Executive Director of Historic Museums

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, 34 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates and continuing education programs.

As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.

Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, diversity, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming, diverse college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, now owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is committed to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting the freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct. For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.

Under the direction of the Executive Director of the School of Continuing & Professional Studies, the Executive Director of Historic Museums serves as the administrative officer, Academic liaison, and chief curator of Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion, the Sallie Ellis Davis House, Andalusia, and other historic museums as assigned. The Executive Director is responsible for public relations, policy making, planning, staffing, revenue generation and fund raising, and directing and coordinating educational programming.

Operations Management - 20
Oversees the day-to-day operations of Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion, the Sallie Ellis Davis House, Andalusia, and other historic museums as assigned to ensure quality, efficiency, and the highest professional standards and museum practices, including continued accreditation.

Supervision - 20
Ensures that the historic museums are appropriately staffed and that staff are well trained and professional.

Directing - 20
Provides oversight and consultation for the ongoing historic preservation and maintenance of Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion, the Sallie Ellis Davis House, Andalusia and associated locations, and other historic museums as assigned; Works harmoniously with the appropriate university offices to ensure the maintenance, cleanliness, safety, and security of the buildings and the grounds, including the collections and donated assets; Ensures the historic integrity and fabric of the buildings are retained according to professional museum standards.

Coordinating - 10
Coordinates and maintains the good public relations efforts of Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion, the Sallie Ellis Davis House, Andalusia, and other historic museums as assigned; Conducts research related to the museums, their property, and their collections; Coordinates exhibits and develops and implements educational programming, tours, and other events to attract visitors and help them gain a better understanding and appreciation of the sites.

Budget - 10
Implements the budgets of the museums within the operating guidelines and procedures of the university to ensure that the accounts remain in good financial condition; Works to increase funding support through fundraising in conjunction with University Advancement, development of revenue-generating educational programs and events, grant writing, and friend-raising; Actively seeks to acquire period-appropriate collection pieces and ensures proper interpretation, conservation, and exhibition of objects comprising the collections.

Other - 10
Assumes other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director of the School of Continuing & Professional Studies and university administration, or as necessary for the effective, efficient, and professional operation of the museums, their grounds, and their collections.

Academic Liaison - 10
The Executive Director of Historic Museums will also play a crucial role in collaboration with the Flannery O'Connor Institute for the Humanities, contributing to the integration of scholarly research with public programming. This individual will be responsible for fostering a collaborative environment between the institute and the museum, coordinating research projects, managing academic partnerships, and promoting interdisciplinary studies. The Executive Director of Historic Museums will work closely with the Director of the Flannery O'Connor Institute for the Humanities, as well as faculty, researchers, and external experts to develop and implement educational initiatives, seminars, and publications that enhance the institute's academic reputation and support the mission of Historic Museums. This role requires a visionary leader with a strong background in academia, exceptional organizational skills, and a passion for advancing historical scholarship.

Upon hire, candidates who possess SACSCOC-qualified credentials may be eligible for appointment as non-tenure track faculty.

Educational Requirements
Master's degree from a regionally accredited university in History, Public History, Architectural History, Museum Studies, or related discipline.

Required Experience
3 or more years of administrative and/or leadership experience in an academic, museum, and/or research setting (e.g., experience as a director of a museum, center or institute director).

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Ph.D. from a regionally accredited university.

Preferred Experience
Understanding of the academic environment.

ABILITIES
Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to include faculty, staff, students, departmental and senior administrators, community leadership, and members of associations/organizations whose mission supports curation, exhibition, and scholarship of historic museums.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to supervise and lead others.
Ability to plan and organize work.
Ability to set and achieve goals.
Ability to exercise sound judgment.
Ability to take initiative and be resourceful.
Ability to identify and review problem situations, make independent decisions and/or recommend solutions.
Ability to think tactically and strategically.
Ability to function independently.
Ability to take risks and learn from mistakes.

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of American history.
Knowledge and background in one or more of the following: Public History, Architectural History, or Historic Preservation.
Knowledge of professional museum standards, ethics, and practices.

SKILLS
Work history that exemplifies the highest standards for museum exhibitions and programming, research, education, public outreach, and service.
Successful experience supervising staff and volunteer/student workers.
Documented experience with fiscal management.
Excellent computer skills and experience with a variety of computer applications.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity conducted by GCSU.

Georgia College & State University is a national award-winning institution in areas of student success and achievement. It strives to achieve excellence in the composition of its community, educational programs, university policies, research and scholarship, campus life, employment practices, extracurricular activities, and community outreach. It is a priority of the university to be a welcoming and inclusive environment so that its campus culture will enhance the ability of its community members to succeed in their endeavors, to be respected as individuals, and to feel a sense of belonging.

This is a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel.
This position does not require security clearance.

• Criminal Background Check
• Education Verification
• DMV
• Drug Screening