Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

March 1, 2017

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America’s most selective colleges. Serving only undergraduates, Colby’s rigorous academic program is rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 58 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of 2,000 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its Maine location provides easy access to world-class research institutions and civic engagement experiences.

Under the leadership of president, David A. Greene, Colby is building on this strong foundation while remaining committed to excellence, to supporting students and faculty at the highest levels, and to the College’s deep liberal arts traditions. This chapter includes plans for creating innovative academic initiatives and partnerships, strengthening the connections between the liberal arts and the professional world, revitalizing downtown Waterville, and pursuing significant capital projects for performing arts and athletics. Colby invites applicants to apply for the position of:

Deputy Director

Museum of Art

Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

The deputy director occupies a critical leadership position within the Museum of Art. Working closely with and reporting to the Museum’s director and chief curator, the deputy director provides organizational leadership and oversees the overall administrative management of the museum, including implementation of strategic objectives and organizational initiatives. The deputy director works collaboratively with department leadership in collections, curatorial, education, and the newly launched Lunder Institute for American Art to promote a highly functional, interactive, and dynamic museum team. The deputy director encourages and models interdepartmental communication and actively identifies and increases efficiencies within museum work flow on a continual basis. This position also motivates staff, provides and models effective project management skills, and represents the Museum to internal and external audiences and partners.

Founded in 1959, the Colby College Museum of Art comprises five wings, more than 9,000 works of art, and more than 38,000 square feet of exhibition space, the largest in the state of Maine. The recently announced gift by Peter and Paula Lunder will add more than 1,100 artworks to the collection by artists from Albecht Dürer to Julie Mehretu. Works in the collection strengthen the Museum’s mission to offer Colby students new perspectives on their classroom studies and expand their understanding of diverse subjects through art. The gift will also establish the Lunder Institute for American Art to advance critical and creative research in American art and related fields. The Lunder Institute will be integrated into the academic mission of the College and the Museum and will create unique opportunities for multi-disciplinary scholarship, creative work, and mentorship among visiting scholars, artists, faculty, and students. A major mission of the Lunder Institute is to make connections between American and global art, inspiring a dialogue between places and cultures and making the Museum an internationally recognized destination for the collection, study, and exhibition of American art. The Colby Museum is also deeply committed to strengthening diversity and inclusion across all strategic and programmatic areas of the Museum to include a multiplicity of perspectives and backgrounds represented on our staff and Board of Governors, outreach to diverse audiences, inclusive and diverse exhibitions and programs, and a broad-based, expansive collection. The Museum also seeks to further strengthen its identity as a preeminent academic museum through national and international partnerships and through world-class exhibitions. In addition, the Museum serves as a key contributor to the revitalization of downtown Waterville through its membership in Waterville Creates! and its active participation in the programmatic initiatives of Colby College.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise all museum administrative areas to assure effectiveness and efficiencies in accordance with the museum’s strategic plan
• Serve as the primary liaison for the following departments within the College: Human Resources, Communications, Information Technology Services, College and Student Advancement, Risk Management, Financial Services, Vice President and Secretary of the College, and Security
• Supervise hiring and performance management activities for administrative museum staff
• Facilitate mentorship and professional development opportunities
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships within the museum and with other departments
• Work closely with Communications to oversee and implement the museum’s communications and media strategy to enhance the museum’s presence in the regional, national, and international community through print media and the museum’s digital platforms
• Manage the advertising, marketing, website and publicity function of the Museum (social media, print, radio, Collaborative/Waterville Creates!)
• Maintain an integrated and coherent design program for the museum
• Offer vision and leadership for the museum’s technology initiatives as they relate to administrative management and communications
• Establish and maintain productive communication and work flow with colleagues in College and Student Advancement to realize the museum’s development goals
• Manage contracts and budgets in collaboration with the director’s office, Risk Management, Financial Services, and Financial Planning
• Offer key leadership for the Museum’s Board of Governors, including staffing of the Governance and Nominating Committee, and connections with Colby’s Board of Trustees through the Office of the Vice President and Secretary of the College
• Represent director at campus/community and other events as necessary

• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience; Master’s degree preferred
• Seven years of progressive experience as a museum executive; experience in the arts, philanthropic, non-profit, or higher-education organization preferred
• Working knowledge in museum management principles and practices; general administrative principles, practices, and methods; supervisory experience, including techniques of planning and delegating work
• Strong leadership, decision making, interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills; solid presentation, negotiation, problem solving, conflict resolution, and meeting management skills
• Comfortable and up-to-date on the use of technology
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion as key strategies toward broad-based institutional excellence, representing a range of perspectives, thought, and actions
• Proven record as a forward-thinking leader with a strong network of colleagues and associates in relevant fields and an established interest in the best practices of the twenty-first century museum
• Demonstrated experience with budget development, analysis, and management
• Proven experience in marketing, communications, and digital initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to plan and operate strategically, work effectively with a Board, and build internal and external support
• Proven ability to forge mutually respectful, trusting, and effective relationships with a diverse group of staff, Board members, community leaders, and decision makers
• Demonstrated success managing people and operations with a proven ability to attract, motivate, professionalize, mentor, and retain talented staff; a track record as a team builder who can delegate and empower while creating a positive and effective work environment
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills; presence and credibility to serve as an effective spokesperson for the Museum locally, regionally, and nationally
• Ability to maintain a coherent and consistent visual identity for the Museum across all media
• Strong negotiation and collaboration skills
• Unflappable in the face of multiple challenges; pragmatic, grounded, authoritative, decisive and disciplined; mentally flexible and creative as circumstances demand
• Ability to maintain balance and perspective, and a proactive “can do” attitude that can motivate others

• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

This position will work closely with all members of the museum staff as well as other campus departments. The position has ongoing interactions with faculty, staff, students, members of the local community, and museum guests.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary.  Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the Colby College website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

Deputy Director – Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME  04901-8855

A review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Colby is a private, coeducational liberal arts college that admits students and makes employment decisions on the basis of the individual’s qualifications to contribute to Colby’s educational objectives and institutional needs. Colby College does not discriminate in its educational programs or employment on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or military or veteran’s status.  Colby is an equal opportunity employer and operates in accordance with federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination. Colby complies with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in an institution’s education programs and activities.  Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to Colby’s Title IX coordinator or to the federal Office of Civil Rights.  We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our college.

For more information about the College, please visit our website:  www.colby.edu.

http://www.colby.edu/administration_cs/humanresources/employment/administrative.cfm