Managing Director of Museum, Interpretation and Cultural Affairs

The Crazy Horse Memorial® campus encompasses approximately 1,200 acres within the Black Hills of South Dakota, a geography and sacred territory that has been the homeland of numerous Native American peoples for centuries. Located in southwestern South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, the Black Hills own a unique regional economy. The Crazy Horse Memorial® is a dynamic Monument honoring North American Indians. The implementation of the shared vision of Chief Henry Standing Bear and Korczak Ziolkowski continues to evolve during the first quarter of the 21st century. Much has been achieved in the seven decades since the project began. Currently, more than 600,000 people visit the Memorial each year to see the progress, and momentum continues in all aspects of the project.

Crazy Horse Memorial® seeks a leader who is passionate about the vision, mission, and values of this organization. Candidates should have deep respect for Native American cultures and heritage, both past and present. This individual has experience working in complex organizations which serve diverse constituencies. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in putting people at the center as new programs and exhibits are developed and thinking about the educational needs and interests of the audience first. This person seeks to work collaboratively and thrives on building new relationships.

This individual will demonstrate a career path of progressive leadership and management experience. They have experience leading and directing complex departments or organizations with varied internal and diverse external constituencies. The ideal candidate will have a background that includes high-level decision-making and implementing the best interpretive practices. This person has experience with the development and implementation of exhibitions and public programs that tell compelling stories and engage diverse audiences. Highly qualified candidates will have experience developing interpretive plans and supervising teams in informal learning organizations that hold collections. Candidates with prior experience working with Native people and collaborating on the interpretation of Native culture and communities are encouraged to apply.

Reporting to the Memorial’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) the Managing Director of Museum, Interpretation & Cultural Affairs (MDMICA) provides vision, leadership, and management to enhance the visitors’ experience site-wide with an initial focus on the interpretation, exhibitions, and programs of The Indian Museum of North America and The Native American Educational and Cultural Center at Crazy Horse Memorial.

The Indian Museum of North America® (Museum) is home to a large collection of art and artifacts reflecting the diverse histories and cultures of over 300 Native Nations. The Museum, designed to enrich the story being told in stone on the Mountain, presents the lives of American Indians and preserves Native Culture for future generations. Almost 90% of the art and artifacts have been donated by generous individuals, including many Native Americans.

The Native American Educational and Cultural Center® provides unique educational opportunities to enhance the visitors' experience at Crazy Horse Memorial. The Center provides hands-on activities facilitated by staff and features many different Native Artists providing instruction in American Indian history and culture. Native artists from throughout North America spend much of the summer on-site sharing their creativity, creating new works, and interacting with visitors.

$125,000-$150,000 annually