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Posted November 9, 2026
Executive Director
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington
Seattle, Washington
Salary Range: $275,000 – $325,000
About the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture (the Burke) is one of the oldest and most distinguished natural history and cultural institutions in the Pacific Northwest. Located on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle, the Burke holds a singular place in the region’s intellectual and civic life, serving simultaneously as a world-class research repository, a public museum, and a living expression of the Pacific Northwest’s extraordinary natural and human heritage. Its collections span archeology, biology, paleontology, and the arts and cultures of Indigenous peoples across the Northwest and the Pacific region, North and South America, Central Asia, and Africa. The Burke’s expansive and distinguished collections make it one of the most diverse and scientifically significant collections-based institutions in the western United States. The Burke cares for and share natural and cultural collections so that all people can learn, be inspired, generate knowledge, feel joy, and heal. That mission is notable for what it includes: joy and healing alongside knowledge and learning. It signals an institution that understands its collections not merely as scientific assets but as sources of meaning, identity, and connection for the communities it serves. This mission animates everything from curatorial decisions to public programming to the museum’s deepening relationships with Indigenous communities across the region.
The Burke Museum is administered by the University of Washington, operating under the governance of the College of Arts and Sciences. This relationship with one of the nation’s leading public research universities gives the Burke access to extraordinary scholarly resources, faculty partnerships, and a global network of researchers and collections professionals. At the same time, the museum maintains its own distinct identity and public presence, functioning as both an academic institution and a community anchor in Seattle and the broader Pacific Northwest. The museum operates with an annual budget of approximately $15 million. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of sources: general operating funds from the College of Arts and Sciences and University of Washington, earned revenue streams including admissions, memberships, the Burke Store, programs, collections-based services, and facility rentals. The remainder is drawn from endowment proceeds and contributed revenue, reflecting the museum’s ongoing commitment to philanthropic engagement and long-term financial sustainability. The Burke’s relationship with Indigenous communities is central to the institution’s identity and operations. A https://www.burkemuseum.org/native-american-advisory-board provides essential guidance on policy, programming, and advocacy, reflecting the museum’s commitment to decolonization and cultural equity. The Burke holds significant collections of Indigenous cultural materials and its approach to stewardship, access, and interpretation of those collections is shaped by ongoing dialogue with the communities from which they originate. This work positions the Burke as a national model for how natural history and cultural institutions can engage authentically and respectfully with Indigenous peoples. The museum’s values are deeply rooted in diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility. The Burke shares the University of Washington’s core commitment to building a welcoming environment for staff, researchers, visitors, and community partners alike.
The Opportunity
The Executive Director of the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is a senior leadership role. The Executive Director of the Burke Museum holds full accountability for advancing the Burke’s mission, “to care for and share natural and cultural collections so all people can learn, be inspired, generate knowledge, feel joy, and heal,” while stewarding a $15 million operating budget and directly overseeing eight staff positions and twelve faculty curators who work alongside a team of dedicated museum professionals. Burke stewards more than 18 million natural history and cultural specimens and supports active research across its collections, making the Executive Director responsible not only for their care and accessibility, but also for advancing the knowledge, scholarship, student training, and discovery that they enable. The role demands an executive who can simultaneously manage complex day-to-day operations, advocate for the relevance and importance of collections and scientific research, cultivate a diverse and growing revenue base, and serve as the Burke’s most visible ambassador across Seattle, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. The Executive Director works in close partnership with the Burke Museum Association on philanthropic support and with the Burke’s Native American Advisory Board on policy, programming, and advocacy; these relationships are central to the museum’s commitment to decolonization and cultural equity.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate for Executive Director of the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is a visionary, mission-driven leader who brings deep personal and professional commitment to the intersection of natural history, cultural collections, and public engagement. This individual combines seasoned executive leadership with genuine enthusiasm for collections-based science and research, Indigenous cultural equity, and the transformative power of museums as community anchors. They bring firsthand understanding of research and collections and the credibility to advocate for the people, resources, and partnerships that enable this work to thrive. They are a confident, proactive communicator equally at home presenting to state legislators, engaging major donors, collaborating with Native American advisory leaders, or inspiring a diverse team of museum professionals.
The next Executive Director will bring a strong record of financial stewardship and managing complex, multi-revenue budget, alongside demonstrated success in diversifying earned and contributed revenue streams. They understand the unique dynamics of operating within a major research university and can navigate the administrative, political, and academic relationships that come with reporting to a College of Arts & Sciences Dean while maintaining the museum’s independent identity and community presence. They will use their professional understanding of research and collections to advocate effectively for the resources, partnerships, infrastructure, and visibility needed to sustain active scholarship, steward the Burke’s collections, and amplify the knowledge generated through them. Above all, this leader possesses a thorough understanding of the principles of decolonization and cultural equity and knows how to build authentic, sustained relationships with Indigenous communities and communities of color who are essential partners in how the Burke operates, tells stories, and shares its collections with the world.
Strong candidates will have the following required attributes:
- Candidates will bring at least five years of senior leadership experience in educational, scientific, or cultural institutions, including a strong record in budget management and demonstrated success with fundraising. In addition, they will have experience in many of the following areas of museum operations: staff development, curatorial, exhibitions design, collections management, facilities oversight, teaching, academic research and publication, and demonstrated cultural competence in working with Indigenous communities and communities of color.
A terminal degree in a field relevant to the Burke collections is strongly preferred, as is a strong scholarly track record of research, publication, and/or production. Having these qualifications entitles the Executive Director to qualify for a faculty appointment at the University of Washington. Exceptional candidates with a professional track record of 9 or more years of senior leadership in renowned cultural institutions and a bachelor’s or master’s degree may be considered without faculty appointment. - Candidates will have demonstrable experience working with the public: they will have a strong commitment to community outreach, public engagement and supporting the visitor experience.
Preferred Capacities and Preparation:
Natural History and Culture Museum Experience
- The Director will have demonstrated ability to guide a collections-based institution at the intersection of science, scholarship, public education, and community engagement. They will have experience leading multidisciplinary teams across most, if not all of the following areas: curatorial research, collections stewardship, exhibitions, education, operations, advancement, and visitor experience. They will know how to ensure that scientific and cultural collections are cared for responsibly and made accessible to researchers, students, and the public.
Visionary Leadership and Organizational Culture
- The next Executive Director will lead with clarity of purpose and an open, team-oriented management style. They will promote a working climate where staff feel seen, supported, and accountable — fostering professional development at every level while maintaining the cohesion needed to execute a complex institutional agenda. They will set direction and use performance metrics and strategic analysis to keep the organization learning and adapting. They will work with their Board and advisory council members as genuine partners: communicating proactively and ensuring alignment between the work of the Board and councils and institutional strategy and values.
- Above all, the next Executive Direction will be a passionate, collaborative, and data-informed leader who can establish the Burke as a global model for research and exhibition for natural and cultural history institutions worldwide.
Centering Cultural Equity and Building Community Relationships
- These are essential job skills. The ideal candidate will understand indigenous cultural perspectives, center Indigenous voices, knowledge systems, and community relationships in the work of the institution itself — in collections stewardship, storytelling, hiring, governance, and programming. They will understand the history and ongoing dynamics of cultural extraction in natural history museums and approach relationships with tribal and Indigenous communities with humility, rigor, and a long-term orientation. Authentic, trust-based relationships with Indigenous leaders and communities of color are a hallmark of how they lead, and they have a track record of embedding equitable, community development, and inclusive practices as a lens applied across the full scope of institutional operations.
Public Presence and Ambassadorship
- The Executive Director is the Burke’s most visible advocate: on stage, in the legislature, in a donor’s living room, and in the community. The ideal candidate is a compelling, confident communicator who translates the museum’s mission across widely different audiences without losing substance or authenticity. They can speak with authority and enthusiasm about collections-based research, natural history science, and cultural scholarship, making complex subject matter feel urgent and accessible whether addressing a faculty symposium, a state appropriations committee, or a first-generation museum visitor.
Institutional and University Navigation
- Operating within the University of Washington requires a specific kind of political and relational intelligence. The ideal candidate will maintain the Burke’s independent identity and community presence while working productively within university governance — building credibility with deans, faculty, and administrators. They are skilled at managing up, across, and outward in complex, multi-stakeholder environments where authority is distributed, relationships are long, and competing priorities must be balanced with diplomacy and persistence.
Relationship Building, Fundraising, and Strategic Growth
- The next Executive Director will be able to build relationships that last. They will bring exceptional interpersonal and listening skills — the kind that make donors, board members, civic leaders, and community partners feel genuinely engaged. They will be comfortable with major gift solicitation and understand the long arc of donor cultivation, from first conversation to transformational commitment and stewardship. Beyond fundraising, they will think expansively about the Burke’s reach and reputation, bringing a track record of growing an organization’s visibility and relevance through strategic positioning, partnership development, and audience-building at local, regional, and national levels.
Financial Stewardship and Revenue Diversification
- The ideal candidate has direct experience managing multi-million-dollar operating budgets — including planning, forecasting, and real-time decision-making — and understands how to align financial strategy with mission priorities. Equally important is their ability to diversify revenue: growing earned income through admissions, memberships, and facilities use while cultivating major gifts, foundation grants, endowment support, and corporate partnerships. Strong leadership in this context also requires financial and operational discipline, a demonstrated skill for building partnerships with universities, Indigenous communities, civic leaders, donors, and peer institutions, and an ability to advance equity, decolonization, and inclusive public engagement as core institutional priorities.
Compensation and Benefits
The University of Washington offers a highly competitive salary as part of a total compensation package. For more information, explore the UW Benefits https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/. Relocation will be provided for the successful candidate.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Naree W.S. Viner and Susan Kart, PhD. Nominations and Inquiries may be submitted at our “susan.kart@dsgco.com” portal. All inquiries are strictly confidential. DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NPSIpractice@dsgco.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. The Burke Museum is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
Submit a compelling letter of interest and CV/resume here, https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/23248.
Posted November 4, 2026
President & CEO
Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia
Salary Range: $250,000 – $300,000
The Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia is a 240,000-square-foot center in the heart of Charleston where the performing arts, visual arts, sciences, and education come together under one roof. Since opening in 2003, the Clay Center has welcomed millions of visitors and established itself as a destination for discovery, creativity, entertainment, and lifelong learning. Its mission is to inspire creativity, learning, and wonder through experiences in the arts and sciences for all people of West Virginia and the region. Today, the Clay Center offers a wide range of cultural, artistic, scientific, and educational experiences. The 1,800-seat Maier Foundation Performance Hall and Walker Theater host live entertainment and performances; the Avampato Discovery Museum offers three floors of interactive science and STEAM experiences; the Juliet Art Museum presents exhibitions featuring local, national, and international artists; and the 175-seat Caperton Planetarium & Theater offers immersive films, astronomy experiences, and educational programming.
The Clay Center seeks a President & CEO to provide visionary, strategic, and operational leadership as the organization enters its next chapter. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with senior leadership, the President & CEO will establish a compelling vision for the future, strengthen philanthropy and long-term sustainability, expand the Center’s reach and community impact, and ensure its resources remain aligned with its mission and long-term ambitions.
The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and visionary executive who combines demonstrated fundraising success and relationship-building skills with strategic vision, executive leadership experience, and a passion for advancing the Clay Center’s role as a premier cultural and educational institution. The successful candidate will bring senior leadership experience within a museum, performing arts organization, science center, educational institution, cultural organization, or similar mission-driven enterprise, along with strong financial acumen and the ability to lead complex organizations and high-performing teams. This leader will be an energetic and highly visible ambassador who can build trusted relationships with donors, board members, community leaders, and strategic partners while articulating a compelling vision for the Clay Center’s future. The Clay Center offers a competitive benefits package. Applications and nominations are being received exclusively by Kittleman & Associates, LLC. To apply, please submit a letter of introduction and current resume through the online application portal. For best consideration, please submit your materials by December 18.
Posted October 27, 2026
Executive Director
Sciencenter
Ithaca, New York
Salary Range: $165,000 – $200,000
The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of the Sciencenter and its most visible representative to the board, staff, donors, government agencies, academic partners, and the general public. Reporting to the Board of Trustees through its Executive Committee, the Executive Director is accountable for the Sciencenter’s programmatic vision, its financial health and sustainability, and its continued standing as one of the most respected and beloved institutions in the region — while ensuring the organization remains accessible, relevant, and responsive to a growing and increasingly diverse community. The successful candidate will bring the emotional intelligence, maturity, and secure sense of self to build on a well-loved founding legacy while confidently charting the Sciencenter’s next chapter.
View the complete description.
Posted October 27, 2026
Vice President of Horticulture
Missouri Botanical Garden
St. Louis, Missouri
Salary Range: $165,000 – $185,000
The Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the world’s premier botanical institutions, seeks an exceptional horticultural leader to serve as its next Vice President of Horticulture. For more than 165 years, the Garden has advanced horticulture, science, conservation, education, and public engagement while connecting people to plants and the natural world. This is a rare opportunity to build upon an extraordinary horticultural legacy and shape the future of the Garden’s landscapes, collections, displays, and visitor experiences at a pivotal moment in the institution’s evolution.
Reporting to the President and Director, the Vice President of Horticulture will provide strategic leadership for the development, maintenance, and enhancement of the Garden’s landscapes, gardens, conservatories, and displays. The Vice President will establish a compelling horticultural vision aligned with the Garden’s mission and emerging strategic framework while advancing design innovation, sustainable practices, operational excellence, and an exceptional visitor experience. Working collaboratively across the institution, the Vice President will strengthen connections among horticulture, conservation, research, education, sustainability, and public engagement. The Vice President will oversee a team of 57 staff, four direct reports, and a divisional operating budget of $5.8 million.
The Garden seeks a collaborative and inspiring leader who combines horticultural credibility with the enterprise leadership capacity to guide a large and complex division. The successful candidate will bring at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public garden management, horticultural design, or botanical leadership, including at least five years in a senior executive or director-level role. Demonstrated success leading large teams and complex operations is essential, along with experience in strategic planning, organizational change, project management, landscape design, living collections, conservation horticulture, and visitor-centered public gardens. The ideal candidate will balance long-term vision with day-to-day operational realities, communicate clearly, build trust across teams, and represent the Garden effectively among donors, volunteers, community leaders, professional partners, and media representatives.
A Ph.D. in horticulture, botany, landscape architecture, or a related discipline is preferred. Exceptional candidates with a compelling combination of education, professional experience, and demonstrated success in public horticulture will receive full consideration. ISA Certified Arborist certification is a plus. The ability to communicate effectively in English and preferably in one or more additional languages, particularly languages frequently spoken in Latin America, is highly desirable. The Missouri Botanical Garden offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. The salary range for this position is $165,000–$185,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid time off; medical, vision, and dental insurance; and a 403(b)-retirement plan. Kittleman & Associates is leading the search for the Vice President of Horticulture. . The cover letter provides an opportunity to demonstrate a passion for the Missouri Botanical Garden and its mission, as well as relevant horticultural and organizational leadership experience. For best consideration, applicants should submit their materials by December 4.
View the complete description.
Posted October 22, 2026
Vice President of the Museum
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Huntsville, Alabama
Salary Range: $120,000 – $130,000
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center seeks a strategic, creative, and collaborative leader to serve as its Vice President of Museum. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President will provide leadership for the Center’s museum, collections, archives, exhibits, planetarium, and visitor experience functions while advancing a bold vision for one of the nation’s most recognized institutions dedicated to space exploration and STEM learning. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a museum that stewards world-renowned artifacts, inspires millions of visitors and learners, and occupies a unique position at the intersection of science, education, innovation, and discovery. The Vice President joins USSRC at a pivotal moment as the Center advances a campus-wide master planning effort focused on enhancing the museum experience through improved arrival and entrance experiences, stronger wayfinding, more immersive exhibits, and greater connectivity across campus. The successful candidate will bring a demonstrated record of transforming visitor-focused environments, balancing immediate opportunities with a long-term vision that drives engagement, repeat visitation, and institutional impact.
USSRC is a world-class visitor destination and STEM education hub that welcomes more than 650,000 guests annually. As the official Visitor Center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and an agency of the State of Alabama, the Center houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of rockets and space artifacts, including the Saturn V Moon rocket and Pathfinder space shuttle stack. Through immersive exhibits, simulators, the top-ranked INTUITIVE Planetarium, and the internationally recognized Space Camp®️ program, USSRC inspires visitors of all ages to explore, learn, and innovate while reinforcing Huntsville’s identity as “Rocket City.” A proud Smithsonian Affiliate, the Center not only houses the Smithsonian’s largest artifact but also curates the world’s largest assemblage of space hardware. Recent investments, supported by a successful $65 million capital campaign, include the new Space Camp Operations Center and the restoration of Rocket Park. These initiatives reflect an institution that is building on a remarkable legacy while investing in its future.
Success in this role requires a collaborative, data-informed executive with strong museum leadership experience, financial acumen, and the ability to translate institutional vision into exceptional visitor experiences. The Vice President will be responsible for aligning talented teams around a shared strategy, elevating the guest experience, and helping guide the next chapter of one of the nation’s most distinctive museums and educational destinations. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website.
View the complete description.