Job Listings (last updated 7/1)

Director - The State Museum of Pennsylvania

Position Summary

The State Museum of Pennsylvania (SMOP) seeks a strategic, collaborative leader to serve as its Director. As a bureau of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), the Museum brings Pennsylvania’s natural and cultural history to life through collections of more than 12 million artifacts spanning cultural history, art, archaeology, geology, paleontology, and natural history. Over the next several years, the Museum will undergo a $58 million transformation — the largest investment in the complex since 1964. This is a rare opportunity for a mission-driven museum leader to guide a statewide institution through a once-in-a-generation renewal. The Director will shape a reimagined visitor experience, deepen community engagement, collaborate with staff and steward collections through the transition, championing the importance of Pennsylvania’s history now and for the future. PHMC seeks a collaborative, experienced museum leader with a passion for public history who will serve as a visible, compelling spokesperson, sustain engagement during closure, build momentum for reopening, and thrive in the Museum’s public-sector environment.

The Museum has an annual operating budget of approximately $4 million, as well as a planned capital budget of approximately $80 million over 10 years to support continued exhibition development. Salary begins at $115,000 and includes a competitive Commonwealth benefits package. The start date is projected for late summer 2026. The search is being led by Syrah Gunning of the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management.

During the upcoming period of renovation and renewal, the Director will have the opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the Museum’s public identity and advancing its approach to sharing Pennsylvania’s fascinating, complex, and important history. The Museum expects to be closed to the public from August 2026 to early 2029 and to stay visible during that period through virtual offerings and community-based outreach. During this renovation period, the Director will:

- Ensure a strong virtual and community presence during the closure and strong statewide engagement upon its reopening. Build and sustain high-impact partnerships across agencies, Tribal nations, cultural organizations, schools, and communities to broaden participation through this period.

- Collaborate with PHMC leadership and SMOP divisions (curatorial, education & operations, and exhibition management) to realize the exhibition, programming, and visitor experience plans outlined in the

renovation and reopening plan. This will require the development of new standing exhibits, lesson plans, tours and programs.

- Lead the development of new web content and marketing collateral to share these renewed opportunities with visitors. These efforts will explore Pennsylvania’s rich history through compelling stories, dynamic

and immersive displays, and engaging and interactive experiences.

- Identify new or expanded opportunities for earned revenue that leverage the new exhibits, programs, experiences, and spaces. The renovation will include reimagining the museum stores and developing a facility management strategy that maximizes use and rental of the new spaces.

- Strengthen organizational sustainability by analyzing and improving internal systems including benchmarking new initiatives and developing supporting policies, procedures, and systems.

- Oversee collection stewardship priorities necessary in the renovation, including policy updates and plans for collections movement and preparation for new spaces.

- Expand access to collections and research through digitization and improved collections data and catalog systems.

The Director also serves as a member of the PHMC's senior management team and has the opportunity to participate in PHMC-wide leadership, coordinate cross-bureau initiatives, and serve as a liaison to other stateagencies and partners.

Salary Range

Start date: Negotiable; projected for late summer 2026.

- Salary: Compensation begins at $115,000 and will be informed by a variety of factors, including but not limited to experience and qualifications.

Benefits: The PHMC offers a comprehensive suite of benefits to all Commonwealth employees.

How to Apply

Learn more and about how to apply here.

Executive Director - Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia

Position Summary

Founded in 1724 as a guild, The Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia is one of the country’s most historically significant nonprofit organizations. By preserving and interpreting Carpenters’ Hall, its unique membership of architects, engineers, and builders celebrate their preeminent role in the American story past and future; Pulitzer Prize-winning public historian David McCollough called Carpenters’ Hall “ the acorn of American democracy”. The organization is seeking an Executive Director who is passionate about American History, Carpenters’ Hall and The Company and is a strategic and creative leader.

The successful candidate will possess strong management capabilities, preferably with a nonprofit membership organization, including fundraising, financial management, team building, and talent management. The candidate will be the Company’s leading voice and champion, enhancing the organization’s identity both locally and nationally.

Salary Range

Salary range $130,000-$150,000 with a comprehensive benefit package retirement plan with employer matching contributions.

How to Apply

The Carpenters’ Company is an EEO Employer.

Desired start date: December 2026

Submissions of interest in the position will consist of cover letter and resume directed to Carpenters’

Company Search Committee at cboyce@intermissionllc.com. Applications received by August 1, 2026

will receive full consideration in confidence.

See full job description here.

Director and Curator of Public Engagement and Research, Institute of Contemporary Art

Position Summary

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023. Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play. The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Job Description Summary

About ICA and Penn: The Institute of Contemporary Art is a non-collecting, research-driven contemporary art museum at the University of Pennsylvania. ICA is dedicated to presenting new work by emerging and established artists and to advancing public engagement as a form of research, experimentation, and civic exchange. As part of Penn, ICA serves students, faculty, and the broader public through exhibitions, programs, and partnerships that connect contemporary art to pressing cultural and social questions.

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at the University of Pennsylvania seeks a Director and Curator of Public Engagement and Research to lead the museum's public-facing, educational, and research-driven work. Reporting to the Daniel Deitrich II, Director and serving as a key member of ICA's senior leadership team, this role advances ICA's artist-centered, non-collecting, and research-based mission through innovative public programs, artist-led interdisciplinary inquiries, community and campus partnerships, and pedagogical initiatives. Grounded in the original meaning of "institute"-thus serving as a home for study and purpose-this position is central to ICA's identity as a new generation institution: radically welcoming to audiences, recognized as a testing ground by and for artists, and committed to inquiry, dialogue, and civic engagement.

Essential Functions

Institutional Leadership & Strategy • Provide strategic leadership for ICA's public engagement and research initiatives in alignment with the museum's mission, values, and long-term goals. • Serve on ICA's senior leadership team, contributing to institutional planning, sustainability, and organizational culture. • Embed principles of inclusion, access, and justness across all areas of responsibility. Public Engagement, Research, and Platforms • Lead the development of research-informed public programs, artist-led projects, lectures, performances, symposia, and publications to extend, expand, and conceive of ICA's exhibitions and commissioned projects. • Advance experimental pedagogical approaches, including co-production and collaborative knowledge-making with artists, scholars, students, and diverse communities. • Oversee the conceptual development and production of interpretive and scholarly publications in collaboration with colleagues in Curatorial and Communications.

Community Engagement & Civic Impact • Guide ICA's community engagement as a long-term, relationship-based practice rooted in reciprocity, accountability, and sustained partnership. • Cultivate meaningful relationships with artists, community organizations, educators, and civic partners throughout Philadelphia, nationally, and internationally, with particular attention to historically under-served communities. • Integrate community engagement across exhibitions, public programs, publications, and pedagogy rather than isolating it as a standalone activity. • Articulate the public value and impact of engagement initiatives to funders, partners, and stakeholders, supporting ICA's funding, visibility, and longevity.

Academic & University Engagement • Strengthen ICA's role as a research and pedagogical resource for the University of Pennsylvania, as well as other local, national, and global learners. • Coordinate student-facing initiatives, including undergraduate and graduate collaborations, class visits, and guest lectureships. • Develop strategies to engage members of Penn's schools, centers, and research communities while expanding access for broader public audiences.

Team & Operational Leadership • Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams across public engagement, education, research, publications, archives, and visitor experience. • Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and intellectually rigorous working environment. • Oversee program planning, budgets, workflows, and assessment to ensure operational excellence and sustainability.

Qualifications • Bachelor's and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. • 10+ years of relevant professional experience, including senior-level leadership in public engagement, education, research, or curatorial practice within contemporary art or cultural institutions is strongly preferred. • Demonstrated experience leading research-based programs, publications, or public scholarship. • Strong record of cross-departmental and cross-institutional collaboration and team leadership. • Deep knowledge of contemporary art, critical pedagogy, and public humanities. • Demonstrated commitment to socially responsive institutional practice.

Preferred Competencies • Strategic and organizational leadership • Community partnership development • Experimental pedagogy and collaborative practice • Integration of archival materials and familiarity with a range of publication and distribution platforms • Commitment to ethical and accessible institutional design • Clear, compelling communication with diverse stakeholders

Salary Range

$93,500.00 - $120,000.00 Annual Rate Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/7003247

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