Vice President, Public Programs & Exhibitions

Department: Public Programs

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Compensation: $265,000 - $290,000 / year

Description

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact:

Tory Clarke
Partner, Bridge Partners
tory.clarke@bridgepartnersllc.com

Overview
The Organization:
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for all New Yorkers for more than 125 years. It includes the world-renowned research centers at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Library for the Performing Arts. Our mission is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities, and we rely on three great resources—our staff, our collections, and our physical and digital spaces—to provide opportunities for learning and growth.

The Library’s uniqueness lies in its vast research holdings, coupled with its vibrant community branches and its public/private partnerships throughout the nation and the world. Its vision and reach are both local and global. Serving more than 16 million patrons a year across the New York metropolitan area and millions more online, the Library holds more than 56 million items, from books, e-books, and DVDs to renowned research collections used by scholars from around the world.

Averaging 25+ exhibitions and 200+ programs a year, the NYPL’s exhibitions and public programs are rich, varied and inspiring, including:

At the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building: The Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures showcases some of the most extraordinary items from NYPL’s collections, inspiring and empowering visitors to discover, learn, and create new knowledge through manuscripts, artworks, letters, still and moving images, recordings, and more that bring vividly to life voices of the past, while LIVE from NYPL – one of NYC’s premier cultural series – features of free events, conversations, and performances that bring together distinguished writers, artists, thinkers and scholars.
At the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: exhibitions like 100: A Century of Collecting and programs such as the Black Comic Book Festival celebrate Black history, imagination, and scholarship. Through year-round events and exhibitions, the Center invites audiences of all ages to engage with the depth and global breadth of Black culture.
At the Library for the Performing Arts: exhibitions and public programs spotlight the creative forces behind music, dance, theater, and film. Recent highlights include the exhibition Rhythm Is My Business: Women Who Shaped Jazz, and conversation series The Dance Historian Is In, the musical workshop and performance series Across a Crowded Room.
…and many more!

The Role:
The Vice President of Public Programs & Exhibitions is the senior leader responsible for the strategic direction and execution of programs and exhibitions across NYPL’s three research libraries. They will define and implement a strategic vision for engaging the public through programs and exhibitions at the research libraries, reaching 2M+ visitors per year across dozens of exhibitions and hundreds of programs.
Location: New York City

Reports to: Brent Reidy, Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Research Libraries
Team: 40+ total FTEs.
Budget: $7 million per annum

Overview & Opportunities:
Illuminate the Wonder of the Research Libraries

Take the NYPL’s historic collections and their innovative interpretation/exploration to new heights, forging a blueprint for public programming that engages the public’s curiosity around big ideas, and for exhibitions that underscore the breadth and depth our collections in contemporary and innovative ways.
Lead the effort to translate the vastness, richness, and cultural significance of NYPL’s research collections and subject areas, and the insights of their curators, into compelling exhibitions and public programs. Shape storytelling that captivates broad audiences while honoring the intellectual depth and specificity of each collection and research center.

Unify Vision

Lead and shape a newly-formed team and division, bringing together the public programming and exhibition teams at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the Schomburg Center, and the Library for the Performing Arts for the first time, to create a unified, strategic, and innovative group.
Foster cross-library collaboration and build trust among curators, staff, and central departments to align and actualize work across NYPL’s Research Libraries. Balance the distinct identities of each library with a shared strategic direction that reflects system-wide goals.
Work in partnership with leadership for public programming in NYPL’s Branch Library system (including at our Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library) to deliver on institution-wide initiatives.

Put Audiences at the Center of the Experience

Use data and insights to better understand who NYPL’s visitors are and what engages and supports them —deepening connection with existing audiences while reaching and intriguing new ones.
Ensure programs and exhibitions are inclusive, welcoming, and relevant, strengthening NYPL’s impact as a public research institution while also capturing the imagination of global visitors.

Build Smarter, Stronger Systems for Execution

Champion the adoption of clear, efficient processes and protocols that enhance communication, streamline project management, and model accountability. Create infrastructure that supports timely delivery, disciplined planning, and seamless collaboration—internally and with key institutional partners.

Responsibilities:

Create a comprehensive vision and strategic direction for a diverse and dynamic portfolio of concurrent exhibitions and public programs of varying scale and complexity, ensuring strong alignment with the institution's mission, research libraries’ goals, and public engagement objectives.
Provide strategic and operational leadership for the exemplary delivery of that vision, including the complete lifecycle of exhibitions and public programs and guiding cross-departmental teams, from conceptualization and planning through implementation and evaluation.
Collaborate closely with senior management in strategic planning, management, and resource allocation.
Partner with curatorial leadership and other internal and external subject matter experts on the development of innovative approaches to exhibitions and public programming.
Partner with Branch Libraries and Education programming leadership to develop impactful marquee programming that supports shared strategic goals and cultivates a citywide reading culture.
Support fundraising efforts in partnership with the Mellon Director, Center Directors, and Development office.
Proactively pursue professional growth and demonstrate national field-wide leadership
Attend Board and committee meetings and, as needed, prepare and deliver presentations to inform strategic discussions and decision-making.

Required Education, Experience & Skills

The Leader:
Education

An advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., museum studies, library science, public history, arts administration), or a combination of education and experience that demonstrates the competencies required for the role.

Executive Leadership in Cultural Institutions

At least 10 years in senior leadership roles within museums, libraries or other complex cultural institutions, with responsibility for strategic planning, budgeting, team management, and the successful execution of high-impact, multi-stakeholder projects.

Exhibition and Public Programming Leadership

Demonstrated success in conceptualizing, planning, and delivering exhibitions and/or public programs that are innovative, inclusive, and resonant with broad audiences. Deep understanding of interpretive planning and audience engagement.

Strategic Vision and Execution

Proven ability to develop and implement a strategic vision that guides exhibition and public programming efforts across multiple locations and departments. Experience aligning diverse teams around common goals and delivering measurable outcomes.

Change Management and Organizational Development

Experience leading teams through organizational growth or transformation, with a track record of strengthening internal systems, clarifying roles and processes, and fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and collaboration.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Skilled in leading enterprise-wide initiatives involving multiple departments and senior stakeholders. Able to navigate complexity, build trust across functions, and sustain momentum on collaborative efforts.

People and Performance Management

Strong background in hiring, developing, and leading diverse teams. Able to translate strategic priorities into clear objectives, provide consistent guidance, and cultivate a respectful, high- performing work culture.

Resource Stewardship and Financial Acumen

Experience managing complex budgets in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner. Comfortable interpreting financial data, setting budget priorities, and ensuring financial accountability.

More...

Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
Be Resourceful in solving problems
Be Curious in all aspects of your work
Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

Research Libraries

Physical Duties

Some light lifting/moving may be required

Pre-Placement Physical Required?

Union/Non Union

Non-Union

FLSA Status

Exempt

Schedule

Monday - Friday 9-5
Weekends and Evenings are required

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).

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