Jobs and Careers

Museum Manager, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC) Museum

Blacksburg, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 10 Jun 2025

💰 $50,000/yr

About the role

Job Description

The Corps of Cadets was established in 1872, with the establishment of the Virginia Agriculture and Mechanical College. Over 100 years passed before the concept of a Corps Museum was conceived in 1985 by then Commandant Lt. Gen. Howard M. Lane. For 30 years, it has been a diverse collection of Corps memorabilia: former uniforms and historical Corps or cadet related artifacts passed down and donated by alumni over the years. The history of the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech is the history of the University. The mission of the VTCC Museum is to tell the story of the Corps' past, present and future for not only future generations of cadets, but for the public as a whole. The museum strives to acquire, preserve and maintain a respectful and accessible collection and presentation of the rich history of the cadets who have gone on to serve honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States, as well as in the private sector.

In coordination with the Chief Advancement Officer and the Director of Alumni Relations, the Museum Manager is responsible for museum operations, to include day to day management of the museum and VTCC library. Responsibilities include informing the direction of the museum's mission, operating procedures, programming, and strategic engagement to ensure VTCC Museum and collection is accessible to constituents both internal and external to Virginia Tech. Lead museum in successful and sustained museum accreditation process. Provide oversight and direction to volunteers and cadet historians. Work with the Chief Advancement Officer on grant proposals and fundraising efforts to support museum operations and preservation funding. The Museum Manager will work collaboratively with the Corps of Cadets Advancement team on external communications, recording keeping, and engagement with donors and alumni to align strategic mission and vision.

Required Qualifications

Educational Background:
Bachelor’s degree in History, Art History, Anthropology, or a related field; equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Research Skills:
Proven ability to conduct thorough and accurate historical research.

Communication Proficiency:
Excellent written, verbal, and digital communication skills, including experience with instructional materials and public presentations.

Attention to Detail:
Exceptional accuracy and precision in handling information and tasks.

Volunteer Engagement:
Experience in working with and managing volunteers effectively.

Collections Management:
Demonstrated expertise in developing, organizing, and maintaining museum collections.

Team Collaboration:
Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative approach and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Technical Competency:
Proficient in using desktop software applications and database systems.

Preferred Qualifications

Educational Background:
Master’s degree in Material Culture, Museum Studies, or a closely related field is strongly preferred.

Museum Leadership Experience:
Proven experience in museum management, with a deep understanding of the philosophy, principles, and best practices in the operation and administration of history museums.

Collections and Ethics Expertise:
Strong knowledge of ethical standards and current issues related to collections documentation, care, preservation, accessibility, exhibitions, educational programming, and scholarly publications.

Technical and Creative Skills:
Demonstrated proficiency in technical, artistic, and communication skills relevant to museum work, including exhibit design and interpretive planning.

Software Proficiency:
Skilled in the use of museum-specific software platforms for collections management and digital engagement.

Professional Engagement:
Active involvement in the museum community through networking, professional associations, or collaborative projects.

Grant and Program Development:
Successful track record in grant writing and securing funding for museum initiatives.

Educational and Digital Outreach:
Experience in developing educational courses, as well as creating and managing web content and social media campaigns to support museum visibility and engagement.