The Huntington Museum of Art (HMA), located in Huntington, WV, seeks to hire a full-time Executive Director.  We are looking for an experienced and dynamic leader to provide administrative, operational, and visionary leadership for HMA.  This position reports directly to the Museum’s Board of Trustees.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:  The HMA serves the public as a museum and cultural center and in the greater community acts as a presence and advocate for the areas of art, education, and nature.  HMA’s mission is furthered by its four commitments: to acquire and display objects of art, provide excellence in education and arts experiences, maintain a plant conservatory and nature trails, and expand its service population. 

Incorporated in 1947, HMA opened to the public on November 9, 1952.  After more than 70 years in service, the facility has expanded to include ten exhibition spaces, an interactive Education Gallery, the James D. Francis Art Reference Library, the Grace Rardin Doherty Auditorium, several outdoor sculpture installations, five studio workshops, and West Virginia’s only tropical/subtropical conservatory. Additionally, HMA’s programming includes educational outreach as well as the maintenance of 50 wooded acres with nationally recognized hiking trails and a fully accessible sensory trail.

HMA has the largest and finest collection of art in the state with over 17,000 objects in the permanent collection, including American and European paintings, prints and sculpture, contemporary and natural history prints, studio and decorative glass, ceramics, folk art, Asian decorative objects, Haitian art, Peruvian pottery, and prayer rugs. The museum also features permanent installations of Near Eastern art and artifacts, antique firearms, and a decorative arts/glass gallery.

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, HMA is the largest art museum in the region between Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Richmond and is the only nationally accredited visual art museum of its size in the Tri-State region of southwestern West Virginia, southeastern Ohio, and eastern Kentucky.  HMA is a member of the Southeastern Reciprocal Membership Program, the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM), and the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Travel Passport Program.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Strategic Leadership and Vision: Propel the Museum’s strategic direction, interweaving the established vision with core values. Have a full understanding of the Museum Code of Ethics and Core Values of Museums in line with the American Alliance of Museums.

Operational Excellence: Maintain the smooth and cohesive operations of the Museum. Manage and oversee all staff and delegate tasks as appropriate. Ensure that appropriate staff are caring for the Museum's resources, such as the permanent collection and the facility. Follow all directives in the Museum Personnel Handbook. Have a working knowledge of, observe and follow all Museum policies and procedures and plans including specifically emergency, safety, confidentiality and security policies and procedures. Comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the operations of the Museum.

Community Engagement and Partnerships: Provide a high degree of visibility in the community; Develop and maintain effective working relationships with strategic partners, other arts organizations, public agencies, the media, the Board of Trustees, and volunteers.  Interact with the public through speaking engagements. Serve as the chief spokesperson for the Museum.

Financial Oversight and Sustainability: Understand and clearly comprehend the financial processes of the Museum. Safeguard HMA’s financial well-being with prudent budgeting, resource management, and fiscal oversight. Champion sustainability to ensure our financial position supports the museum's ambitions now and in the future.

Team Leadership and Organizational Culture: Work as an effective member of the Museum team. Oversee all staff and determine that they are completing their work in a timely fashion. Create an effective, openly communicative, and nurturing work environment.  Champion an organizational culture that values every team member, from staff to volunteers.

Fundraising and Resource Development: Take a leadership role with the Development Department in fundraising including, but not limited to, the annual fund, grant writing, special events, planned giving, and project funding.  Maintain strong relationships with the funding community. Actively solicits strategic partnerships and collaborations, State support, and outside private support.  Cultivates gifts and bequests.

The role requires an on-site presence to lead the team and engage with the community.  While this position is not suitable for remote work, upon occasion, remote work will be allowed based on circumstances.  The successful candidate must be able to work nights and weekends as needed to accommodate programmatic and development needs.  Some travel is required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a college degree in a liberal arts field. Arts background preferred.
• Must have several years’ experience in management of staff and strategic planning.
• Must have a record of success in donor relations, fundraising, grant writing and/or capital campaigns.
• Must have a full understanding of complex accounting and finance and the ability to compile, understand and maintain budgetary information.
• Must have a valid personal driver's license and insurable driving record.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communications skills and the ability to build relationships.
• Must be able to develop strategies and initiatives to fulfill the Museum’s mission and ensure its sustainability and growth.
• Must possess computer skills – ability to use Microsoft Office, Museum databases and other software that are specific to the job, the internet and e-mail.

This ad and a complete Position Description is available at https://hmoa.org/executive-director-search/

More information about Huntington, West Virginia is located at Huntington, WV - Huntington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (visithuntingtonwv.org) or HADCO https://hadco.org .

COMPENSATION:   The salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications and experience and is competitive.  This position is also eligible for benefits.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  Qualified applicants should submit a letter of interest and current resume in one PDF document to:  directorsearch@hmoa.org 

Only applicants selected for interview will be contacted.

The HMA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and values diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the workplace. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

Position is open until filled, with review of applications to begin May 15, 2024.