C.M. RUSSELL MUSEUM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Great FallS, MT

Application Deadline: CLOSED

Museum Search & Reference is leading the search for the next Executive Director of the C.M. Russell Museum (the Russell Museum), a beloved regional museum inspired by the enduring legacy of the multi-faceted artist Charles (Charlie) Marion Russell, who masterfully chronicled the peoples, wildlife, and landscapes of the American West during the decades bracketing the turn of the twentieth century.

This is a remarkable and unique opportunity for an inspirational leader with a visionary mindset and a love for the American West to lead, support and guide a fiercely dedicated and influential national 23-person Board of Directors and a talented and committed 30-person staff to realize the Russell Museum’s well-articulated strategic goals and to advance a vision for how the Museum can continue to engage and inspire a new generation of patrons and audiences.

C.M. RUSSELL MUSEUM AND CAMPUS

The mission of the C.M. Russell Museum is to share the life, art, and times of Charles M. Russell as we learn from the past, honor the present, and inspire the future cultures of Russell’s West. The Museum embraces core Western values of conservation, inclusion, adventure, authenticity, courage, determination, friendship, and humor that Charlie demonstrated and espoused through his art and life. Founded 70 years ago and recognized as one of the first Western art museums in the world, the Russell Museum is comprised of 65,000 square feet of exhibition and programming space, a dedicated research center, and an outdoor sculpture garden and campus encompassing an entire city block, including Charlie’s fully restored home and the iconic log cabin studio where he lived and worked—both designated National Historic Landmarks. Capturing grand landscapes and majestic wildlife scenes that evoke timeless Western narratives, the Museum’s collection of over 1,000 major works by Charlie Russell include oil paintings, watercolors, sculpture, and writing, as well as a significant collection of an additional 2,000 works of Western art by Russell’s contemporaries and ongoing acquisitions of contemporary work by regional artists.

The Russell Museum is poised to ascend to greater visibility and presence following the successful realization of a $40-million strategic growth campaign, and on the heels of a wildly successful and internationally recognized, long-standing art auction that generates significant revenue each year to support the Museum and its future planning. With an annual budget of nearly $3 million, the Russell Museum is governed by a national Board of Directors of 23, a staff of 30, a membership of 1,500, nearly 250 active volunteers, and a visitorship of over 35,000 annually.

Located in the picturesque, community-and-family-centric North Central city of Great Falls, the Russell Museum plays a central role in the city’s cultural life and is an inextricable part of its regional identity. Visit https://www.cmrussell.org/ to learn more.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This opportunity will appeal to an adventurous and inspirational cultural leader who is drawn to a dynamic, place-based museum that figures large in the hearts and minds of this expansive region. Surrounded by stunning national resources that mirror the West that Charlie lived, loved, and painted, the Russell Museum’s new leader will embrace the spirit embodied in Charlie’s work and harness the great potential for bringing this institution into a new chapter in history, one that demonstrates its commitment to progressiveness, inclusion, and cultural relevancy. They will be experienced in leveraging the strengths of a national Board of Directors, adept at leading successful fund development initiatives, cultivating strong community relationships, and motivating and mentoring a talented and committed team of staff members.

The new Executive Director will lead with a big generative vision taking their cues from an established 5-year strategic plan and will not be afraid to take risks and dream big, supported by the Museum’s ample resources and great donor potential. Rooted in the power of storytelling, they will lead the organization toward realizing plans to captivate and excite new and next-generation audiences with innovative engagement strategies and forge partnerships with other regional and national cultural, civic, and educational institutions.

Strategic board-approved priorities and opportunities include the following:

Engaging with Tribal representatives in the region to create a fellowship program based on the study of Indigenous art and storytelling.
Developing a collections management plan to expand the Museum’s holdings of other Western and Indigenous artists.
Founding a regional outreach program focused on living artists and the study of Western art and history in tandem with the establishment of an artist-in-residence program in Glacier National Park.
Working with a well-connected and resourced national Board to advance best practices in Board Governance to ensure optimal relationship and consensus building that firmly establishes a collective and respectful, values-based approach toward communications across the institution.
Conceptualizing exhibitions and programming that are culturally, generationally, and geographically inclusive, furthering the contemporary relevancy of the Museum’s collections and programs, in partnership with other museums throughout the country, Montana Universities and other cultural organizations and national parks.

Of the 30 staff members, the Executive Director currently supervises five senior staff, with other positions slated for addition over the course of the year, including that of Senior Curator. The current supervisory relationship extends to the Chief Development Officer, Director of Art and Philanthropy, Chief Collections and Exhibitions Officer, Operations and HR Director, and Finance Officer.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Establish and lead effective governing practices that engage, inspire, guide, and leverage the Museum’s national Board of Directors.
Demonstrate a visionary, progressive mindset and advance aspirational goals that dovetail with the Museum’s 5-year strategic plan using established strategic-planning expertise and acumen to build alignment, understanding, and consensus across the organization.
Utilize a strong philanthropic approach and intrepid fundraising skills to enthusiastically sustain and develop relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
Draw from a solid financial background and experience, preferably managing multipart operational budgets, to ensure responsible financial stewardship, overseeing an annual operating budget of $3M and an endowment of $13M.
Exhibit an aptitude for effective and persuasive communications, both external and internal, and a keen interest in audience development.
Build and strengthen active and productive partnerships with key stakeholders, community partners, and other cultural and civic institutions and entities.
Bring innovative ideas and approaches that appeal to new audiences and support a high level of visitor engagement.
Embody a generous and inclusive coaching and mentorship mindset and experience in effective delegation, supporting professional development and positive internal staff-advancement practices.
Contribute a well-developed awareness of best practices in the museum field and a commitment to promote and uphold professional standards.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND ATTRIBUTES

B.A. in Museum Studies, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Art History, History, or related field and at least five years in a leadership role at an art or history museum and/or a relevant combination of nonprofit management experience and credentials. An advanced degree is preferred, along with a knowledge of American Art and Western Art, and a significant network of connections in the region and/or to Montana. Those with an alternate background from the private sector are also encouraged to apply.
Working experience partnering with, building, and guiding a national Board of Directors.
Experience developing strategic plans and participation in the oversight of exhibitions and collections.
Successful supervisory experience along with organizational, communication, and team-building skills. Comfortable with delegation, evaluation, mentorship, and an avid proponent of professional development.
Possess strong moral character and an entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrating integrity and intellectual curiosity.
Organizational and planning skills; ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and communicate effectively to a wide variety of stakeholders.
Familiarity with facilities management and/or experience with building expansion and renovation a plus.
Willingness to travel across the state of Montana, as well as occasionally to other communities across the nation to advocate for and represent the Museum, cultivate relationships with donors, and meet with supporters, collectors, community members, and other stakeholders.
A degree of personal understanding, history, and connection to Montana preferred, and a palpable appreciation for the legacy of Western Art reflected in the life and creative output of Charlie Russell.

Research shows that women and individuals from under-represented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

COMPENSATION

$148,000–$165,000 per annum (commensurate with education and experience).
The position is based in Great Falls, Montana.
The Russell Museum offers a flexible working policy that is amenable to family and quality-of-life considerations, and prides itself on an open workplace tenet that accommodates the individual and collective needs of its staff.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply in confidence, submit the following materials via email to Suzanne Tan, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference at SearchandRef@museum-search.com.

A letter expressing interest in this position and giving brief examples of past related experience
A résumé or C.V.
The names of three references with contact information

Submit application by March 22, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. References will not be contacted without prior authorization. Nominations are welcome.

ABOUT GREAT FALLS, MONTANA

Halfway between the spectacular national parks of Glacier and Yellowstone, Great Falls is the third most populous city in the state of Montana, with a population of just over 60,000 residents. A cultural, commercial and financial center in the central part of the state, Great Falls is located just east of the Rocky Mountains and is bisected by the Missouri River.

The city is named for a series of five waterfalls on the Missouri River north and east of the city. As the home of the Russell Museum, Great Falls is known as the “Western Art Capital of the World.,” Among Montana cities, Great Falls boasts the greatest number of museums, home of 10 institutions besides the Russell Museum that include the impressive Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art. The city is also home to two military installations: Malmstrom Air Force Base east of the city, which is the community's largest employer; and the Montana Air National Guard to the west, adjacent to Great Falls International Airport.

For more information about Great Falls, visit: https://liveingreatfalls.com/