Director – Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College

TITLE: Director

ORGANIZATION: Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College

SALARY RANGE: $81,500 to $90,500, plus a comprehensive benefits package

Application materials received by 11:59 PM on April 12, 2026, will receive full consideration.

APPLY: https://tinyurl.com/CSWS-Director-Apply

POSITION SUMMARY

The Center of Southwest Studies invites applications for the position of Director who will lead one of Fort Lewis College’s most treasured academic and cultural assets. As a museum, archive, research library, and community gathering place, the Center supports student learning, faculty scholarship, research, community engagement, and the stewardship of expansive collections that reflect the Southwest’s many histories, cultures, and environments.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Director provides strategic leadership for the Center’s vision, operations, financial management, fundraising, and external relationships. This role collaborates closely with professional staff, advisory boards, campus partners, donors, and regional stakeholders to ensure the Center’s long-term sustainability, relevance, and impact.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND VISION

Provide overall leadership and direction for the Center, advancing its mission in alignment with Fort Lewis College’s strategic priorities.

Lead long-range planning for collections, exhibitions, programs, staffing, facilities, and public engagement.

Serve as the primary liaison to the Center’s campus and community advisory boards and work collaboratively with them to shape priorities and assess progress.

Represent the Center in campus-wide planning initiatives and external partnerships.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

Oversee the daily operations of the Center, balancing long-term planning with hands-on management.

Supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture.

Oversee student employment, internships, and fellowship programs, ensuring meaningful experiential learning opportunities.

Prepare required reports for the College, advisory boards, funders, and external agencies.

Collaborates with Center staff on facility oversight and accessibility.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET OVERSIGHT

Develop and manage the Center’s annual operating budget, including exhibitions, programs, collections care, and student opportunities.

Oversee purchasing, expenditures, and financial compliance in coordination with College finance offices.

Ensure responsible stewardship of donor-restricted and grant-funded accounts.

FUNDRAISING, GRANTS, AND DONOR STEWARDSHIP

Lead fundraising strategy and donor stewardship activities for the Center, including individual giving, foundation support, government grants, and special initiatives.

Serve as the primary point of contact with the Fort Lewis College foundation for all Center-related fundraising and donor stewardship.

Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, collectors, and funding partners.

Write and oversee grant proposals and manage grant-funded projects in collaboration with staff and partners.

COLLECTIONS STEWARDSHIP AND COMPLIANCE

Hold overall responsibility for compliance with state and federal regulations governing collections, including the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Collaborate with professional staff on collections policies, ethical standards, risk management, and long-term care.

Serve as a key contact for potential donors of archival materials and museum objects.

EXHIBITIONS, PROGRAMMING, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Collaborate with curatorial staff on long-range exhibition planning and public programming.

Support lectures, artist talks, educational programs, and community-based initiatives.

Maintain a visible public presence locally, regionally, and nationally as a representative of the Center and the College.

COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH

Oversee the Center’s communications and marketing strategy, including website content, digital outreach, and promotional materials.

Ensure public-facing communications align with College branding, accessibility standards, and institutional messaging.

Represent the Center at admissions, advancement, alumni, and community events.

Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIRED EDUCATION, SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree in anthropology, history, museum studies, Native American and Indigenous studies, public history, or a related field.

At least three years of leadership experience in a museum, archive, library, cultural institution, or related organization.

Demonstrated experience managing professional staff and complex operations.

Experience with budgeting and financial oversight.

Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant writing, or donor engagement.

Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Demonstrated commitment to inclusive practices and respectful collaboration with Indigenous communities and diverse stakeholders.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Five or more years of senior leadership experience in a cultural or educational institution.

Experience working with collections governed by NAGPRA.

Knowledge of the Southwest and its histories, cultures, and communities.

Experience in strategic planning, organizational development, or institutional growth.

Demonstrated success in cultivating long-term donor relationships.

REPORTS TO / SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Reports to the Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The Director provides direct supervision of the Center’s professional staff, including but not limited to archival, curatorial, and administrative personnel. The Director also oversees student employees, interns, fellows, and grant-funded project staff associated with the Center. The Director is responsible for hiring recommendations, performance evaluation, mentoring, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Moderate noise levels are typical of a professional office and public facility environment.

The position requires extended periods of sitting at a computer and frequent use of standard office equipment.

The role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and balance administrative, strategic, and public-facing responsibilities.

Evening and weekend work is required to support public programs, events, donor engagement, and community activities.

TRAVEL:

Travel is required for this position and may include:

Local and regional travel for meetings with donors, community partners, and Indigenous communities.

In-state and out-of-state travel to attend professional conferences, site visits, and meetings with peer institutions and funding agencies.

FLSA STATUS/ POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

Exempt, Full Time, 1.0 FTE

3-year Term (Full Year / 12 Month Position)

Typical Work hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Some evenings and weekends.

A complete application packet includes:

1. Cover letter addressing your interest and qualifications

2. Resume

3. Names and contact information for three current, professional references

Application materials received by 11:59 PM on April 12, 2026, will receive full consideration.

The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts

and pass a background check.