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Arab American National Museum Seeks Director
The Arab American National Museum seeks a new Museum Director.
Located in the heart of the Arab American community in Dearborn, Michigan, the Arab American National Museum (AANM) mission is to document, preserve and present the history, culture and contributions of Arab Americans. The AANM is the only museum in the United States dedicated to telling the story of Arab Americans. The AANM is a 38,500-sq.-ft. facility, opened to the public in May 2005. In spite of its short history, the AANM is already a Smithsonian Affiliate and has won numerous local and national awards. The AANM is a project of ACCESS, a 41-year-old human service and advocacy organization, based in Dearborn, Michigan.
The AANM is engaged in major local, national and international projects and coalitions that further its mission and enhance its reach and impact beyond its physical walls. These include conferences, cultural and educational outreach programs, traveling exhibitions and publications. The AANM enjoys strong relationships with local and national organizations and institutions, as well as with the Arab American communities in various U.S. cites.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Executive Director of ACCESS, the AANM Director brings critical leadership to the Museum with responsibility for the overall performance of the institution. The successful candidate will be a visionary and inspirational leader, capable of attracting, developing and inspiring a team of talented individuals to work collaboratively to actualize the institutions mission, vision and core values, and to develop and implement a dynamic strategic plan. This position requires passion, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit to drive the Museum’s continued growth in a challenging economic environment. It also requires understanding of the significance of new media as a powerful communication and development tool. The successful candidate will also be able to fully engage the AANM National Advisory Board and maximize its donations of time and resources.
The AANM Director will supervise a staff of approximately 20 full-time equivalent employees. He/She is responsible for an approximately $2.2 million annual budget. A significant portion of the Director’s responsibility is the financial stability and sustainability of the AANM, including maintaining current relationships and forming prospective relationships with foundations, corporations, government agencies, individual donors, volunteers and other stakeholders in various U.S. cities and establishing new relationships with those constituencies.
Leadership, Management and Oversight
Lead and inspire the AANM staff to work collaboratively to develop and implement strategic plans that actualize the institution’s mission, vision and core values. Lead the organization, setting vision and direction for future growth and success
Lead the staff to develop exciting and quality exhibitions and educational, cultural and artistic programming that both serves the museum’s mission and expands and diversifies its audiences and support base
Serve as the key liaison between ACCESS leadership, the Museum’s National Advisory Board and staff
Work with the chairs of the National Advisory Board (NAB) and its various committees on developing meeting agendas and reports
Work with the NAB members to keep them informed and to maximize their engagement
Manage financial oversight and monitoring, including budget discipline
Form strategic alliances and partnerships with other local and national museums, cultural and educational institutions as well as community-based organizations to achieve the museum’s goals
Develop appropriate tools to measure the performance, impact and results of various programs
Fundraising and Financial Management
Develop and oversee a robust fundraising plan to ensure the financial stability and sustainability of the Museum, including building the AANM endowment and its unrestricted revenue streams
Work closely with the ACCESS development department and the numerous Museum Friends Committees in various U.S. cities to maximize AANM development and fundraising efforts
Establish, sustain and expand relationships with foundations, corporations, government agencies and private donors
Assure the sound fiscal operation of the Museum, including timely, accurate and comprehensive development of an annual budget and its implementation
Plan for capital improvements and building maintenance through the budget process
Community and Public Relations
Represent the Board and the Museum to the community
Develop strong rapport with community members and work with a diverse organizations and population, both Arab and non-Arab
Strengthen the relationship of the AANM with local and national cultural institutions
Oversee marketing and public relations programs
Engage the national Arab American community including Friends of the Museum Committees in various U.S. cites to advance the work of the AANM
Human Resources
Review personnel positions and organizational structure to ensure the efficient, timely and effective work of the organization with personnel appropriate for the position
Establish objectives through the selection, development, motivation and evaluation of personnel
Specify staff roles and responsibilities, evaluate performance regularly and hold staff accountable for results
Work with ACCESS Human Resources to implement and maintain appropriate salary structures
TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS:
The ideal candidate will: be a charismatic, inspirational, strategic, creative and energetic leader who takes initiative and has the ability to articulate the mission of the Museum to its various constituencies; have a passion for the Arab American culture and appreciation of its diversity as well as passion for the immigrant experience; be an excellent communicator with strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills. The candidate must have the ability to develop and implement policies, procedures and systems necessary to elevate the Museum’s programming and educational-outreach initiatives in targeted regions, while overseeing the big picture and overall national reach and impact of the Museum.
The candidate should be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and oversee effective operation of administrative functions, anticipating problems and opportunities in advance and offering creative, practical solutions. The successful candidate will have strong strategic planning and management skills to run a comprehensive exhibition and educational organization. He/She will exhibit a professional manner when interacting with staff, board members, Museum visitors, contractors, vendors, donors and other funding sources. The ideal candidate will be a relationship builder who has strong critical thinking skills, technical expertise, organizational skills, logical priority-setting skills and displays good judgment and high moral character. The successful candidate will be able to manage and hold staff accountable to rigorous timelines and deliverables.
The candidate must have experience working with board members and donors; have strong experience in fundraising efforts; have an inclusive leadership style that endorses and encourages collaboration and open communication; be a consensus builder capable of developing rapport and trust with all staff while focusing and developing a team whose hallmark is a commitment to the care of and dedication to the clients served; accomplish goals through motivation and by setting an example for the staff and the community.
CAREER PATH LEADING TO THIS POSITION:
Although the successful candidate will most likely have solid leadership experience in the field of museum management, it is also possible that the individual may come from another career path in the nonprofit, public or for-profit sectors. He/She must have a minimum of 7-10 years of senior management experience that demonstrates the ability to conceptualize, plan, implement, administer, evaluate, communicate and develop resources with a strong emphasis on results. Candidate must have extensive knowledge of the history, culture and diversity of the Arab American community, along with scholarly knowledge and publications.
COMPENSATION:
Salary and benefits commensurate with qualifications and experience will be provided. Relocation assistance is negotiable.
To apply, send resume and cover letter to ACCESS Human Resources, Attention Moe Hussein at mhussein@accesscommunity.org or via the ACCESS website www.accesscommunity.org.