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.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

NOTE: Employment may be impacted by the Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025 and the moratorium issued by Texas Governor Abbott on January 27, 2026.