Director of Education and Public Engagement

As of November 2024, this search has reached an advanced stage. Until this search is formally closed, we will continue to review applications and keep materials on file.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (The Huntington), a renowned collections-based research and educational institution, seeks an innovative, strategic, and collaborative leader for the position of Nadine and Robert A. Skotheim Director of Education and Public Engagement.

The Huntington is a 207-acre campus and one of Southern California’s premiere cultural landmarks. Open to the public since 1928, its mission is to “share its world-renowned collections to support scholarship, foster learning, inspire creativity, and offer transformative experiences for diverse audiences.” As the institution enters its second hundred years, it continues to be an inspiring destination for scholars and visitors, hosting 2,000 researchers, 54,000 member households, and over 1.1 million guests in 2023.

Under the leadership of President Karen Lawrence, The Huntington has deepened its collections across the Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens and significantly expanded access and public engagement. The One Huntington strategic plan emphasizes that The Huntington’s physical and intellectual resources, individually and in tandem, provide critical cultural, historical, and ecological frameworks for understanding the past and the present. The plan lays out a five-year vision for sustaining multidisciplinary collaboration, engaging broad publics on-site and online, and providing leadership to address contemporary challenges.

Reporting to the President, the Director of Education and Public Engagement will be responsible for shaping an innovative and ambitious vision for The Huntington’s diverse learning experiences, consistent with the institution’s strategic plan and aspirations. Overseeing a budget of $2.4 million, a full-time staff of 22, and 1000 volunteers and docents, this is an extraordinary opportunity to expand programs, reach new audiences through in-person and digital engagement, and champion the continued relevance of The Huntington’s collections and research.

As the Education division looks to the future, the Director is expected to address the following interrelated opportunities and challenges as key priorities.

• Provide exceptional institutional leadership in partnership with the President and Senior Staff 
• Craft an ambitious, shared vision for education and public engagement across The Huntington
• Champion diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in all aspects of the division’s work
• Provide effective and strategic cross-divisional leadership and collaboration
• Support and strengthen critical relationships

This is a full-time, on-site position in San Marino, CA. The targeted salary is $200,000-230,000, commensurate with experience.

Claire Hennessey and Ryan Leichenauer are leading this search with Aku Ammah-Tagoe and Rachel Banderob.

At The Huntington, we believe that having a team of people with diverse backgrounds and voices will enable us to support and promote the appreciation of the humanities, the arts, and botanical science. The Huntington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.