Director of the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry and Head of Education

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Department AI Museum Director About the Department As the fine arts museum of the University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art is a site for rigorous inquiry and exchange that encourages the examination of complex issues through the lens of art objects and artistic practice. Through strong scholarly and community collaborations and a welcoming approach to its exhibitions, collections, publications, research and teaching, and public programs, the Smart Museum plays a dynamic role in expanding artistic canons, rethinking received histories, introducing new perspectives, and engaging diverse communities — locally, nationally, and internationally. Job Summary The Director of the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry is charged with conceptualizing, leading, and advancing the museum’s academic engagement, student and community outreach, and public programming. This position serves as a critical ambassador for advancing the role of art in teaching at large and shapes interdisciplinary pedagogy and community engagement. Through partnerships with faculty, students, and community members, the Director integrates object-based study into curricular and co-curricular pursuits and defines the Smart Museum as a premier destination for individuals from disparate disciplines to engage in collaborative research, learning, and conversation through the lens of art objects. With the additional role of Head of Education, this position will also oversee the Smart’s K-12 and family programming. This additional role will constitute approximately 10 percent of the total responsibilities for the position. Responsibilities Partners with Museum Director to set vision, strategy, and goals for the Feitler Center of Academic Inquiry. Works closely with the Director to implement the Smart Museum of Art’s new strategic plan. This includes launching the Museum’s first-ever Thinktank, which will build out new interdisciplinary avenues of inquiry and research, especially around art and science. Oversees Feitler Center staff, budget, and overall activities; collaborative programs with University and community partners; robust internships and student professional development experiences. Builds and maintains relationships with faculty and students to foster innovation, experimentation, and practice connected to multi-disciplinary object-based teaching and research. Articulates the impactful role art can have in teaching and learning across campus and in the community. Serves as an enthusiastic connector and a liaison to academic departments and administrative units within the University. This may include organizing workshops, colloquia, and public programs that bring together disparate partners and create opportunities for collaboration. Supports curricular engagement with the Smart Museum of Art by organizing and teaching or co-teaching University class visits. Works to grow the number of classes and range of disciplines that come to the museum. Partners with Director and Deputy Director in development of marketing plan and strategic partnerships on and off campus to expand visibility of the Smart. As appropriate , organizes and/or oversees curricular-driven exhibitions. Collaborates with colleagues across the Smart Museum of Art to advance museum-wide goals. Works closely with the Museum’s Director and the Director of Development to lead and support fundraising efforts. Serves as a staff lead on the Feitler Center’s Advisory Committee. In partnership with the Museum’s Director, contributes to the communications strategy and marketing efforts aimed at increasing the visibility of the Museum on campus and beyond. Actively engages in a network of museum and university arts leaders, including organizing and attending conference panels, symposia, and other opportunities that share and strengthen the Museum’s activities. Partners with the Museum’s Director to set vision, strategy, and goals for public programs and the Museum’s K-12 engagement. Provides oversight for education staff, budget, and overall activities. Manages employees by establishing annual performance goals, allocating resources, assessing annual performance, and determining individual merit, incentive, and/or promotional increases. Manages program operations and administrative functions which may include planning and scheduling, program evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budget, marketing, fundraising and proposal development. Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: Preferred Qualifications Education : PhD in art history, visual culture, or related field. Preferred Competencies Demonstrated ability to articulate a strong pedagogical vision for object-based teaching across a range of disciplines. Interest in expanding the Smart’s curricular engagement to new areas of the university, especially in the sciences . Excellent teaching skills at a university level with an emphasis on object-based and interactive approaches. Excellent research skills that can be used to enable connections between the permanent collection and a range of interdisciplinary courses. An interdisciplinary thinker who has genuine enthusiasm for collaboration. Demonstrated commitment to academic engagement with faculty and students. Strong experience in team leadership, including mentoring, performance management, and collaboration. Demonstrated ability to manage programs, events, and broader projects. Experience with assessment and evaluation. Establish and maintain collaborative and effective relationships with the Museum’s internal team, University collaborators, and a range of museum audiences. Strong commitment and ability to provide outreach at all levels with well-developed interpersonal skills and work positively and collegially with staff, researchers, and colleagues. Well-developed written/oral communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Knowledge of museum best practices as well as current and emerging trends in the academic museum field. Working Conditions Standard office conditions . May remain stationary f or extended periods of time . Moves throughout the museum to various rooms/offices , ascending and descending elevations . Application Documents Resume/CV (required) Cover Letter (preferred) References Contact Information (3) (preferred) When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Administration & Management Role Impact People Manager Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary ? FLSA Status Exempt ? Pay Range $125,000.00 - $150,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook . Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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