Description
About the Morgan Library & Museum
A museum and independent research library located in the heart of New York City, the Morgan Library &Museum (“the Morgan”) began as the personal library of financier, collector, and cultural benefactor J. Pierpont Morgan. The Morgan offers visitors close encounters with great works of human accomplishment in a setting treasured for its intimate scale and historic significance. A global institution focused on the European and American traditions, the Morgan houses one of the world’s foremost collections of manuscripts, rare books, music, drawings, and ancient and other works of art. These holdings comprise a unique and dynamic record of civilization, as well as an incomparable repository of ideas and of the creative process from 4000 BC to the present.
In addition to serving as a venue for the exhibition of art, literature, and music, the Morgan is an important international research center, housing the Sherman Fairchild Reading Room and the Drawing Study Center, which offer direct access to rare material from the museum’s collections to scholars, artists, and writers. The Thaw Conservation Center is a world-class laboratory for the conservation and technical study of the Morgan’s holdings, and the Morgan’s rapidly growing digital archive is used by students and scholars the world over.
Through its educational and community outreach, which includes school programs, lectures, tours, concerts, film screenings, and other initiatives, the Morgan creates opportunities for visitors of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the collection and exhibitions. In fiscal year 2026, the Morgan’s public and educational programs reached more than 17,000 adults and children. In total, the Morgan hosted more than 400,000 visitors to its 150,000 square foot campus, which encompasses four architecturally and historically significant buildings: J. Pierpont Morgan’s Library (1906), the Annex (1928), the Morgan House (1852) and an addition designed by Renzo Piano (2006).
The Morgan has an annual operating budget of approximately $30 million with a staff of around 125 full-time and 75 part-time or seasonal employees.
More information about the Morgan is available at www.themorgan.org.
The Opportunity
The Morgan Library & Museum seeks an accomplished and mission-driven Director of Human Resources. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned HR executive to lead people strategy at one of New York City’s most distinguished cultural institutions, an organization whose collections and programs span more than 5,000 years of human creativity and achievement.
The Director of Human Resources will serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to senior leadership, shaping a workplace culture that reflects the Morgan's deep commitment to scholarship, engagement with its constituents, and audience development. With a small but dedicated HR team, the incoming leader will have the opportunity to build programs and systems that have a lasting impact on the employee and volunteer experience and the organization's long-term effectiveness. This position reports to the Morgan’s Chief Operating Officer.
This role demands both vision and operational excellence. The Director will bring a thoughtful, data-informed approach to workforce management, talent development, systems optimization, and organizational best practices, all while nurturing a collaborative and engaged community of professionals who are passionate about the Morgan's mission and well-informed about the Morgan’s activities and programming. For a leader who thrives at the intersection of people, strategy, and purpose, this position offers a meaningful and high-impact platform.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development
- Provides leadership for all Human Resources activities, maintaining alignment with the Morgan’s
strategic mission, vision, and values. - Develops strategic recommendations for senior leadership on a broad range of HR policies,
programs, and workforce issues. - Maintains up-to-date knowledge of employment law and regulatory changes at the federal, state,
and local levels, advising staff and ensuring compliance. - Gathers measurable people data and tracks metrics of success that align with the Morgan’s
mission and advance strategic goals.
Talent Acquisition, Development & Retention
- Oversees recruitment to ensure effective staffing alignment with organizational needs and goals.
- Identifies strategies to support staff retention and productivity, including programs that enhance
employee engagement and leadership development. - Working within the framework of a recently adopted compensation system and the organizational
budget, designs and implements competitive compensation and benefits packages to attract and
retain talent; works in partnership with an outside compensation consultant to review and utilize
market data; and maintains effective relationships with industry colleagues to inform HR work at
the Morgan. - Supports curatorial colleagues in selecting and hiring fellows; oversees the Morgan’s internship and volunteer programs
Employee Relations & Compliance
- Continually assesses the competitiveness and equity of Morgan programs and practices against
relevant industries, regions, and markets. - Leads an effective performance management process, equipping managers to engage in
constructive, ongoing feedback and coaching. - Mitigates legal risk through proactive training, clear systems, and processes for managing conflicts,
handling complaints, and investigating allegations of harassment or discrimination. - Ensures employee files and records are properly and securely maintained; oversees regular HR
audits. - Manages the organization’s relationship with its benefits broker.
HR Operations & Technology
- Designs and implements strategies to make effective use of HR technology, enabling managers
and employees to perform people-related transactions efficiently. - Manages HR-related budgeting and spending.
- Supervises and develops a team of two HR professionals across recruitment, benefits, employee
relations, compensation, and training. - Networks with external HR peer groups to gather benchmarking data and maintain knowledge of
trends and best practices.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Strategic Human Resources Leadership
The Director of Human Resources will bring a demonstrated ability to develop and implement HR strategies that align with the Morgan’s mission, vision, and values. This includes creating a positive and inclusive work culture, promoting accountability, and pursuing best practices across the breadth of the department’s activities. The ideal candidate should have experience in leading HR initiatives, managing conflicts, and making tough decisions.
Collaboration and Influence
The Director of Human Resources will possess the ability to build strong relationships with various stakeholders, including department heads, managers, and employees. This includes influencing others to adopt new processes and procedures, proactively identifying and solving for any points of friction, and facilitating communication across the organization. The ideal candidate should have excellent interpersonal skills, be able to navigate complex organizational dynamics, and have a strong ability to persuade and influence others.
Compliance and Risk Management
The Director of Human Resources will be able to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and organizational policies. This includes staying up to date on changing regulations, managing risk, and implementing processes to prevent errors or misconduct. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of employment law, be able to interpret policies and procedures, and have experience in conducting investigations and implementing disciplinary actions.
Operational Efficiency and Project Management
This leader will have the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and ensure timely completion of HR-related tasks. This includes developing processes for onboarding new employees, managing benefits and payroll, and ensuring that all HR-related functions are running smoothly. The ideal candidate should have experience in managing HR operations, be able to analyze processes and identify areas for improvement, and possess strong project management skills.
- In addition, strong candidates will offer:
Bachelor’s degree in any related field and a minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in human
resource operations, including oversight of recruitment, hiring, payroll, compensation, and benefits
administration and/or occupational analysis. Five (5) years minimum of supervisory experience as
it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. - Knowledge of employment laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Experience in a museum, arts and culture organization, or nonprofit setting is strongly preferred, as is interest in the Morgan’s collections and programs.
- Clear written and spoken communication skills.
- SHRM Senior Certification or other advanced HR certification is a plus.
- An affinity for technology, including experience with one or more HRIS platforms. Proficiency with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) is required.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $150,000 to$170,000 with a generous benefits package.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Stephen Milbauer and Tenley Bank. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
