Print Friendly, PDF & Email
  • Full Time
  • St. Louis City
  • Applications have closed
  • Salary: n/a
  • Organization Type: Art/Culture

Missouri Historical Society

Managing Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility 

Position:

MHS is pleased to announce the creation of a new senior leadership position: Managing Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).  The focus of the Managing Director‘s role is to work with colleagues on the executive leadership team and employees to build a culture of inclusion. The MHS Board and Leadership Team view this work among its highest priorities and significant institutional initiatives.  It strives to be a place where individuals from all racial and ethnic identities, ages, nationalities, social and economic statuses, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religious, political and ideological perspectives, and abilities can be engaged, feel valued and thrive as a team member.

Under the direction of the CEO and in collaboration with the executive leadership, the Managing Director of DEIA will develop and implement a clear vision for DEIA.  The ideal candidate will be able to build upon existing diversity efforts and design and implement new, actionable and measurable initiatives that create meaningful change through a culture of diversity, inclusion and accessibility. The focus of the Managing Director ‘s role is to work with colleagues on the executive leadership team and employees to build a culture of inclusion, collegiality, and positive engagement with the institution and our work.

Initially, the role will focus the majority of time on internal culture change, and on building community and professional bridges to diversify the museum field.  The successful applicant will also work in conjunction with other MHS staff members to assist in securing funding for institution-wide DEIA  training and museum related initiatives.

The position will provide oversight leadership of the Human Resources department. Another key goal will be to strengthen existing and establish new relationships with external organizations to help further situate MHS as a community resource and anchor. Over time, the Managing Director will become an essential institutional ambassador to the community.

About MHS:

The Missouri Historical Society is nationally recognized as one of the exemplary historical cultural institutions in the United States by the American Alliance of Museums, its accrediting body.  The Historical Society is comprised of three outstanding and historically significant facilities: the Missouri History Museum, the Library & Research Center, and the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum.  Its rich, carefully curated collections, exhibitions and public programs span the depth and breadth of the history of the American heartland and the West.  The offerings examine the accomplishments as well as the significant challenges of the region’s history and is among the institutions in Missouri demonstrating “what’s right with the region.”

The museum has won numerous awards and recognition for the quality, innovation and unflinching look at St. Louis’ regional history in exhibits ranging from jazz, to Lewis and Clark, suffrage, immigration, the struggle and legal precedents for civil rights, Americans in war and the fashion world – all presented through a lens of diversity and inclusion.

MHS is the only place with the sole mission of producing experiences that help visitors gain a deep, multi-faceted understanding of the St. Louis region and its historical significance to the nation. MHS seeks to engage the entire community in a growing, comprehensive knowledge of St. Louis’ place in history and its possibilities for the future.  MHS engages with students of all ages, college and university scholars, celebrities, historians, writers and artists as it builds its growing collections and presents expertly sourced and curated exhibitions with depth and innovation.  It is this ongoing cross-cultural and community collaboration that has made it the exemplary organization it is today.  To engage the broad diversity of the region, MHS has committed to making its exhibitions and programs largely free of admission fees. Here history comes to life!

As one of its foundational values, MHS has always been committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.  This commitment is evidenced in its mission, community collaborations and its many pioneering exhibits and public programs.

In June 2020, this ongoing commitment was more formally stated in the Board of Directors’ Statement on Racial Equality and in the creation of a new senior level position specifically designed to further its efforts internally, culturally and collaboratively across the community.  MHS desires to strengthen the commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility beyond its exhibits and programs.  It has also engaged in self-examination that has led it to undertake a transformation that extends the rich ethnic, racial and socio-economic diversity of the City and region it so often expresses in its public exhibits to its internal profile.  The museum recognizes that it cannot continue to succeed as a teller of stories about diversity without reflecting that diversity throughout its organization, leadership and culture.

Education and Experience:

·       Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

·       At least five years of progressive experience in developing and implementing organizational diversity and cross-cultural effective transformational strategies in large organizations with diverse constituencies.

·       In-depth knowledge of laws, regulations, policies and guidelines and innovation related to diversity, inclusion and nondiscrimination, including Title VII, ADEA, ADA, and Section 504.

Skills:

·       Innovative, strategic and results-oriented leader with a visionary approach and commitment to the role of diversity in achieving institutional excellence.

·       Adept at facilitating difficult discussions, managing change, creating and strengthening partnerships, and aligning an array of efforts across a large, complex organization.

·       Able to develop and implement proactive initiatives (including training, tools, and other solutions), assess their impact, and adjust as necessary.

·       A strong communicator and an active listener, who can clearly express the institutional and DEIA mission and impact to a broad range of diverse stakeholders.

·       A team player, skilled facilitator and relationship-builder, able to foster effective relationships, collaborations and who can motivate and work collaboratively with a broad spectrum of employees and stakeholders at all levels.

·       Passion for St. Louis and its history and the mission of the Missouri Historical Society.

Application Process:

1.       Follow this link to take a five-minute behavioral assessment: https://assessment.predictiveindex.com/bo/o1f/DEIAmhs.

2.       Submit a resume and cover letter that expresses your interest and qualifications for the position to search@emdconsulting.com. Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis, with priority given to those applying by September 10, 2020.