Associate Director, Collections - Schomburg Center

Department: Collections

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Schomburg Center

Compensation: $130,000 - $140,000 / year

Description

To learn more about this opportunity and/or apply, please contact:
Tory Clarke
Partner, Bridge Partners
tory.clarke@bridgepartnersllc.com

The Organization Founded in 1925 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2017, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the collection, preservation, and study of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. 
A research library of the New York Public Library, one of the largest public library systems in the world, the Schomburg Center features diverse programming and collections spanning over 10 million items, and has illuminated the richness of black history, arts, and experience worldwide for nearly a century. 
The Center is committed to maximizing free and public access to its one-of-a-kind collections, exhibitions, educational activities, and much of its programming.
The Role Location: New York City Reports to: Director, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, NYPL Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities: The Associate Director manages medium-specific curators along with associated curatorial staff

Position Summary The Associate Director (AD) of Collections is a key member of the Schomburg Center’s senior leadership team and  will provide leadership and vision for its four curatorial divisions, playing a critical role in shaping the future of Schomburg’s significant and historic collections, ensuring that it remains a leader in the field. 
The successful candidate will be an engaged, collaborative, and experienced leader who can provide dynamic vision and mentorship to a stellar team of curators and curatorial staff while stewarding this singular collection and providing greater access to diverse audiences.
Reporting to the Center’s Director, the Associate Director Collections will be responsible for managing the regular and successful operations of special collection divisions – Art and Artifacts; Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books; Moving Image and Recorded Sound; and Photographs and Prints - establishing collecting priorities and processes, and engaging new ways of sharing the institution’s rich collection.

The AD regularly collaborates with the Associate Director of Research Services and other members of the senior leadership team, external stakeholders, and other departments and colleagues within the Schomburg Center and across The New York Public Library to ensure that system-wide goals are accomplished.

Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Schomburg Center Director, the Associate Director of Collections will:

• Provide leadership in developing and shaping a vision for the future of collecting at the Schomburg, in collaboration with the Director, the  curatorial team, and other stakeholders.
• With other members of the senior leadership team, help set, articulate and ensure delivery of institutional priorities.
• Oversee the daily management of special collections operations, including creating new processes and procedures where needed.
• Lead a team of experienced professionals, and identify professional development and training needs for all curatorial and related staff at all career levels.
• Collaborate with NYPL’s departments on matters relating to preservation, access, description, digitization, policy and stewardship of the collection, in its multiplicity of formats.
• Understand copyright and intellectual property issues relating to archives and special collections and answering complex reference questions regarding collection access, permissions, and copyright.
• With curatorial staff identify, learn and innovate around new methods for sharing and expanding the use of the Schomburg’s collections.
• Work with curatorial staff and other Schomburg leaders to consider and develop fresh and innovative approaches to shaping curatorial projects, particularly in regard to collaboration around interpretive projects, exhibitions and other public uses that showcase Schomburg’s rich collections.
• Identify and assist with grants and other funding opportunities related to capacity building and special Schomburg projects related to collections.
• Follow emerging trends and innovations to stay updated with the latest developments in library science, public service methodologies, and digital tools. 
• Manage and/or collaborate on legacy initiat