Director of SMoCA

Who we are:

Scottsdale Arts was established in 1987 as a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) and has evolved into an organization with six dynamic operating departments that span the visual and performing arts, arts education and cultural engagement. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SM o CA) as part of Scottsdale Arts offers diverse, high-quality visual arts experiences to hundreds of thousands of Scottsdale residents and visitors annually.

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SM o CA) is an accredited and internationally recognized institution that encourages reflections and conversations about life through art. We produce and mediate creative expressions that lead to shared curiosity and meaning across a wide range of publics. We value creativity, collaboration, experimentation, and exchange. We strive to adapt to shifting environments by leading with empathy while fostering trust and mutual transformation.

What we offer:

• Great company culture. We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible schedules and hybrid work opportunities to help you achieve that. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. We believe in recognizing and celebrating the hard work and achievements of our team where your contributions are acknowledged and appreciated through our employee recognition program
• Making an Impact. Your work here will have a real impact. Everything you do, each day makes a difference in our community.
  Location. Located in the heart of downtown Scottsdale, access to Scottsdale Civic Center, old town galleries, local restaurants, live venues, and more.
• Rest and relaxation. Our PTO program allows you to accrue more hours the longer you stay with us which means your time off grows as you grow with the company, rewarding your dedication and service. Enjoy 9 paid holidays plus 5 floating holidays each year, giving you the opportunity to relax and celebrate important occasions with family and friends.
• Benefits. Medical and dental - We believe in taking care of our team. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, well-being and overall quality of life. We cover 90% of the employee premiums and 70% of the dependent premiums for Medical and Dental plans. In addition, we offer extensive coverage options for Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, FSA Account, 401K with employer match, Pet Healthcare, and Gym Membership. You can gain access to a wide range of arts and culture organizations through our reciprocal membership with NARM and Local arts and culture organizations plus one membership to share. Enjoy exclusive discounts on tickets to events and performances.
• Opportunities for Growth. A mindset of internal growth and advancement.

Summary:

The Director of the Scottsdale Museum for Contemporary Art (SM o CA) provides visionary and strategic leadership for the museum in alignment with the mission and strategic plan of Scottsdale Arts. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Director is responsible for the overall artistic, operational, financial, and community success of the museum. This role leads and empowers a team of curatorial, exhibitions, collections, visitor engagement, and administrative professionals, entrusting subject matter experts to lead within their discipline while ensuring cohesive strategy, fiscal responsibility, and institutional excellence across all functions. The Director serves as the museum's chief spokesperson and ambassador, cultivating strong relationships internally, within the community, and across regional, national, and international art networks. The Director provides long-range strategic direction, oversees accreditation standards and best practices, and works closely with the Museum Advisory Council to advance the museum's vision, sustainability, and reputation.

Important Details to Know:

• Compensation: $100,000 - $107,000 DOE
• Shift/Hours: 40 hours per week, some evenings and weekends. Travel may be required.
• Job Type: Exempt
• Location: Scottsdale, AZ
• Anticipated Start Date: May 2026

If you need assistance or accommodations during the recruitment process, please reach out to us at Recruiting@scottsdalearts.org

Here is what you will get to do:

Strategic & Executive Leadership:

• Provide clear strategic direction for SM o CA in alignment with the President & CEO and the Scottsdale Arts Strategic Plan.
• Develop and implement a long-range vision and multi-year strategic roadmap for exhibitions, collections growth and conservation, audience engagement, and institutional advancement.
• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team on organization-wide strategy, cross-divisional collaboration, and institutional priorities.
• Establish measurable goals and key performance indicators and communicate progress to the CEO, the Senior Management Team, the Board of Trustees, the Advisory Council, and other stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusiveness, innovation, and performance across the museum.

Museum Operations & Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of exhibitions, collections, education, public programs, retail operations, and museum administration.
• Ensure that exhibition planning, collections stewardship, and public programming align with the museum's strategic vision and contemporary relevance.
• Oversee and ensure compliance with AAM accreditation standards and museum best practices, including leading reaccreditation processes and ongoing institutional assessment.
• Guide institutional planning to ensure excellence in collections management, conservation standards, risk management, and ethical practices.
• Ensure that museum operations meet the highest standards of accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion in both practice and programmatic expression.
• Empower team to operate effectively within their areas of expertise while maintaining cohesive direction and fiscal discipline.

Financial & Resource Stewardship

• Develop and manage the annual operating budget and capital budgets for SM o CA in partnership with the Assistant Director and with finance leadership.
• Ensure fiscal accountability and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with Development staff to identify funding priorities, cultivate donor relationships, support grant proposals, and participate in donor solicitations.
• Provide strategic oversight of fundraising initiatives specific to exhibitions, acquisitions, programs, and special projects.
• Support earned revenue strategies and audience development initiatives in collaboration with Marketing, Programming, and Visitor Engagement teams.

Community Engagement & External Relations

• Serve as the Primary spokesperson and public representative of SM o CA by building meaningful partnerships that expand access, deepen community engagement, and position the museum as a vital cultural resource.
• Actively cultivate and maintain relationships with artists, collectors, galleries, scholars, cultural leaders, peer institutions, and community stakeholders.
• Elevate SM o CA's visibility and influence locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• Represent the museum at public events, openings, lectures, civic gatherings, and professional conferences.

Governance & Advisory Leadership

• Lead and collaborate with the SM o CA Advisory Council to refine and advance institutional priorities.
• Oversee the Acquisition Committee in partnership with Registrar and Collections Manager, guiding collections growth consistent with mission, strategy, and fiduciary responsibility.
• Provide regular reports and strategic updates to the Board of Trustees and other governance bodies.

Here is what you will need to be successful:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education: Master's Degree in Art History, Arts Administration, Museum Studies or related field. Doctorate preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in a contemporary art museum or comparable cultural institution.
• Demonstrated senior-level leadership with responsibility for strategic planning, staff oversight, and budget management.
• Experience working within accredited institutions and knowledge of AAM standards.
• Proven experience supporting fundraising, donor cultivation, grant writing, and acquisition strategy.
• Experience working effectively with advisory boards or governance bodies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams while fostering autonomy and accountability.

Attributes

• Visionary strategic thinker with the ability to translate ideas into actionable plans.
• Collaborative leadership style that empowers experts while maintaining organizational cohesion.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills across diverse constituencies.
• Financial acumen with experience managing complex institutional budgets.
• Strong public speaking and written communication skills.
• High emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and sound judgement.
• Deep knowledge of contemporary art and museum practice.
• Demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and ability to lead through change.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusive leadership.

Work Environment

• Primarily office and museum environment; requires standing, walking, and event participation.
• Must be available for evenings and weekends as required for events and programs.
• Must hold and maintain a valid Arizona driver's license with acceptable driving records and appropriate proof of insurance.

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