Museums Director and Chief Curator

Position Title:

Museums Director and Chief Curator Job Group:

Professional & Scientific Required Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree and 8 years of related experience

Job Description:

Do you want to lead a nationally respected teaching museum where collections are actively used in the classroom across disciplines? Are you inspired by the opportunity to teach students through direct engagement with original works of art, material culture, and one of the largest campus public art collections in the country? If so, University Museums at Iowa State University invites a forward-thinking, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as its next Warren and Beverly Madden Endowed University Museums Director and Chief Curator! The Director and Chief Curator will shape the next chapter of a teaching museum known for integrating art and material culture into academic life, fostering interdisciplinary inquiry, and creating meaningful experiences that spark discovery and critical thinking. Leading a permanent collection of more than 30,000 objects spanning ten centuries and multiple continents, the Director and Chief Curator will steward thoughtful growth, care, interpretation, and scholarship that deepen University Museums' impact on teaching, research, and public engagement. The Director and Chief Curator will partner with faculty and university leadership to expand object-based teaching across disciplines; guide bold, intellectually rigorous exhibitions and programs; and elevate University Museums' regional, national, and international profile. The role offers the opportunity to champion original scholarship, strengthen community and donor relationships, and help shape a unified vision for the arts at a world-class Research I institution. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Specialty Business and Cultural Arts, the Warren and Beverly Madden Endowed University Museums Director and Chief Curator oversees all museum activities, including strategic planning, curatorial leadership, donor relations, collections stewardship, educational programming, development, and personnel management. The successful candidate will bring deep knowledge of the arts, a commitment to the values of a practical and engaged education, and the leadership capacity to advance a mission-driven museum that embodies the spirit and responsibilities of a public land‑grant university.

What You'll Do:

Provide strategic and operational leadership for University Museums, aligning mission, priorities, and resources with university goals and museum best practices. Lead curatorial vision, collections stewardship, and exhibition programming across all museum sites to advance teaching, research, and public engagement. Foster interdisciplinary partnerships with faculty, academic units, museums, and community organizations to expand object‑based learning and access to the collections. Serve as the chief advocate and public representative for University Museums locally, nationally, and internationally. Oversee personnel, budgets, policies, and accreditation to ensure effective operations and organizational excellence. Build philanthropic support through donor cultivation, fundraising strategy, and collaboration with advancement partners. This position will be classified as a Museums Director. This role involves occasional travel, including nationwide travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated experience working with donors and corporate funders (fundraising) Experience with grant writing and securing grant funding Demonstrated executive-level leadership Experience with budget formulation using multiple funding sources Experience developing academic and/or educational programs Demonstrated knowledge of museum curatorial and collections management software

Department/Program & College Description:

University Museums is a distinctive, multifaceted museum system comprising Brunnier Art Museum, Christian Petersen Art Museum, Farm House Museum (a National Historic Landmark), Anderson Sculpture Garden, and the Art on Campus Collection and Program—one of the nation's largest campus public art collections, with more than 2,700 works enlivening a 1,900-acre land‑grant campus. As a vital contributor to Iowa State's land‑grant mission of teaching, research, scholarship, and public service, University Museums is a dynamic cultural and intellectual resource for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and communities across Iowa. University Museums has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1983.

Department Unit/Website:

Iowa State University Museums Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. This position serves at the pleasure of university administration and is exempt from certain P&S policies. This posting will be open until filled. However, to receive full consideration, applications need to be submitted before May 14th, 2026.

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: Resume/Curriculum Vitae Letter of Application/Cover Letter Why Choose Iowa State University? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as: Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) Life insurance and long-term disability Flexible Spending Accounts Various voluntary benefits and discounts Employee Assistance Program Wellbeing program Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or

Toll Free:

1-877-477-7485. This position serves at the pleasure of university administration and is exempt from certain P&S policies.

Appointment Type:

Regular Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12

Month Work Period Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS814

Original Posting Date:

April 30, 2026

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:

R19096 Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu. General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications. By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work. All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check. Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu. If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or

Toll-Free:

(877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942. General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.