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Association of Academic Museums & Galleries.

Executive Director – Burke Museum, University of Washington

Association of Academic Museums & Galleries., Seattle, Washington, us, 98127


Executive Director – Burke Museum, University of Washington

Founded in 1885 and designated the State Museum in 1899, the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is the oldest public museum in Washington State. Located on the northwest corner of the University of Washington (UW) campus in Seattle, the Burke Museum occupies an unrivaled position in the natural and cultural landscape of the Pacific Northwest. The Burke Museum is home to over 18 million biological, geological, and cultural objects from Washington state and around the world, preserving natural and cultural history and continuously generating new discoveries.In October 2019, the Burke opened its award-winning, new facility. The new Burke building, a $106 million public/private partnership, was funded by the State of Washington, UW, King County, City of Seattle, and the generous support of individual community members, foundations, and corporations. As part of the building’s design, the Burke’s curators and staff intentionally planned to demystify the research aspect of the museum by allowing patrons and visitors to see and gain access to diverse collections and specimens that would usually be hidden in storage areas. This innovative approach, which they call the “Inside-Out” model, is featured prominently in the stunning and spacious 113,000 sq. ft. building.THE POSITIONThe next Executive Director of the Burke Museum will have an exciting and rewarding opportunity to help build the Burke’s next phase of unprecedented growth and impact. Despite revenue loss during the pandemic, the Burke remains financially strong and debt-free, with its building currently open and attracting over 130,000 new visitors so far. The Executive Director, a collaborative, transparent, and energetic museum executive, provides overall vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the Burke Museum as one of the nation’s best academic natural history and culture museums. This position reports directly to the Dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of Washington and serves as an essential member of the Dean’s executive leadership team.QUALIFICATIONSAlongside a passionate, enthusiastic commitment to the vision and values of the Burke Museum, the ideal candidate will bring a minimum of seven to ten years of demonstrated senior-level leadership experience in building successful educational, science-based, and/or cultural institutions, including experience with earned revenue, fundraising, public education, strategic planning, program design, board relations, marketing, and communications. Strong cultural competence with a demonstrated commitment to decolonization and cultural equity will be critical.APPLICATIONThe Burke Museum has retained Campbell & Company to conduct this search. To be considered for this opportunity, please send a letter of interest and resume to: anc@campbellcompany.com

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