Job Abstract

Housed within Yale University (Yale or University), the Yale Center for British Art (YCBA) seeks a visionary, collaborative, and passionate leader to serve as the next Paul Mellon Director. Founded by Paul Mellon (Yale College, Class of 1929), the Yale Center for British Art is home to the largest collection devoted to British art outside the United Kingdom. Its collections include more than 2,000 paintings, 250 sculptures, 20,000 drawings and watercolors, 40,000 prints, and 35,000 rare books and manuscripts dating from the fifteenth century to the present. More than 40,000 volumes supporting research in British art and related fields are available in the Reference Library. As an academic museum and research center, the YCBA encourages both scholarly and popular engagement with the collection and seeks to provide exceptional teaching and learning experiences along with maintaining an active public programming and publication schedule. Located in the final building designed by Louis I. Kahn and opened in 1977, the building is a focal point for modernist architecture. The YCBA is free and open to all. To learn more about the YCBA, please visit https://britishart.yale.edu/. The next Paul Mellon Director will have a unique opportunity to strategically lead the YCBA as it approaches its fiftieth anniversary in 2027. Currently, the YCBA is closed for conservation, focusing on exterior improvements, including the replacement of the museum’s roof and skylights, as well as significant upgrades to the gallery lighting system. Slated to open in spring 2025, the Paul Mellon Director will play a significant role in a reconceived installation of its collection. An inspirational leader and seasoned manager, the Paul Mellon Director is responsible for the artistic vision and fiscal management of the institution and will inspire, support, and develop the staff. The next Paul Mellon Director will champion the Center’s dual identities as both a museum and a center for research and teaching and continue to promote understanding and appreciation of British Art worldwide. Recognizing that the YCBA is nested within a university, they will partner and connect with all constituents, including faculty, staff, and students, across the Yale ecosystem. Located in New Haven, CT, the YCBA has a deep commitment to its surrounding community as a core audience and fulfills this commitment through a range of partnerships. While the YCBA is in downtown New Haven, its sister organization, the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, is based in London, and the next Paul Mellon Director thus will understand the importance of engaging locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. To engage with faculty, visiting researchers, and leaders from comparable global institutions, the Director should have significant academic and scholarly achievements, including publications, in the field of British art and material culture, or a closely related field such as the arts of the United States, the former British colonies, or the current British Commonwealth. In short, the successful candidate should demonstrate knowledge of British art’s relation to its global context. They should have recognized distinction in the field of art history, significant standing with peer institutions, and the stature to represent the Center to appropriate stakeholders.

Yale University has retained Isaacson, Miller, an executive search firm, to assist with this recruitment. Inquiries, nominations, and applications, in the form of a CV and cover letter, should be sent in strict confidence to the firm as indicated below: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/yale-university-center-british-art/paul-mellon-director

Additional information may be found on the Isaacson Miller page here: https://www.searchlink.cloud/public/website/searches/9899/file/986615 A desire and ability to embrace the New Haven and global community, build partnerships, identify opportunities, and expand the Museum’s reach within the region and globe. An advanced degree in an art-related field is required; a PhD is expected. 1. Directs one or more functional areas within an administrative department of the University and ensure compliance with University policies and procedures. 2. Directs analytic and research support for educational policies and planning and develops and approves administrative policies affecting assigned functional areas of the University. 3. Directs and establishes parameters for major projects for the department and University. 4. Interprets federal policies and regulations and educates staff and administration about regulations, restrictions, and the legal responsibilities of the University. 5. Directs and implements policy and program modifications and develops standards to ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations. 6. Develops and administers an operating budget for the assigned department consistent with University policies and procedures. 7. Develops cost savings objectives and goals; authorizes major purchases and negotiates contracts that range from routine to complex in nature. 8. Establishes and implements long- and short-range goals for the functional area consistent with University goals and objectives. 9. Directs the development of related automated systems to support the function; determines office policies and procedures for use of automated systems. 10. Directs the evaluation and selection of vendors and negotiates contract details including work steps and pricing with the vendors on behalf of the assigned functional area. 11. Works with internal and external contacts to solve problems that range from routine to complex in nature. 12. Represents the University in discussions and negotiations with various governmental agencies. 13. Directs a staff of exempt and nonexempt employees. 14. May perform other duties as assigned. Bachelor’s Degree in related field. Ten years of demonstrated experience or an equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience.