Founded in 1985 by Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988), The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum (The Noguchi Museum), was the first museum in the United States to be established, designed, and installed by a living artist to show their own work. Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Long Island City, Queens, the Museum itself is widely viewed as one of the artist’s greatest achievements. Holding the world’s largest collection of his works, the Museum features open air and indoor galleries in a repurposed 1920s industrial building and a serene outdoor sculpture garden.
Since its founding, the Museum has served as an international hub for Noguchi research and appreciation. In addition to managing the artist’s archives and catalogue raisonné, the Museum exhibits a comprehensive selection of Noguchi’s material culture, from sculpture, models, and drawings to his personal collectibles. The Museum is also the North American distributor of Isamu Noguchi’s Akari light sculptures and manages the distribution of Akari worldwide.
Capital Project
In the next few years, the Museum will embark on a capital project, expanding the Museum’s campus. The plans will include a new nearly 20,000-square-foot facility on its properties across the street from the Museum and adjacent to Isamu Noguchi’s original 1960 studio building. The Museum will also preserve the studio building, which is in urgent need of stabilization. Noguchi’s workshop spaces will be renovated, and the living quarters Noguchi created will be restored, with regular tours for visitors. Once complete, the renovation will enable the Museum to secure this important historic property and open it to the public for the first time. The project is anticipated to cost around $30 million and has received commitments from the City of New York.
The Director of Operations will be part of the team overseeing the planning and execution of the renovation and construction projects to ensure that the facilities are safe, functional, and in alignment with the Museum’s mission, history, and aesthetic. In addition, they will manage the transition from construction and renovation into operational space, including overseeing final inspections and ensuring compliance with zoning laws, building codes, and goals for sustainability.
The Position
The Director of Operations reports to the Director and will be responsible for ensuring the efficient and safe day-to-day management of The Noguchi Museum’s 45,000 square-foot Museum campus. Supported by the Manager of Building Operations and the Manager of Visitor Services, this position will manage all buildings and building system operations, including security, visitor services, facilities requirements for event and exhibition preparation, and IT services. They will work collaboratively with the staff to maintain, protect, and enhance the physical spaces, cultivate a welcoming environment, protect the integrity and quality of the storage and retail space, and ensure that the Museum’s operations cohesively support its mission. The ideal candidate will be energetic, focused, and responsive to the needs of the Museum’s campus and buildings, its programs and activities, and to other employees.
The successful candidate must possess exceptional organizational and problem-solving abilities, as well as experience managing complex logistics and multiple priorities. They will have knowledge of best practices in museum operations, including safety and security, sustainability, engagement and management of contractors, and facilities and grounds maintenance and support. They should be adept at communicating with senior management and all staff, as well as with the facilities and visitor services teams, and the outside vendors that they manage.
Specific Responsibilities include:
Facilities and Visitor Services
Financial
Information Technology
Qualifications:
Other Information:
The Director of Operations is a full-time, in-person position and is located in The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, Queens. The position requires on-call availability to respond to emergencies at the Museum 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Work is performed inside and outside in all weather conditions and requires frequent and/or sustained movement within and between buildings, as well as in an office setting. The health and safety of our community is our first priority. As such, The Noguchi Museum strongly encourages all staff members to be fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
The Noguchi Museum is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other criterion specified by federal, state or local laws, in the administration of its employment policy. The Museum considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply.
Founded in 1985 by Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988), The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum (The Noguchi Museum), was the first museum in the United States to be established, designed, and installed by a living artist to show their own work. Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Long Island City, Queens, the Museum itself is widely viewed as one of the artist’s greatest achievements. Holding the world’s largest collection of his works, the Museum features open air and indoor galleries in a repurposed 1920s industrial building and a serene outdoor sculpture garden.
Since its founding, the Museum has served as an international hub for Noguchi research and appreciation. In addition to managing the artist’s archives and catalogue raisonné, the Museum exhibits a comprehensive selection of Noguchi’s material culture, from sculpture, models, and drawings to his personal collectibles. The Museum is also the North American distributor of…
Compensation:
Salary range is $160,000–180,000 annually, and benefits include a generous health insurance program, including medical, dental, and vision, pre-tax commuter benefits, a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer contribution and match after a year of employment, and generous paid time off.
Compensation:
Salary range is $160,000–180,000 annually, and benefits include a generous health insurance program, including medical, dental, and vision, pre-tax commuter benefits, a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer contribution and match after a year of employment, and generous paid time off.
The Noguchi Museum has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:
Anne McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer
Harris Rand Lusk
260 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Email cover letter and resume to: sstoker@harrisrand.com
Please include “Noguchi DOO” in the subject line of the email
The Noguchi Museum has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:
Anne McCarthy…