McMaster University is currently reaching out to the community as we initiate the search for a new Director and Chief Curator, Museum of Art, a public gallery in the heart of main campus in Hamilton, Ontario. The Museum aims to positively disrupt the traditional museological narrative by creating more inclusive, dynamic and experiential relationships between peoples and artistic practices. The Director  and Chief Curator will continue to lead the momentum of existing strategic priorities for the Museum, while envisioning and building sustainable plans for the future.

About the Museum

The McMaster Museum of Art is a meeting space for both the campus and the community situated within the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations. The Museum engages, educates and inspires through: growing an awareness of the interconnectivity of the past, present and future; advancing de-colonization; engaging in innovative and imaginative research; dismantling institutional and ideological boundaries; partnering and collaborating with intentionality; diversifying the collection; and building capacity. The 2020-2025 Strategic Plan which provides further details on current priorities can be accessed here.

About the Director and Chief Curator Role

The Director and Chief Curator provides dynamic leadership in the determination and implementation of strategic, financial, fundraising, promotion and infrastructure, planning and priorities for the McMaster Museum of Art and the university art collection with full participation and guidance in all policy development and associated decision making.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), and collaborating with various community leaders, members, students and groups, the Director and Chief Curator will serve as a contributing member of the academic leadership team of the University. The Director and Chief Curator will also provide regular reporting updates to the President on strategic and long-range planning, Board related matters, the Levy Bequest and special events.

Core Accountabilities:

The Director and Chief Curator will lead a small team of professionals and oversee all strategic priorities and operational management of the Museum of Art.

• Initiates policies; implements procedures and appropriate reporting mechanisms to ensure compliance and fulfillment of fiduciary trust and legal obligations on the part of McMaster University for one of its single largest capital assets.
• Directs growth and development of the University art collection and the Levy Bequest; as well as operational management of the art collection to comply with responsibilities of public trust; and intellectual management of cultural and educational resources.
• Generates a broader, stable funding base for Museum operations through fundraising, external profile development, sponsorships, grant applications and special revenue generating activities.
• Represents the Museum and the University to donors, the media, all levels of government, private and public funding agencies, the national and international community of art museums and related public and educational programming.
• Provides academic support in a range of discipline areas.
• Develops a common vision for the Museum reflective of its varied constituents.
• Fiscal management of the Museum and associated capital assets, professionals, artists and art dealers.
• Develops and presents an annual schedule of exhibitions in collaboration with the curatorial team.

Related Experience:

The ideal candidate will have a passion for building community through the arts. They should be innovative, willing to engage constituents through traditional and non-traditional methods, and familiar with new and developing technology trends in the arts. They will have strength in relationship building and community engagement, a demonstrated track record of fundraising success, and experience working with diverse partners and teams including students, volunteers and donors. The successful candidate will have significant experience managing operations and staff leadership, administration, financial affairs, business development/marketing programs, strategic planning, and oversight of Board-directed initiatives.

• A bachelor’s degree in arts, business or museum sciences (master’s degree preferred); or an equivalent combination of education and related lived experience.
• 5+ years of successful managerial and leadership experience, as a director and/or administrator.
• Successful leadership in a fundraising capacity with a proven track record of both public and private fundraising abilities as well as grant funding for programs.
• Experience in financial management, including budget development and monitoring.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship building/networking skills.
• A high degree of cultural competence and experience working with and serving diverse populations.
• Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and reporting.

What We Offer

At McMaster University, our people are our most valuable asset. In our commitment to creating a brighter world, McMaster University strives to attract, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff, and to foster inclusive excellence which values the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of each individual.  McMaster’s profile and stature has evolved to one of the Top 100 Universities in the World.  McMaster is consistently recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton/Niagara region and one of Canada’s Top Diversity employers, and offers a very competitive Total Compensation Package that includes but is not limited to:

• Employer Paid benefits such as Extended Health, Dental, Emergency Out-of-Country Travel Coverage & Basic Life Insurance,
• Progressive paid annual vacation plan,
• Participation in a competitive Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP),
• Training, coaching and professional development opportunities,
• Employee tuition assistance for continuous development and education,
• Opportunity to be a part of an academic environment working alongside professionals who share a passion for learning.

For full details, reference McMaster’s Total Rewards website for additional information.

McMaster also offers a Flexible Work Environment, and this role will be eligible to participate in a hybrid work arrangement aligned with core operational requirements.

Additional Information

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey – Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Link to apply.