Director of Human Resources

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is an exceptional opportunity to join an organization that values creativity, teamwork, collaboration, and inclusion, and where you will be surrounded by a diverse, talented and enthusiastic group of colleagues. The Director of Human Resources plays a key role in ensuring that the museum’s mission – to celebrate, preserve, and promote Asian and Asian American art and cultures for local and global audiences and serve as a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas, inviting collaboration, and fueling imagination to deepen understanding and empathy among people of all backgrounds – is fostered through a workforce that is united by this common goal and a dedication to excellence.

ABOUT THE ASIAN ART MUSEUM

The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is the world’s leading museum dedicated to connecting global audiences with Asian and Asian American art and culture. With a collection of 20,000 objects spanning over 6,000 years — from ancient sculptures to contemporary installations — the museum offers a powerful lens into the depth and diversity of Asian cultures. A vibrant center for public engagement, the museum is a place where history and the present meet to inspire a more connected future.

Originally opened in 1966 in a wing of the former M.H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park, the Asian Art Museum now resides in San Francisco’s Civic Center. It occupies the city’s former Main Library — a landmark Beaux Arts structure transformed in 2003 by architect Gae Aulenti into a vibrant cultural destination. In 2020, the museum expanded with the addition of the 8,500-square-foot Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Pavilion for major special exhibitions — an especially stunning space for contemporary art — along with the East West Bank Art Terrace, both designed by Kulapat Yantrasast.

The museum is co-governed by the City and County of San Francisco Asian Art Commission, which is responsible for determining the museum’s policy and administration, and the Asian Art Museum Foundation of San Francisco (a non-profit, 501c3), established as the museum’s private fundraising arm shortly after its founding. Combined, the Board of Commissioners and Trustees comprises 52 dedicated individuals. The museum employs nearly 200 full and part-time staff and has approximately 130 volunteers. Approximately two-thirds of the staff are employed by the Asian Art Museum Foundation of San Francisco and the other one-third by the City and County of San Francisco. The Asian Art Museum’s current operating budget is approximately $33 million.

THE POSITION

The Director of Human Resources is responsible for planning, directing and overseeing all functions and operations related to the museum’s human resources programs, including recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, employee and labor relations, employee benefits, workers’ compensation, employee training and development, performance management, and human resource-related policies and practices. As a member of the senior management team, the Director of Human Resources also plays a key role in setting the long-range planning and overall management of the museum. This position serves as an internal consultant to the organization's management team, managers and employees on people issues that affect performance and organizational relationships. In addition, this position will select, develop, evaluate and lead a team of human resources professionals to provide an effective and responsive internal consulting group. The Director of Human Resources will report to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and oversee a team of four. This position is employed by the Asian Art Museum Foundation of San Francisco.

Examples of duties include, but are not limited to:

• Participating in and having major responsibilities for the development and implementation of the museum’s strategic and long-range planning efforts, goals and objectives, budget, and programs consistent with the museum’s mission statement.
• Serving as a resource for executives, managers and supervisors; providing recommendations to the museum’s leadership team on human resources matters; providing guidance and assistance to managers on matters of employee development, employee performance, and discipline.
• Directing employment activities including the development of outreach programs concerning specific recruiting needs; assuring qualified employees are recruited and hired for museum positions with a lens for diversity and inclusion; taking an active part in recruitment and selection efforts including developing effective recruitment strategies, managing the testing processes, and ensuring that all candidates are provided with an equal opportunity.
• Preparing for and participating in collective bargaining contract negotiations, contract administration, and responses to grievances. Evaluating human resources operations and activities; recommending improvements and modifications; preparing various reports on operations and activities; considering resource availability; establishing timelines as needed.
• Effectively leading and supervising assigned staff, including the selection, motivation, development, training and evaluation of staff.

Priorities for the Director of Human Resources Include:

• Providing innovative, responsive and strategic leadership and vision for the museum’s Human Resources Department.
• Fostering open communication and a collaborative relationship with representatives of the Asian Art Museum Foundation of San Francisco and City and County of San Francisco’s various bargaining groups.
• Continuing the museum’s successful track record of ensuring a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.
• Supporting, coaching and mentoring the professional development of staff and implementing a performance management system.

For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus. To be considered for this opportunity please apply directly to Bouche Law, PC