Director

Director – National Museum of African Art

About National Museum of African Art Founded in 1964, the National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) inspires conversations about the beauty, power, and diversity of African arts and cultures worldwide. Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., NMAfA houses the largest collection of African art in the United States, with more than 12,000 objects. The Museum collaborates with African museums and cultural organizations on exhibitions, training, and public education initiatives. NMAfA’s educational programs help increase understanding of cultural and artistic traditions through the lens of Africa.

The Opportunity The Director of the National Museum of African Art has responsibility for the overall strategy, direction, development, and management of all museum programs and activities. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

1. Vision and strategy: Provides intellectual vision and overall leadership for NMAfA; formulates high-level strategic plans to achieve its overall mission.
2. Internal executive leadership: Provides executive oversight of all NMAfA departments and teams; makes policy decisions concerning NMAfA programs.
3. Fundraising and external leadership: Serves as the key communicator for the Museum; leads effective fundraising initiatives to support programs.
4. Team management: Recruits and leads an exceptional team, ensuring operations and systems are strong.
5. Financial management: Oversees the development and execution of the annual operating budget for the Museum.
6. Collaboration: Works closely with Smithsonian leadership and other Directors to further the Smithsonian’s mission.
7. Collection management: Develops criteria for acquisition of artworks and seeks input from the Advisory Board.

Candidate Profile The ideal candidate will be an inspiring and collaborative leader with a proven track record in one of the core fields related to Africa and the arts. They should demonstrate a high level of achievement in developing compelling strategies, building financial support, and engaging diverse audiences. A genuine passion for African art and culture is essential.

Compensation & Benefits Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $290,000 – $350,000 with a generous benefits package.

Contact Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. To express interest in this role, please submit a letter of interest and resume by filling out our Talent Profile: https://apptrkr.com/5059898, or email the team directly at Smithsonian_NMAFAdirector@koyapartners.com.