The American Institute for Maritime Studies (AIMS) of Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation's leading maritime museum research facility and academic institute. The Institute provides research opportunities, fellowships, and internship programs and engages in scholarly publications, lecture series, conferences and symposia. It is the leading academic institute for the exploration of maritime history, maritime cultural connections, maritime art and contemporary maritime issues. AIMS scholars and staff broaden their scholarship and research by deep connections with national and international universities and museums. Much of the work of AIMS can be seen on Mystic Seaport Museum grounds through exhibitions and programming. The Center also works to create outreach and programming with local communities. Located in the Collections Research Center (CRC), the former J. Rossie Velvet Company houses the Museum's collections and offers safe and easy access to maritime researchers and scholars. Artifacts at the CRC include more than two million examples of maritime art, artifacts, tools, buildings, imprints and other documents, photographs, 1,000 ships registers, 600 audiotaped oral history interviews, 200 videotaped interviews, and 1.5 million feet of historic and contemporary maritime-related footage. The CRC opened in the fall of 2002 and was designed to exceed national museum standards for conservation, preservation, accessibility, and safety. The research center provides cutting-edge temperature and humidity control for the Museum's artifacts and also boasts audio/video production suites and extensive photo processing and digitizing labs. The Vice President of AIMS Brings strategic vision and intellectual thought leadership to their team by overseeing professionals dedicated to advancing the Museum's academic presence in maritime studies and development of maritime education as well as sharing those findings and stories with Museum audiences through exhibitions and programming. Responsibilities
- In collaboration with the Museum Leadership Team sets the direction and agenda for Institute research
- Lead, coach and develop the Institute members. Inspire the team with vision, innovative thinking and self-starting initiative. Ensure world-class output with high levels of contribution and ownership from team member.
- Manages collections policy; exhibitions and physical interpretations;
- Carries out new research and encourages and supports external research;
- Delivers and expands existing programs and identifies additional academic endeavors
- Builds and delivers conferences and seminars as related to Museum initiatives
- Working with the Senior Vice President of Creative Strategy maintains and expands relationships with Community Partners ensuring representation in Museum story telling and strengthens relationships with academic institutions
- Maintains current exhibitions and oversees the collaborative development of new exhibits
- Cares for all objects in collection by using AAM standards of conservation
- Oversees the management of Library and archives
- Oversees loans to other institutions
- Disseminates knowledge through publications such as MAINSHEET, digital, lectures, conferences, seminars
- Understands and diversifies the audience for research products
- Acts as spokesperson and representative to both internal and external audiences
- Networks and maintains relationships with key external constituencies, including academics, other researchers and stakeholders in the Maritime History space.
- Participates actively in research and organizational activities, collaborating with members of other departments on a regular basis, sometimes leading multidisciplinary teams, and offering advice on organizational priorities and direction
- Collaborates with fundraising colleagues to build relationships with potential funders, develop ideas and write papers to support grant applications as needed
RequirementsKnowledge and Skills Required
- Must have a core passion for the mission of the organization that prides itself in executing high-quality research and programming and ability to deliver content in academic and public settings
- Demonstrated academic lecturing skills, including the ability to design and deliver engaging, research-informed lectures.
- Proven ability to foster collaboration with other cultural institutions, groupsand organizations, building strategic partnerships to enhance program offerings, promote Museum initiatives and engage diverse communities.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills
- Subject matter expertise in Maritime Histories
- Ph.D., or equivalent experience, with a strong focus and familiarity within the Maritime community
- At least 15 years of relevant professional experience
- Previous experience at a management level
- Demonstrated track record of writing for and/or speaking to informed audiences
- Methodological background and understanding necessary to ensure that produced work is of unimpeachable quality
Salary Description $125,000 - $175,000 annually