Vice President for Public Engagement

ABOUT THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY: The Newberry collection—some 1.6 million books, 600,000 maps, and 5 million manuscript pages—is a portal to more than six centuries of human history, from the Middle Ages to the present. We connect researchers and visitors with our collection in the Newberry’s reading rooms, exhibition galleries, program spaces, classrooms, and online digital resources.

Expanding public engagement and reaching new, more diverse audiences is a strategic priority for the Newberry. Through innovative programming and exhibitions, as well as dynamic partnerships, we aim to broaden the ways people encounter and interact with the humanities and our collections. The Newberry’s community of discovery is driven by a shared commitment to promoting research, inspiring learning, and using inquiry across the humanities as a tool to engage critically in a vibrant democratic society.

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Newberry Library’s President and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Vice President will provide leadership and vision to the Newberry in the activities that center around the public, namely its public programs, adult education seminars, exhibitions, book shop, marketing and communications, and visitor experience generally understood. The Vice President will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with the President, Board of Trustees, Senior Staff colleagues, and other library staff to set strategic priorities for public engagement and audience development at the Newberry. The incumbent also will play a critical role as a Newberry representative internally (with staff and the Board of Trustees) and externally (with colleagues at peer institutions, community partner organizations, and the media).

The Vice President will directly supervise four director-level staff as well as a part-time administrative specialist in a division of approximately fifteen staff members.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide strategic leadership and programmatic vision as the Newberry continues its efforts to build and engage audiences on a local, national, and global level;
• Serve as a member of the library’s Senior Staff, advising on institutional policy and strategy;
• Set and track progress on divisional goals and manage the divisional budget;
• Supervise staff responsible for exhibitions, public programs, adult education seminars, marketing and communications, and volunteer management and take a lead on Newberry initiatives in these areas where appropriate, especially for larger-scale or high-profile events and initiatives (including the publication of the The Newberry Magazine, the planning of NewberryFest and the awarding of the Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award.)
• Supervise staff responsible for grant-funded programming housed in the Public Engagement division;
• Collaborate with colleagues in Development on relevant fundraising activities, including grant applications and reporting;
• Serve as a principal staff liaison with the library’s Board of Trustees on the Public Engagement Committee;
• Develop and sustain relationships and partnerships with peer cultural, community, educational, media, and philanthropic organizations;
• Complete special projects as assigned by the President, and;
• Perform all other additional tasks needed for the achievement of Newberry Library goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (master's or above) in a humanities field preferred;
• Minimum five years of experience of public engagement-focused work such as envisioning and developing exhibitions, public programs, and lifelong learning opportunities that engage broad and diverse audiences;
• Demonstrated experiencing managing staff and budgets;
• Demonstrated communication and project management skills;
• Ability to advocate for humanities-based cultural programming, including through grant-writing and fundraising;
• Ability to build sustainable working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including staff colleagues, Board of Trustees, donors, volunteers, and external partners;
• Experience with audience research and development in a library, cultural institution, educational institution, or similar setting

SCHEDULE: This is a full-time, exempt position, working 35 hours per week. While normal working hours are generally from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, incumbent will need to work outside these hours, as needed, to accomplish goals and may adjust schedule accordingly with supervisor’s permission. While remote work is possible, the incumbent will work primarily onsite.