What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President for Museums position at Historical Society Of Western Penns?
About the Senator John Heinz History Center
The Senator John Heinz History Center is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum and a first-day Pittsburgh attraction that presents compelling stories from American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection, all in an interactive and engaging environment for visitors of all ages. The largest history museum in Pennsylvania, the AAM-accredited History Center attracts large and diverse audiences to its 370,000-square-foot facility in Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District that includes six floors of long-term and changing exhibition space along with spectacular spaces for special events.
The History Center’s family of museums includes the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, a dynamic museum-within-a-museum; the Fort Pitt Museum in Point State Park; and Meadowcroft Rockshelter & Historic Village, a National Historic Landmark located in Avella, Washington County, Pa. The History Center also leads a partnership of more than 125 regional historical societies, museums, and organizations dedicated to preserving local history – the History Center Affiliates Program.
A popular destination for families and visitors to our region, the History Center attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually and reaches millions through virtual programs and digital outreach. The History Center was recently recognized as America’s #1 History Museum by USA TODAY and “Pittsburgh’s Best Museum” by Pittsburgh Magazine.
Position Description
The Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh’s oldest cultural institution (1879) and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Vice President for Museums.
As a key member of the Executive team reporting to the President & CEO, and partnering with other senior executive leaders, the Vice President for Museums assumes a strategic role in the overall management of the History Center. The position has primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing all museum-related activities of the History Center and works to plan and maintain exhibitions and acquire and preserve mission-related collections. This includes responsibility for managing staff, budgeting, exhibition scheduling, collections management, partnering with related museums (regionally and nationally), and strategic planning.
The Vice President for Museums must have strong academic, analytical, planning, and communication skills necessary to collaborate with the History Center’s President & CEO, Executive Vice President, Board Members, senior leadership staff, History Center staff members, and partner organizations (e.g. Smithsonian, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, History Center Affiliates).
The Vice President for Museums directly oversees the exhibitions and collections at the flagship Heinz History Center and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. The position supervises departments that provide museum services to Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, the Fort Pitt Museum, and future expansion projects that include the development of a museum dedicated to African American history. The Vice President for Museums also coordinates occasional traveling exhibitions created for History Center Affiliate Program museums.
This is a full-time, salaried / exempt position reporting to the President & CEO.
- The successful candidate must possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree (PhD preferred) in History, Public History, Humanities, Anthropology, or related fields.
- Significant management experience with museums (preferably AAM accredited) and non-profit organizations.
- Demonstrated experience in museums, public history, historical research and writing, and/or exhibitions.
- Experience with strategic planning, budgeting, grant and project management.
- Outstanding oral and written communication and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated leadership ability, confidence, and executive presence – ability to motivate staff and work with trustees and stakeholders.
- Excellent analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills
- Engaged with museum/history professional organizations and aware of current issues in the field.
Why Work at the History Center?
- Rewarding, mission-driven work that makes an impact in the community!
- Smithsonian-affiliated Museum located in Pittsburgh’s vibrant and historic Strip District
- Voted the #1 history museum in the nation by USA Today
- Voted Best Museum in Pittsburgh by Pittsburgh Magazine
- Highly professional, collegial staff and dedicated volunteers
- Located in Pittsburgh, one of America’s “most livable” cities
- Dynamic workplace in Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District
- Full benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
- 403(B) retirement plans with employer match
- Paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick days)
- Nine (9) paid holidays
- Company paid life insurance / LTD
- Wellness and Employee Assistance Program
- Discounts in the Museum Shop and Café
- Public transportation and parking options nearby
The History Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The History Center celebrates diversity and is committed to treating all applicants & employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other classification protected by law.
