Executive Director

The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art (The Ringling), is seeking an accomplished and visionary Executive Director to lead the institution as it approaches its centenary in 2027.

The Role

The Executive Director will provide strategic, operational and financial leadership for The Ringling, guiding the institution as it approaches its centenary and enters its second century.

Working closely with Florida State University, The Ringling Museum of Art Foundation Board, donors and the senior leadership team, the Executive Director will shape the organisation’s future, steward its collections and historic assets, and strengthen its impact locally, nationally and internationally.

The role combines cultural leadership with fundraising, organisational management, community engagement and the development of strong relationships across the museum, university and wider cultural sector.

Qualifications

• An advanced degree is required; a scholarly record is desirable.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong public presence.
• Strong strategic, organisational and financial leadership skills.
• Emotional intelligence, sound judgement and an inclusive, collaborative leadership style.
• An understanding of technology and its potential within museum operations and programming.

Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within a museum, cultural institution or similarly complex organisation.
• A track record of setting strategic priorities and successfully delivering organisational change.
• Significant fundraising and donor relations experience, particularly with major individual donors.
• Experience working effectively with boards, senior stakeholders and community partners.
• The ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams within a complex organisation.
• Experience building partnerships and identifying opportunities for new programmes and innovation.
• An understanding of the cultural sector and the responsibilities of leading a public, state-funded institution.

About The Ringling

The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art (The Ringling) is Florida’s State Art Museum and one of the largest university-based museum complexes in the United States.

Located on a 66-acre waterfront campus in Sarasota, The Ringling brings together art, circus heritage, performance, historic architecture and gardens. Its attractions include the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, Ca’ d’Zan mansion and Historic Asolo Theater.

Stewarded by Florida State University since 2000, The Ringling welcomes more than 400,000 visitors annually and cares for a collection of approximately 45,000 objects.