Associate Director, Artistic Programs & Operations - 139130

Together with the Chief Campus Curator, the Associate Director, Artistic Programs & Operations provides strategic programming and operational leadership for the Chief Campus Curator's Office. The position translates curatorial vision into cohesive, high-impact exhibitions, public art commissions, research initiatives, and public programs that advance ArtsConnect priorities and the university's cultural mission.

As the Strauss transitions into a fully operational contemporary art museum in Spring 2027, the Associate Director oversees curatorial programming supporting a $20+ million-dollar contemporary art collection representing hundreds of artists, along with multiple rotating exhibitions. The Associate Director's oversight includes research, acquisition, documentation, stewardship, and maintenance of works of art. The position ensures consistent artistic quality, research rigor, accessibility and long-term stewardship of institutional assets while coordinating simultaneous projects across curatorial, technical, and administrative teams.

The position directly supervises staff and guides projects through the entire lifecycle -- from early research and concept development through design, fabrication, installation, interpretation, and public engagement, ensuring conceptual coherence, and timely delivery across all initiatives.

The Associate Director functions as an expert advisor using advanced knowledge to the Chief Campus Curator and campus administration on curatorial operations, resource planning, and policy implementation. The position analyzes and resolves complex curatorial, technical, and operational challenges, interprets policies and procedures, and elevates systemic issues requiring process or policy improvements to senior leadership. Ensures accountability and stewardship of resources, aligning program and project outcomes with departmental goals and university objectives.

The Associate Director ensures that all artistic output reflects the vision of the Chief Campus Curator, supports the Chancellor's priorities, and positions UC San Diego as a destination for transformative artistic practice.

• Specialization in an area of the museum's collection and knowledge of standard museum curatorial practices.

• Demonstrated expertise in contemporary art or a related specialization applied to shaping exhibition themes, artist selection, and curatorial frameworks across exhibitions andpublic art initiatives

• Knowledge of collection building / connoisseurship, ethical and legal standards for acquisition, and of the current market.

• Demonstrated understanding of ethical acquisition practices, legal considerations, and art marketdynamics supporting responsible stewardship and collection development initiatives.

• Knowledge of selection, evaluation, and exhibition of objects. ** Demonstrated skill in selecting, evaluating, and presenting artworks through cohesive exhibition narratives, spatial planning, and audience-centered interpretiveframeworks.

• Knowledge of the principles of conservation / preservation. * Demonstrated knowledge of museum curatorial standards and emerging practices used to guide exhibition development, interpretive strategies,accessibility, and visitor experience design.

• Donor cultivation and relationship building skills.

• Skills in scholarly research and writing scholarly publications.

• Strong supervisor and leadership skills demonstrated by the ability to teach, influence, persuade others to take action based on vision and strategic objectives

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to accommodate global business hours as needed.

• Position requires domestic and international travel based on business need. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid passport and/or REAL ID.

• Mandated Reporter: This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and requires immediate reporting of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect of anyone under the age of 18. It is the responsibility of the Mandated Reporter to ensure that they obtain proper training in order to fulfill their reporting responsibilities as required by the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and University policy, and to complete and submit the required reportsto the UC San Diego Police Department without delay.

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace