The Gund at Kenyon College seeks a Deputy Director of Administration and External Affairs.

Kenyon College is conducting a search for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Deputy Director of Administration and External Affairs at The Gund. Reporting to the Director and Chief Curator of THE GUND, the Deputy Director of Administration and External Affairs facilitates the work of the Director’s office, supporting its work with Board of Directors, artists, granting organizations, freelance services, and institutional partners; overseeing budget planning; managing data gathering and analysis; supervising overall museum administration and special strategic initiatives; and coordinating internal and external museum communications.

A member of the senior leadership team with the Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and Education, the Deputy Director of Administration and External Affairs will oversee the strategic goals of the institution and the implementation of The Gund’s administrative functions with attention to budget planning, reporting, event planning, marketing, communication strategy; systems for consistent data collection, analysis, and reporting; and matters of personnel in conjunction with Human Resources. In this capacity, they also supervise the marketing and PR services for The Gund, as well as facilities, operational and visitor duties, and freelancers. They also enact an audience and hospitality-centered strategy while providing high-level guidance and content review for all public-facing aspects of The Gund’s work. The Deputy Director of Administration and External Affairs plays a critical role in supporting board relations, attending to governance policies and calendars, and developing effective communications processes under the purview of the Director and Chief Curator.

The ideal candidate for this role will demonstrate excellent organizational skills, marketing expertise, corporate experience in similar functions, and administrative leadership. They will exercise exceptional judgment in making day-to-day and high-level decisions, strategize and implement clarity in processes, anticipate problems, and develop timely solutions. The candidate must have strong branding and development skills, financial management, marketing experience, a history of analysis and report writing, and an understanding and ability to implement data gathering and reporting systems. The candidate will show adeptness at communications, including effective written and visual presentations, and an ability to interface with a wide range of constituencies. The best candidate for the role will exhibit an appropriate sense of urgency in completing assigned responsibilities with a detail-oriented focus, training staff, and stewarding museum best practices accordingly. The candidate will bring curiosity, kindness, and humor to everyday work. These abilities and efforts will help us advance our mission to create new ways to experience and learn from modern and contemporary art in an academic setting, inviting inquiry, connecting students, artists, and lifelong learners, and inspiring collaborative action toward a better future.

The candidate will nurture an equitable and inclusive culture, increase the museum’s access and value to all of its communities and the field of art, and strengthen Kenyon as one of the nation’s recognized leading liberal arts colleges.  

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Administration and Management (60%)

• Coordinate and establish organizational structures and supervisory relationships for new programs and/or restructuring activities of The Gund to achieve strategic objectives and metrics.
• With the Director and Chief Curator, and Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and Education, lead long and short-range planning for all operations and administration of The Gund.
• Ensure the Director’s involvement and decision-making related to various projects and initiatives occurs at the appropriate time; ensure all administrative issues are addressed effectively and judiciously; track progress until resolved.
• Oversee the development and implementation of collection-care best practices,  conservation needs and facilities management.
• Design, develop, and implement effective systems and processes for research and assessment, including attendance tracking, ongoing museum metrics, trend analysis, and project debriefs.
• Provide guidance, and organizational support to Director and Chief Curator regarding funding, new venture development and other resource acquisitions.
• Make decisions on administrative or operational matters and ensures achievement of objectives (including operational and budget processes; facilities management, staff, human resources, IT and space planning).
• Represent the museum at the campus and community levels to improve and maintain stakeholder relations in key communities on campus and beyond (state-wide and national artworld-related events).
• Maintain integrity of organizational effectiveness through hiring, management, and oversight of staff in accordance with Kenyon’s best practices and policies.
• Provide strategic direction to museum communications, prioritize competing tasks to strengthen the museum’s brand position; identify and at times draft key messages (works closely with external consultant(s)).
• Oversee integration of The Gund and The Annex communications across ecosystem, and nurture relationships with museum audiences and constituencies.
• Work closely with the Deputy Director of Curatorial and Academic Affairs, review and approve materials and messages across platforms (social media, website, printed material, etc.).
• Research and assist in preparing materials for use by the Director and Chief Curator, including presentations, messages to the board, and other leaders and colleagues.
• Develop effective working relationships with members of a diverse community of staff, students, and College colleagues and accompanies the Director and Chief Curator in networking event(s) to broaden the institutional network. In some instances, step in as a representative of the institution on state and national event(s) and initiatives).
• Coordinate museum-wide strategic initiatives and data-gathering projects, such as annual data surveys managed by the Association of Art Museum Directors and regional museum surveys and information requested by certain granting organizations.
• With assistance from the Administrative Assistant and Deputy Director of Curatorial and Academic Affairs, and in collaboration with other staff, coordinate and/or lead cross-departmental meetings, including preparing agendas, presentations, meeting notes, and following through on action items; staff working groups as needed.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with the Office of Human Resources, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, onboarding, advancement, performance management, and offboarding.
• Collaborate with the offices of Facilities, Planning and Sustainability, Finances and Advancement to align the college’s and the gallery’s efforts and special initiatives.
  Manage the growth and development of The Gund’s permanent collection, oversees its operational needs, and ensures best stewardship, care, and practices are followed.
• Implement cross-departmental strategic initiatives, including DEAI, disability access, staff morale, and reaccreditation.
• Participate and identify with staff annual opportunities in training and professional development sessions; share knowledge through training sessions with others at Kenyon and with museum professionals in the broader field.
• Participate in Kenyon committees and groups as a representative of The Gund.
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Financial Planning (30%)

• Plan the museum’s annual budget in collaboration with the Director and Chief Curator and other colleagues; this includes The Gund’s operating budget and the financial plan for revenue and expenses related to restricted and discretionary funds.
• Liaise with the College’s Finance office and with The Gund staff to provide consistent and high-level management and analysis of the gallery’s budget; anticipate issues and plans accordingly; attends to new factors as they arise.
• With assistance from the Administrative Assistant, conduct quarterly budget reviews and reports, and grant reporting, as needed.
• Develop multi-year budget plans with assistance from the Director and Chief Curator and the College’s Finance department.
• Develop processes and criteria for the review of the museum’s financial plans; guide leadership regarding funding, new venture development, and other resource acquisitions.
• Supervise, with guidance from the Director and Chief Curator, freelance grant writer(s) assigned to specific initiatives and with input from the College’s grants office.
• Manage facilities and space planning and their usage(s).
  Supervise collections and exhibitions management, registration, preparation, installation, and conservation processes.
• Manage visitor services and attendants and develop and manage visitor-centric experience strategy and its implementation.
• Direct operations and facilities for The Annex (The offsite space) in Mount Vernon.

Governance (10%)

• Support the Director and Chief Curator with the Board of Directors and other institutional ambassadors in order to build relationships that encourage and support a high-level of commitment to and knowledge of The Gund’s vision, priorities, initiatives, and values.
• Serve as the secondary staff liaison to the Board of Directors, developing positive working relationships with its members; coordinating communications, meetings, and Board materials; and addressing or delegating Board member questions.
• Work with the Director and Chief Curator to implement Board meeting logistics, progress reports as needed, and implementation of special Board-related initiatives.
• Organize and ease all logistical aspects of Board of Directors’ once-a-year educational trip to peer institution(s).

Required Qualifications:

• Excellent ability to establish metrics for long and short-term initiatives and employee goals.
• Excellent skills to work collaboratively and act persuasively in sensitive situations; skills in conflict management techniques.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to effectively lead, motivate, and influence others and to develop and maintain high standards of visitor service.
• Demonstrated administrative skills and past experience in managing people, finances, and other resources effectively.
• Experience developing and enacting strategic communications, marketing, and PR goals; ability to create and execute targeted audience-centered messages; ability to communicate effectively with each audience verbally, visually, and/or in writing.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and relationship-building with various kinds of constituencies across an organization, from entry-level staff to senior staff and/or volunteer leaders; proven ability to work independently, collaboratively, and constructively as a member of a diverse community.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing diverse teams, and an unwavering commitment as a leader to fostering an antiracist, equitable work environment supportive of people from different cultures, backgrounds, and life paths.
• Demonstrated capacity for project management, event and strategy planning, data analysis, and reporting; ability to structure long-term initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience with superior skills with Microsoft Office software and Google applications, including advanced proficiency with PowerPoint and Excel; demonstrated experience using project management software as well as financial and human resource management tools.
• Strong work ethic and initiative; organizational and time management skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail; flexibility to adjust to changing priorities as new projects develop.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making and critical thinking capabilities.
• Ability to handle confidential information with utmost discretion.
• Enthusiasm for The Gund’s mission role of art teaching museums in a liberal arts education, as well as the College’s liberal arts mission.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships with peer institutions and community leaders locally and internationally.
• Invested in implementing DEI best practices in museums.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Minimum of 7 years of related experience in arts and culture and/or related institutional management and track record as an established leader.

Kenyon College is a nationally prominent, private liberal arts college where academic excellence goes hand in hand with a strong sense of community and close relationships among students and professors.

Compensation and Benefits: Salary Range is $85-140K per year based on experience and other considerations. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 90% tuition waivers at fifteen other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.

We also offer health, dental and vision insurance, TIAA retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.

Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer and applications from members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Please visit our Diversity at Kenyon website.

Salary range: $85-140K per year

Job classification: Full-time

To apply: For more information and to apply, visit https://careers.pageuppeople.com/695/cw/en-us/job/493066/deputy-director-of-administration-and-external-affairs-at-the-gund.

Posted: March 5, 2024