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Director, Partition Museum

The Partition Museum, Amritsar is searching for an inspirational leader to be the new Director of the museum, taking over CEO responsibilities from the founding CEO. The Museum Director will lead the strategic, personnel and financial aspects of the Partition Museum to deliver its mission of creating a People’s Museum that remembers the millions of people impacted by the Partition of India; if they have prior relevant experience, they will also lead the creative aspects of the Museum. He or she will report directly to the Board of Trustees, ensuring effective governance and management of all aspects of the organization, and leading this important museum successfully through the next phase of its growth and development.

Key Objectives for the Partition Museum:

1. Continue to improve and upgrade the galleries & facilities of the Partition Museum to ensure it is a world-class museum dedicated to remembering the millions impacted in the Partition
2. Grow visitor engagement through a moving & unique Museum, ongoing programming, and focused outreach activities to drive both footfall and visitor experience
3. Build an energetic and well-managed organization with strong governance, institutional strength and stability, and an effective and happy team
4. Ensure legal, financial and regulatory compliance. Ensure financial strength and sustainability, with a particular focus on developing sustainable income streams.
5. Build the collections of the Museum, and further its mission to become a repository for Partition-related materials for students, scholars, artists and the community
6. Deepen and articulate the Partition Museum’s educational and social impact
7. Put in place all required systems for the Museum and the organization
8. Foster a broad community and partnerships with a range of institutions

Key Director Responsibilities

The Director responsibilities are divided into two components. The ability to deliver outstandingly on art A (the strategic, financial and operational aspects of running the Museum) is an absolute prerequisite for the role. Part B, related to the creative aspects of the Museum, is an optional part of this role depending on the prior experience of the candidate; the creative aspects will be jointly managed with the Curator(s) of the Museum.

Part A: Strategic, Financial, Operational Leadership:

1. Strategy, vision and policies: The Director will lead the development of the museum’s strategy, vision and policies. They will work closely with the Board to define long and short term strategic plans, and an annual work plan, and will report and monitor on their progress. They will write or review all museum policies. 

2. Governance: The Director will maintain a strong relationship between the museum and its Board of Trustees,  advising the Board on all matters relating to the management, development and forward planning for the museum. They will prepare and present reports for trustees’ meetings, and the annual reports. They will ensure that the museum complies with all relevant laws and regulations (e.g. Indian Trusts Act, tax law etc.)

3. Financial and business management: The Director is responsible for the overall ongoing financial health of the museum, including developing and implementing a robust business model for the museum that includes both income generation and fundraising strategies to ensure financial resilience. They will prepare an annual operating budget for approval by the Board, and will authorize operating expenditures and responsibly manage the museum’s resources. They will oversee all financial and accounting functions, including payroll, budgeting, timely billing and payments etc.

4. Personnel management: The Director will lead the museum’s staff, inspiring and motivating them to deliver a world-class facility. This includes assigning and supervising work, fostering a positive and collaborative working culture, and looking into complaints and grievances. They will lead recruitment in line with approved plans, and will ensure compliance with HR regulations.

5. Operational management: The Director will create a welcoming, vibrant and sustainable venue that offers a high quality visitor experience through day-to-day oversight of the Museum and its performance. They will ensure that all visitors receive an excellent standard of customer care, and that all written and verbal enquiries are dealt with appropriately, and that the museum’s facilities are maintained and presented to a high standard.

6. Thought leadership: The Director will be the museum’s public face and key advocate and will lead the process of positioning the Museum among international thought leaders. They will interface with senior government counterparts, and represent the museum in the wider cultural, heritage and educational world.

7. Marketing and communications: The Director will take responsibility for building the museum’s public profile, and driving footfall through focused, high quality, internal and external, marketing and communications activities.

8. Additionally, the Director will:
• Carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required by the Board of trustees

Who we are looking for

Part A: Required

  1. Experience heading an organization or a business unit/programmatic area within a largerorganization (non-profit or cultural experience preferred but not required)
  2. Substantial experience in financial management, including budget preparation and administration,
    fundraising, and managing limited resources
  3. Demonstrated experience in strategic decision-making and operational excellence
  4. Experience of working closely with a Board
  5. An entrepreneurial approach, ideally with track record in generating income
  6. Experience of fundraising and working with funding partners
  7. A thorough understanding of, and networks in, India’s creative ecology
  8. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with internal and external relationships
  9. Excellent people management skills, motivational skills and the ability to resolve conflict
  10. Ability to create effective partnerships, and to interface with senior government functionaries
  11. Fluent written and verbal communications skills, including strong report writing, and the ability to
    deal with public platforms and the media
  12. Demonstrated familiarity with marketing, communication and outreach strategies
  13. Experience in and understanding of the use of digital resources
  14. Sound judgment, humility and impeccable ethics
  15. Commitment to the mission of the Partition Museum

Part B: Creative Leadership (optional dependent on background of applicant; to be co-led in any case with the Curator(s) of the Museum)

9. Content and Programming: The Director will lead the development and delivery of an imaginative programme of exhibitions, installations and activities. This will include upgrades to existing galleries, as well as temporary and touring exhibitions, events, and other programming. They will put a particular focus on outreach to school and youth and a diversity of audiences.

10. Collections management: The Director will lead the implementation of a collection strategy that covers development, documentation, conservation, storage, security, research access and display, and ensure that the collection is managed in accordance with stated standards.
Who we are looking for:

Part B: Desirable
• Experience in a similar creative, cultural organization, particularly demonstrating curatorial judgement
• The ability to create and deliver successful exhibitions and public programmes
• Experience of audience development and delivering innovative programmes that appeal to diverse
audiences

Terms of Appointment
This full-time position will be offered as a 2-year contract in the first instance, which may be renewable by mutual interest. Part-time work or consultancy is not possible. The start date will be as soon as possible. The position is subject to a four-month probationary period. The notice period is four weeks by either party during the probationary period and thereafter four months for both employee and employer. Applicants must be authorized to work in India; the Partition Museum is not able to sponsor visas. Remuneration shall be as per industry standards. The position is based at our office in South Delhi with occasional travel to Amritsar.

The Application Process:

To apply for the position, please write a cover letter outlining your vision for the Partition Museum (in no more than 1,000 words) and why you believe you have the skills and experience to lead the next phase of the Partition Museum’s development. Please email your (a) cover letter, (b) CV, (c) current and expected salary, (d) earliest potential start date/notice period to [email protected] with the subject line ‘Director- Application’. Applications received by 9 December 2018 will be reviewed in a single batch thereafter, and shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews. Applications will continue to be accepted till the post is filled.

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Position: Winter Unpaid internship – 2018-19

Deadline: Rolling until a suitable candidate has been found

Starting Date: Immediately

Duration: 1 month – 2 months

Email: [email protected]

Details:
The Partition Museum  is seeking motivated and energetic interns to document oral histories, in Delhi and across India.

To apply, remember the following –

  1. Should be able to communicate in English, Hindi
  2. Knowledge of Punjabi and Bengali is preferred, as many partition survivors talk in either of the two languages.
  3. Having a DSLR camera or can arrange DSLR camera would be preferred
  4. Send in your resumes with cover letter to [email protected] and become an oral historian