The Associate Director for Research, Collections, and Curatorial Affairs at the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) is responsible for all research, curatorial, and collections aspects of NASM's work, encompassing such diverse functions as acquisitions and management of collections, research, exhibits, publications, public service, conservation, preservation, and restoration of artifacts, and outreach on curatorial and collections matters. 

Duties

The Associate Director for Research, Collections, and Curatorial Affairs provides overall curatorial voice, input, and executive level advice to the Director of the Museum. The incumbent will also provide executive leadership and direction in the overall planning, development and implementation of all programs, policies, and priorities of the Research, Collections, and Curatorial Affairs Directorate. Determines and establishes the direction and emphasis for all scientific and historical research and collections care conducted at the NASM.Directs and coordinates the efforts of curators, scientists, archivists, conservators, museum specialists, and other Directorate staff to ensure that a high quality of performance is maintained and that subordinate supervisors are executing their duties effectively. Provides leadership and encourages staff to develop new and innovative ways to achieve program improvements. In conjunction with the Director and other Associate Directors formulates strategic plans, policies, priorities, and program goals and objectives to accomplish the long and short-term goals of the Museum. Advises and assists the Director in making policy decisions and setting priorities regarding all curatorial affairs. The Associate Director for Research, Collections, and Curatorial Affairs should create a stimulating and effective environment for research and collections care and ensure that exhibitions are produced that appeal to a multiplicity of audiences.Explores and develops joint or pan-institutional program in collaboration with other museums and organizations. Encourages subordinate staff to establish and cultivate collaborative relationships with these organizations to advance the interests of NASM and SI and to foster and promote NASM programs.Allocates resources among subordinate Departments and assures that adequate internal controls are in place and that resources are managed with museum guidelines. Works with subordinate supervisors to establish work priorities, outcome goals and success metrics for individual programs, workforce, and resource levels. Identifies programs that require outside funding support and determines potential sources of this support.Directs a large staff of professional, technical and support employees. Exercises supervisory duties to include full performance management duties and ensures that subordinate supervisors are exercising these same duties. Keeps apprised of disciplinary or other employee relation issues involving key subordinates. Ensures that subordinate supervisors are responsible for completing Museum Annual Plan (MAP) actions and meeting Museum Key Performance Indicators and metrics.Represents the Director, as necessary, at a variety of meetings and conferences with delegated authority to commit Museum resources or make decisions affecting the museum’s research, collections care, exhibition, or facility related issues and involving personnel and financial resources.Maintains an active curatorial program that makes contributions in research, collections stewardship, exhibition development, and public service.

Requirements

• Pass Pre-Employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS A degree in Museum Education, Management, or a related field; or a combination of education and appropriate experience that provides knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a four-year course of study in an applicable subject matter field. A PhD in a related field is preferred.    SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE  In addition, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 level. Specialized experience is defined as the demonstrated knowledge and leadership skills as it relates to managing functions such as exhibitions development, research, collections development and care, publications and outreach programming of large museum, research or cultural organization with an emphasis on aviation and space history, or planetary science.The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:1. Demonstrated expertise in the field of aviation, spaceflight, or planetary science as applied to curatorial and scholarly leadership including managing functions such as acquisitions and management of collections, research, exhibits, publications, public service, conservation, preservation, and restoration of artifacts, and outreach on curatorial and collections matters.2. Demonstrated leadership experience at the managerial level that includes goal setting, planning and implementing programs, and establishing metrics and reporting protocols.3. Demonstrated skill in executive level budgeting and resource management.4. Demonstrated skill in leading, supervising, and managing a multi-disciplined and culturally diverse workforce, including fostering teamwork and high morale; attracting, retaining, motivating, and providing guidance to a diverse workforce; and implementing EEO/Affirmative Action policies and programs.

Contacts

• Address SMITHSONIAN Office of Human Resources POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517 Suite 5060 Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012 United States
• Name: Suleyka Lozins
• Phone: 202-633-6334
• Email: [email protected]