Assistant Director

Published: September 19, 2024    Jobs, Museum Director / President

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/

  • Job Posting
  • Assistant Director
  • Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 
  • Job Location: Oklahoma-Norman-Norman Campus
  • Schedule: Full-time
  • Work Schedule: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays
  • Work Type: Onsite
  • Salary Range: Targeted salary $90,000-$95,000 based on experience
  • Benefits Provided: Yes
  • Required Attachments: Resume, Cover Letter
  • Application Instructions
  • To apply, go to https://jobs.ou.edu and apply for job 242423.

Job Description

The Assistant Director of the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is a senior management position that reports to the Director and is responsible for the strategic oversight, management, and leadership, and of multi-faceted museum departments. The Assistant Director is responsible for administration of the museum’s departments of Visitor Services (Guest Services, Gift Shop, Facility Rentals, and Special Events), Membership, and Public Relations and Marketing and supervision of 8 permanent and up to 10 student employees. This individual should be a strategic, creative thinker, committed to and enthusiastic about natural and cultural history, and have the ability to assist with the development of grant applications. The Assistant Director should have a demonstrated ability to work collegially with the Director, Associate Director, Board members, OU Foundation, and other stakeholders, and work within a team environment to support the Museum’s strategic goals and mission.

Duties:

  • Provides direct administrative management and oversight of the museum’s departments of Visitor Services (Guest Services, Gift Shop, Facility Rentals, and Special Events), Membership, and Public Relations and Marketing. Develops, recommends, and implements administrative, fiscal, and operational policies and guidelines. Maintains policy and procedure manuals and documents processes
  • Collaborates with museum and OU Foundation teams to prepare, submit, and manage grant applications to achieve membership, sponsorship, partnership, and fundraising goals and institutional priorities for museum initiatives and projects.
  • Prepares budgets, financial plans, and reports. Performs financial analyses to ensure that departmental goals are met. Analyzes departmental financial procedures and makes recommendations for changes and develops strategy for change.
  • Manages and participates in a variety of projects to ensure financial, quality, service, and operational goals are achieved. Plans and develops internal and/or external partnerships to market and further the museum’s mission.
  • Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position.

Located on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is part of exceptional academic and research communities. Furthermore, with affordable living costs and a diverse range of recreational activities, the city of Norman offers the appeal of a vibrant community with a small-town feel, paired with the cultural and educational opportunities presented by the University of Oklahoma. There are many perks to employment at The University of Oklahoma, including but not limited to:

  • 27 days of annual paid time off, increased with years of service
  • 14 paid holiday days off
  • Healthcare plan options to meet healthcare and financial needs
  • Retirement plan options
  • Two weeks of paid parental leave
  • Employee wellness program featuring activities to earn up to $300/year
  • Discounted athletic and cultural event tickets
  • Tuition Waiver Program; Discounted tuition and fees for yourself and other dependents
  • On-campus fitness and recreation centers, museums, gardens, and restaurants

Job Requirements

Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Management, Business Administration, or related field, AND:

  • 60 months of related experience in a university or healthcare environment or equivalent administrative position.

Skills:

  • Demonstrated administrative leadership and expertise to build effective partnerships, promoting a team approach to strategic planning, establishing priorities, and developing and implementing solutions to advance departments’ goals and objectives.
  • Experience using resources to identify grant-making prospects and funding opportunities and demonstrated success in developing and writing grants, proposals, and applications and in securing grants and contributing support from various constituencies, including existing and potential members, sponsors, donors, and community partners.
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented and the ability to prioritize and manage time, multitask, take initiative, problem solve, handle multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
  • Strong management, strategic, and operational skills, including preparing, analyzing, and interpreting organizational and program budgets and compiling financial information to create reports.
  • A high orientation to detail for accuracy of data and information with proven analytical and financial skills.
  • Excellent networking, interpersonal and relationship-building skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with interdepartmental teams and initiatives.
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills including the ability to speak and write clearly, succinctly, and persuasively to a wide audience.
  • Able to supervise staff and communicate directions and expectations effectively, including assigning and monitoring work.
  • Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing situations; must be able to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
  • Must be able to uphold confidentiality and protect member, donor, and sponsor privacy by exercising discretion and adhering to all standards, equity practices, ethics, and privacy rights.
  • Ability to acquire and maintain detailed knowledge and understanding of the museum, aligning the mission, vision, and strategy of the museum.
  • Able to handle complex situations with tact and poise, appropriately representing the Sam Noble Museum and its mission in the community.
  • Computer literacy and competency with Microsoft Office programs, especially Teams, and Office 365, and knowledge of ability platforms such as Zoom, Google Drive, and others.

Advertised Physical Requirements:

  • Standard office environment.
  • Able to speak, read, and write clear, concise English, including expressing oneself or exchanging information with others.
  • Able to hear including receiving detailed information orally or making fine discriminations in sound.
  • Able to see including color, depth, perception, or clarity.
  • Required to be mobile, bend, stoop, squat, climb, lift (15-44 pounds) and carry.
  • Able to reach including extending the arm or hand.
  • Able to engage in a repetitive motion.
  • Able to read handwritten documents.

Departmental Preferences:

  • Progressively responsible experience and demonstrated success in budgeting and financial planning and project management.
  • Experience in retail and merchandising, including familiarity with point-of-sale systems.
  • Experience in marketing and communications, including social media and websites.
  • Experience in visitor services, including special events and facility rentals.
  • Master’s degree
  • Administrative experience in a museum or other organization, grant or professional writing, marketing, education, or community philanthropic initiatives working in a museum, nonprofit, cultural, educational, or similar public institution.

Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy. To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma fosters an inclusive culture of respect and civility, belonging, and access, which are essential to our collective pursuit of excellence and our determination to change lives. The unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community enrich the learning, and working environment at OU, inspiring us to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, and health care services that the University operates or provides.

Hiring contingent upon a Background Check