Director of the Paintings Gallery and the Graphic Collection

The following vacancy at the Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien/Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna, is hereby announced:

Director of the Paintings Gallery and the Graphic Collection

This position is to be occupied for 6 years, starting from 1 Oktober 2015.

The Paintings Gallery, one of the three internationally most significant Old Masters Collections in Vienna, in situated within the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna, with about 1600 paintings. Highlights of the collection are some of the Dutch Masters, surrounding Hieronymus Bosch's triptych The Last Judgement, the old German Masters with major works from Lucas Cranach the Elder, Flemish paintings from Jacob Jordaens and Peter Paul Rubens and Van Dyck, as well as the characterful Dutch bourgeois paintings of the 17th century, with works from Jacob von Ruisdael, Rembrandt and Pieter De Hooch. Some of the outstanding masters of the Italian schools displayed include Botticelli, Titian, Gianbattista Tiepolo and Francesco Guardi.

The Graphic Collection represents one of the most important collections of its kind in Austria. The collection consisting of drawings - including drawings from masters such as Dürer and Rembrandt, as well as the largest worldwide collection of Gothic building sketches, print graphics and photography - stills represents, as originally conceived, a unique illustrative material of the entire western history of art. Moreover, this collection reflects both the history of the Academy, as well as art and art politics since the start of the 18th century, since the largest part of the collection was directly used in the training of artists.

Both collections are the property of the Republic of Austria and together with xhibit, the space for the presentation of contemporary artwork, represent the central facilities for collecting and exhibiting at the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna.

The official mission of the Paintings Gallery and the Graphic Collection consists in particular of:

• The systematic extension of the already existing collection, as well as the development of new collections,
• The state-of-the-art examination of the collections in respect of their state of preservation, and taking appropriate measures for restoration and protection,
• The presentation of selected objects from the collection by permanent and temporary exhibitions to the public,
• The categorising, management and cataloguing of the inventory,
• The publication of academic papers,
• The support of university faculty in teaching and the development of the arts.

The following duties are required from the Director:

• The academic-artistic as well as the overall administrative running of both organization units, as well as representing them in public,
• The general coordination and strategy development in terms of scholarship and the evolution of the collection,
• The organization of exhibitions and education programmes, which in future should appeal to an increased number of young persons and/or persons coming from a non-traditional background,
• Organization and human resources development,
• The strategic development of both the Paintings Gallery and the Graphic Collection, particularly in relation to the programming of xhibit, also in their national and international positioning in the public awareness.

We are looking for a team-orientated individual with suitable training and, accordingly, outstanding professional qualifications, who views the communication of the cultural and social meaning of art as part of a comprehensive mandate for the collection and presentation of art.

Conditions of Employment

• Completed university degree preferably in the fields of art or cultural studies,
• Extensive knowledge of history of art and theory of art with emphasis on the core areas of in the Paintings Gallery and Graphic Collection, as well as relevant academic background and publications,
• Prior leadership of a museum or a comparable art or cultural institution of a corresponding dimension to the collections of the Academy,
• Verifiable experience in the conceptual development, organization and implementation of exhibitions,
• The development of innovative concepts for the presentation, communication and expansion of both collections,
• Verifiable experience in the use of business protocols , as well as in fundraising ,
• Excellent knowledge of German and English, further knowledge of other languages will be considered an advantage.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Experience with art universities, art collectors and sponsors, as well as the media,
• Experience in human resources management, as well as advanced abilities in communication and inclusion,
• Experience in the implementation of European and non-European team projects.

The gross monthly salary according to the collective bargaining agreement for university employees in group V is currently Euro 3.428,40. Depending on qualifications and prior experience the actual salary may exceed the level prescribed by the collective bargaining agreement.

Besides the necessary documents (curriculum vitae, certificates of education as well as work testimonials and references), the applicant should also include a statement on how she or he fulfils the above-mentioned qualifications/conditions of employment. Furthermore, a brief paper is required in which the applicant outlines her/his plans for the future development of the Paintings Gallery and Graphic Collection.

The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna intends to increase the number of women in all areas of staff, particularly in managerial, scientific and artistic staff positions. Therefore, the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna greatly encourages qualified women to apply. In the event that several applicants are equally qualified, women will be the preferred candidates. The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna is committed to implementing anti-discriminatory measures in its personnel policies. Applicants will not be reimbursed for travelling and accommodation expenses incurred as a result of their participation in the application process.

Interested candidates are invited to send following the link