Description

Southern Utah University (SUU) and the College of Performing & Visual Arts (CPVA) invite applications for the position of Executive Director of the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA). Reporting to the Dean of the College of Performing & Visual Arts, The Executive Director provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for SUMA—an award-winning museum that serves as a cultural anchor for SUU, Cedar City, and the broader region.

This role requires a dynamic, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader who can balance artistic vision with organizational sustainability. The Executive Director shapes SUMA’s future by cultivating meaningful partnerships, advancing community engagement, and ensuring the museum’s programs, collections, and operations reflect excellence, relevance, and innovation.Date of First consideration: 03/03/2026. 

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Governance:

• Develop, implement, and maintain SUMA’s long-term vision, mission, and strategic plan.
• Collaborate with SUU administration, the SUMA Advisory Board, museum staff, and community partners on strategic initiatives and future planning.
• Ensure policies, procedures, and best practices support the museum’s core values and operational effectiveness.
• Manage high-level decisions related to collections management, audience development, exhibitions, and departmental budgets.

Operational Management:

• Oversee all daily operations of SUMA, ensuring smooth, safe, and effective execution of exhibitions, programs, events, and visitor services.
• Lead the SUMA Advisory Board.
• Serve on the CPVA Leadership team, attending bimonthly meetings.
• Manage the museum’s finances, resources, and annual budget, with support from administrative staff.
• Conduct regular team meetings and one-on-one meetings with direct reports; support professional development and team-building activities.
• Attract, mentor, retain, inspire, and empower exceptional staff, fostering a positive, collaborative, and accountable organizational culture.
• Provide leadership in establishing clear expectations and fostering a culture of peer-to-peer accountability.
• Attend SUMA and CPVA events, including exhibitions, openings, the Annual Art Auction, the annual Día de Muertos Festival, and other key public programs.
• Maintain SUU Motor Pool certification for the SUMA van.

Finance, Development, and Fundraising:

• Lead comprehensive fundraising initiatives, including donor cultivation, stewardship, major gifts, sponsorships, and grant acquisition.
• Collaborate closely with SUU Advancement and the Sponsored Programs, Agreements, Research & Contracts (SPARC) Office on fundraising, grants, and acquisitions.
• Identify new grant opportunities and provide oversight for proposal development and required presentations.
• Serve as spokesperson in donor engagement and development activities.
• Associated Boards & Committees: SUMA Fundraising Committee, UA&M Grants Task Force.

Artistic Vision, Exhibitions, and Collections:

• Define and champion SUMA’s artistic direction and exhibition vision.
• Oversee innovative exhibitions, publications, and public programs aligned with the museum’s mission and long-term goals.
• Work with SUMA staff in acquiring works that strengthen the permanent collection.
• Collaborate with artists, curators, and cultural institutions to deliver high-quality, relevant, and accessible programming.
• Serve as liaison with SUU Enterprise Risk Management and Legal Affairs on exhibition-related contracts and inter-museum agreements.
• Associated Boards & Committees: SUMA Collections Committee.

Community Engagement & Partnerships:

• Represent SUMA at campus, community, state, regional, and national events, conferences, and public engagements.
• Build and sustain strong 
• partnerships with arts organizations, educators, elected officials, and community leaders.
• Ensure dynamic public programming that enhances academic integration, audience development, and community participation.
• Develop new collaborations and strengthen existing relationships across campus and the broader region.
• Serve as the museum’s primary spokesperson, strengthening SUMA’s reputation locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Associated Boards & Committees: SUMA Advisory Board, Utah Division of Arts & Museums Services Board.

Additional Duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education & Experience 

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate degree
  • Preferred: Masters Degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Arts Administration, or a related field.
• Proven leadership experience in a museum, gallery, or cultural institution.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation, and financial management.
• Demonstrated ability to foster an inclusive, collaborative, and professional environment.
• Exceptional leadership, organizational, and managerial skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities; skilled at engaging with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of art, art history, and contemporary practices.
• Passionate advocate for the arts and committed to SUMA’s mission.
• Innovative, adaptable, and forward-thinking.
• Able to maintain a positive, calm disposition during rapid change or high-demand periods.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and be eligible to obtain and maintain SUU Motor Pool certification for operation of the SUMA van.

Supplemental Information

Documents needed to apply:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter/Letter of Interest addressing qualifications and alignment with SUMA’s mission
• Statement of Leadership Philosophy (including approaches to accountability and team culture)
• Optional- Writing Sample (e.g., fundraising appeal, strategic plan excerpt, major communication)
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Position is contingent on funding.

Due to recent changes in H1B visa fees, Southern Utah University is no longer able to sponsor international faculty and staff that require an H1B visa and are currently living outside of the United States.