Job Description

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 [email protected], 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.