Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, part of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, seeks a Head of Publications. Founded in 1881, the Kemper Art Museum is a nationally accredited university art museum that serves as a center of cultural and intellectual life on campus and in St. Louis. With some 8,700 artworks in its collection, the Museum has especially strong holdings in 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century American and European art and a growing collection of global art. Its mission is to collect significant modern and contemporary art and preserve its collection for current and future generations; provide excellence in art historical research, exhibition, and object-based learning; and engage the campus population, its visitors and alumni, the St. Louis region, and the global art community.

The Head of Publications is a senior position that provides the strategic vision for the department of Museum Publications including developing and realizing initiatives in art historical scholarship, interdisciplinarity and educational access. This role is responsible for the development, management, and implementation of Museum publications in support of the mission of the Museum. The Head of Publications works with curatorial staff and outside contributors to produce scholarly publications in conjunction with the permanent collection, special exhibitions, and related programs. The Head of Publications establishes, promotes, and ensures standards of excellence in all printed materials related to museum communication. They also write and edit government and foundation grants as well as institutional documents. This position plays a key role in the formation and implementation of short and long-range institutional goals. The successful candidate will bring in-depth expertise with museum publications and a demonstrated interest in advancing scholarship and the educational mission of university museums. Oversees the departments of Publications and Marketing & Communications, supervises the Production Editor and Manager of Marketing & Communications.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Acts as project manager and editor for all exhibition catalogs and other scholarly museum publications, at least one major book per year.
• Edits and manages all print materials representing the Museum, including exhibition and permanent collection didactics, marketing and promotion materials, and institutional documents. The Museum presents at least four exhibitions and two permanent collection rotations per year.
• Oversees the marketing department comprised two full time marketing staff. Oversees Marketing and Communications materials to ensure they adhere with museum standards and voice.
• Writes and edits local, national, and international grant applications to foundations, corporations, and federal agencies; contributes to documents in support of University Advancement fundraising efforts including annual progress reports.
• Oversees and plans publications budgets and develops and implements production schedules; negotiates scholarly exhibition catalogue and book contracts with authors, publishers, distributors, designers, and freelance editors.
• Edits, manages, and collaborates with faculty and senior administrators on the development and implementation of Sam Fox School/ Museum publications including annual and fundraising reports.
• Provides administrative leadership in relation to national accreditation and coordinates department job searches.
• Strengthens networking partnerships with peer editors, publishers, and university museums.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

​Working Conditions

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.

Equipment

• Office equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Publications Editing, Writing, Production Or A Related Field (3 Years)

Skills:

N