Toby Devan Lewis Director

The Asian American Arts Alliance, Inc.; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

The Asian American Arts Alliance in New York City is seeking a Director to lead the New Museum, responsible for its vision, operations, and fiscal health. The ideal candidate will possess an irresistible passion for art, successful leadership experience, and a proven record in fundraising.

This permanent, full-time position offers a competitive starting salary range of $500,000 to $700,000.

Qualifications

• Institutional leadership experience with museum best practices.
• Successful fundraising and development team leadership.
• Ability to communicate and prioritize effectively.

Responsibilities

• Set and advance the museum's vision and values.
• Oversee day-to-day operations and fiscal health.
• Engage in fundraising and community relationship building.

Skills

Passion for new art and ideas

Innovative and risk-taking

Strong relationship building

Financial acumen

Exceptional communication skills

Dedication to diversity and inclusion

Job description

The Toby Devan Lewis Director (‘Director’) is the chief executive of the New Museum, responsible for setting and advancing a compelling institutional vision, ensuring its fiscal and cultural health, and upholding the mission and values of the Museum. The Director is an ex‑officio member of, and partners closely with, the Board, the Senior Leadership Team, staff, artists, and donors to position the New Museum at the forefront of contemporary art. Like all chief executives, the Director is responsible for the day‑to‑day successful operation of the Museum, including its expanded facilities and administration, employees, volunteers, partners, financial operations, fundraising, public profile, and scholarship.

This is a permanent, full‑time position in New York City with a targeted starting salary range of $500,000 - $700,000.

Requirements

• An irresistible passion for the new, art, artists, and ideas with a clear sense of direction.
• An innovator by nature who thrives with risk, experimentation, and presenting what is, indeed, ‘new’ in its myriad manifestations: program, operations, internal culture, resources, and education–and remains undaunted by its execution.
• Respected, intellectually curious, bold, internationally at ease, and practiced at how to assess and embrace risk.
• Institutional experience in a leadership capacity, including knowledge of museum best practices, educational and outreach programs, operations, diplomacy, and governance structures.
• A record of success in fundraising and relationship building with individuals, corporations, government, and institutional funders and skilled in leading a development team and donor relations.
• An ability to both recruit and forge strong collaborative relationships with Board members.
• Able to provide vision and a clear strategic direction separate from the predecessor’s yet that builds upon her notable success. Capable of defining, communicating, and executing clear priorities without succumbing to bureaucratic muddle.
• Proven financial acumen and aptitude to manage large and complex budgets.
• Significant background and grasp of managing important curatorial programs and publications, with a current remove appropriate of a leader who delegates well.
• Experience establishing high‑impact collaborations, capitalizing on, and effectively participating in New York City’s unique cultural ethos and dynamic.
• Exceptional communication skills, whether in the press, elevator, or at the podium.
• A fair, collaborative, direct, and transparent leadership style that engenders trust and support among the New Museum staff while holding the team, self and, as appropriate, the Board accountable to professional standards and deliverables.
• A record of dedication to and success in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Ability to model and establish a culture of mutual respect, transparency, and empowerment.

Application Instructions

APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS

The New Museum has retained Isaacson, Miller to assist with this recruitment. Please direct all inquiries, nominations, and applications electronically and in confidence to: