Strategic & Executive Leadership:

• Provide clear strategic direction for SMoCA in alignment with the President & CEO and the Scottsdale Arts Strategic Plan.

• Develop and implement a long-range vision and multi-year strategic roadmap for exhibitions, collections growth and conservation, audience engagement, and institutional advancement.

• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team on organization-wide strategy, cross-divisional collaboration, and institutional priorities.

• Establish measurable goals and key performance indicators and communicate progress to the CEO, the Senior Management Team, the Board of Trustees, the Advisory Council, and other stakeholders.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusiveness, innovation, and performance across the museum.

Museum Operations & Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of exhibitions, collections, education, public programs, retail operations, and museum administration.

• Ensure that exhibition planning, collections stewardship, and public programming align with the museum’s strategic vision and contemporary relevance.

• Oversee and ensure compliance with AAM accreditation standards and museum best practices, including leading reaccreditation processes and ongoing institutional assessment.

• Guide institutional planning to ensure excellence in collections management, conservation standards, risk management, and ethical practices.

• Ensure that museum operations meet the highest standards of accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion in both practice and programmatic expression.

• Empower team to operate effectively within their areas of expertise while maintaining cohesive direction and fiscal discipline.

Financial & Resource Stewardship

• Develop and manage the annual operating budget and capital budgets for SMoCA in partnership with the Assistant Director and with finance leadership.

• Ensure fiscal accountability and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

• Collaborate with Development staff to identify funding priorities, cultivate donor relationships, support grant proposals, and participate in donor solicitations.

• Provide strategic oversight of fundraising initiatives specific to exhibitions, acquisitions, programs, and special projects.

• Support earned revenue strategies and audience development initiatives in collaboration with Marketing, Programming, and Visitor Engagement teams.

Community Engagement & External Relations

• Serve as the Primary spokesperson and public representative of SMoCA by building meaningful partnerships that expand access, deepen community engagement, and position the museum as a vital cultural resource.

• Actively cultivate and maintain relationships with artists, collectors, galleries, scholars, cultural leaders, peer institutions, and community stakeholders.

• Elevate SMoCA’s visibility and influence locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

• Represent the museum at public events, openings, lectures, civic gatherings, and professional conferences.

Governance & Advisory Leadership

• Lead and collaborate with the SMoCA Advisory Council to refine and advance institutional priorities.

• Oversee the Acquisition Committee in partnership with Registrar and Collections Manager, guiding collections growth consistent with mission, strategy, and fiduciary responsibility.

• Provide regular reports and strategic updates to the Board of Trustees and other governance bodies.

Education: Master’s Degree in Art History, Arts Administration, Museum Studies or related field. Doctorate preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in a contemporary art museum or comparable cultural institution.

• Demonstrated senior-level leadership with responsibility for strategic planning, staff oversight, and budget management.

• Experience working within accredited institutions and knowledge of AAM standards.

• Proven experience supporting fundraising, donor cultivation, grant writing, and acquisition strategy.

• Experience working effectively with advisory boards or governance bodies.

• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams while fostering autonomy and accountability.

Attributes

• Visionary strategic thinker with the ability to translate ideas into actionable plans.

• Collaborative leadership style that empowers experts while maintaining organizational cohesion.

• Exceptional relationship-building skills across diverse constituencies.

• Financial acumen with experience managing complex institutional budgets.

• Strong public speaking and written communication skills.

• High emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and sound judgement.

• Deep knowledge of contemporary art and museum practice.

• Demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and ability to lead through change.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusive leadership.

Work Environment

• Primarily office and museum environment; requires standing, walking, and event participation.

• Must be available for evenings and weekends as required for events and programs.

• Must hold and maintain a valid Arizona driver’s license with acceptable driving records and appropriate proof of insurance