The Grolier Club

The Grolier Club of New York City is a private club founded in 1884 to “foster the study, collecting, and appreciation of books and works on paper, their art, history, production, and commerce.”  The Club pursues this mission through an active program of exhibitions, lectures, member gatherings, virtual events, publications, and travel.  The heart of the Club is a research library comprising over 100,000 volumes on the art and history of the book.  The library actively acquires in its areas of focus and is a critical resource for collectors and scholars in book history.  While a member-driven and member-focused organization, the Club is also a 501c3 public charity: exhibitions and many programs are open to the public, as is the library by appointment. 

More information on the Club’s mission and governance is available at www.grolierclub.org.

The Grolier Club seeks to hire an Executive Director to build on its 140 years of history, and to work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees to ensure that the Club remains a leading player in a continually evolving bibliophilic community.

 

The Role of Executive Director

The Executive Director principally engages with four Club constituencies.  First, he or she manages the day-to-day operations of the Club, with responsibility for a full- and part-time staff of 17 people.  Individual senior staff positions are responsible for exhibitions, publications, the library, the physical maintenance of the clubhouse, operations and finance, and the Executive Director is responsible for establishing objectives, delegating authority, coaching execution, and assessing performance of these staff members, and ensuring effective administration of the Club.

Second, the Club is governed by a volunteer board of 21 trustees, with whom the Executive Director meets formally at monthly board meetings, and less formally and more frequently as warranted.  The Board of Trustees, or Council, is responsible for overseeing the general operations of the Club’s various activities, while setting, in collaboration with the Executive Director, the strategic direction of the Club.  The Executive Director reports to the Council, and the Council assesses the Executive Director’s performance on an annual basis.

The Club is a member-focused enterprise, and members are present in the Club throughout the week for planned events or informal gatherings with fellow club members.  At present the membership comprises about 200 resident members and 600 non-resident members.  The membership is the cultural core and economic engine of the Club, and the Executive Director is expected to engage and interact regularly with this important third constituency.

Finally, the Executive Director represents the Grolier Club in the wider world of bibliophily, interacting and collaborating with sister institutions throughout the Republic of Books, while acting as an ambassador for the Club throughout the bibliophilic world.

 

The Responsibilities of The Executive Director

The Executive Director of the Grolier Club acts as the Chief Executive Officer of an innovative and entrepreneurial cultural institution.  Among other responsibilities, he or she …

• Manages the on-site and day-to-day operations of the Club, including the management of full-time and part-time staff.  At present, the Executive Director has five direct reports.
• Oversees all Human Resources functions, with responsibility for developing, updating, and implementing policies and procedures, including hiring, staff development, performance reviews, and performance improvement plans.
• Promotes a culture of high performance, service excellence, integrity, and continuous improvement that values learning, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the organization.  Critical components include the leading, coaching, and development of the senior management team, and mentoring of staff at all levels.
• Executes both internal (operational) and external (member-facing) technology initiatives.
• Collaborates with the Librarian and Assistant Librarian to maintain and grow the Club’s collections.
• Works with the House Manager to ensure the maintenance and upkeep of the clubhouse at 47 East 60th Street.
• Collaborates with the Council to establish the strategic direction of the Club.
• Meets with the Council monthly to provide an update on Club operations.
• Manages the finances of the Club, in cooperation with the Council and Finance Director, to include budgeting, and financial oversight.
• Builds relationships with Club members and other constituents within the bibliophilic community to foster development opportunities.
• Works with the Council and Special Events committee to plan and execute in person and virtual member events.
• Engages with the Council, Exhibitions Committees and Exhibitions Manager to plan and install 3 exhibitions per year in the Club’s main gallery, and 4 exhibitions per year in the members’ gallery.
• Works with the Council, Publications Committee and Publications Manager to produce standalone publications and catalogues related to the Club’s exhibition schedule.
• Attends as many Club functions as possible to foster relationships with members and guests.
• Represents the Grolier Club through attendance and participation at various bibliophilic gatherings and events.

 

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this position has demonstrated experience collaborating with governing bodies to develop and execute strategic initiatives, while inspiring and leading various constituencies in pursuit of these objectives.  Demonstrated leadership and administrative experience is essential.  The library is the heart of the Club; knowledge of best practice in research libraries is necessary.  She or he will have unimpeachable integrity, a healthy sense of humor, a collaborative spirit, enthusiastic curiosity, and a shared commitment to the Grolier Club’s mission, people, and prominence in the Republic of Books.

 

The Search Process

Initial screening of applicants will begin immediately, with a second round of in person interviews taking place over the course of the spring and summer.  The timing of the successful candidate’s start date is flexible depending on individual circumstances.  The salary range for this role is $150,000-210,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications, and is accompanied by retirement and healthcare benefits.

The Grolier Club is an equal opportunity employer, and strongly encourages individuals of all backgrounds and cultures to consider this leadership position.  The Grolier Club’s commitment to inclusivity encompasses, but is not limited to, diversity in nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability.

Please submit detailed expressions of interest, along with a CV to:

Ms. Nancy Boehm, President
ID@grolierclub.org
The Grolier Club
47 East 60th Street
New York, NY  10022

Apply online here

Submit specified application materials to ID@grolierclub.org.