We safeguard
world-class treasures
AT Bund,
based on B 3
For the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, with their exhibitions at the Humboldt Forum, the position of a
Museum Director (m/f/d)
is to be filled. The Ethnological Museum (EM) and the Museum of Asian Art (AKu), with their collections, archives, and other research infrastructure, are located on the research campus in Dahlem and present their exhibitions at the Humboldt Forum in the center of Berlin. The Humboldt Forum brings together four partners: Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Foundation City Museum Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, and the Humboldt Forum Foundation at the Berlin Palace. Through exhibitions, events, and digital offerings, it fosters exchange and diversity of voices. It is a place of encounter that connects differences and enables new insights into the world of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Your tasks
As the director, you are responsible for managing the EM/AKu with 120 employees at the Dahlem Research Campus, as well as overseeing the museum tasks of the EM/AKu at the Humboldt Forum. You play a key role, together with the partners at the Humboldt Forum, in the ongoing development of this location into a forward-looking institution. In addition to your duties as museum director, you are also involved at the management level at the Humboldt Forum.
You will focus on successfully implementing the following:
- conceptual, strategic, and structural development of the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art into modern museum institutions with a clear vision for the future
- continuous development of permanent exhibitions in close cooperation with representatives from source countries and communities of origin
- programming of temporary exhibition spaces with international, interdisciplinary, innovative, and collaborative exhibitions in cooperation with the Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace and supporting the Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace with special exhibitions
- responsibility for the program accompanying the exhibitions of both museums (events) at the Humboldt Forum
- establishing and deepening national and international networks and collaborations with museums, universities, and other cultural and scientific institutions
- establishing and expanding formats for transcultural cooperation with so-called source communities
- provenance research in the colonial context and sensitive, constructive handling of restitution questions
- implementing a contemporary audience and outreach strategy
- responsibility for finances, including fundraising for third-party funds
- promoting staff development
Your profile
- a completed university degree (Bachelor, Master, Magister/Magistra, Diplom univ., or an equivalent qualification) in a field related to the collections and themes of the State Museums Berlin at the Humboldt Forum; comparable qualifications, such as practical experience or other acquired expertise, will also be considered and recognized
- several years of leadership experience with interdisciplinary teams, combined with a cooperative and inclusive leadership style
- experience in working with source communities
- experience with special exhibitions
- economic acumen and cost awareness
- strong national and international networking with similar institutions, academic institutions, and the scientific community
- experience in successful fundraising for third-party funds
- excellent written and spoken English, knowledge of another modern foreign language is desirable
- if German language skills are lacking, a willingness to learn German is expected
We offer you
- collaboration in the largest cultural institution in Germany and one of the most significant worldwide
- diverse tasks with great creative freedom
- shaping the cultural scene in Berlin
- job ticket with employer contribution
- annual subsidy of €100 for health promotion offerings
- various opportunities for further training and professional development
- a salary outside the tariff system based on the principles of the federal regulations, aligned with salary group B 3 of the Federal Salary Act (BBesO)
We encourage and welcome
- actively a culture of appreciation
- equal opportunities and diversity
- applications from all people, regardless of age, gender, nationality, cultural and social background, religion or worldview, disability, or sexual identity
- applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as people with migration and refugee backgrounds
- applications from people with severe disabilities and those with equivalent status, who will be given special consideration when equally qualified
Questions about the field of activity
Mr. Prof. Dr. Parzinger
+49 30 266 41 1401
Questions about the application procedure
Mrs. Dr. Lang
+49 030 266 411 600
Your application contains
- reference number: SMB-EM/AKu-1-2025
- cover letter
- curriculum vitae
- exam certificates or diplomas
- work references or details of two personal references
- list of publications
Your personal data will be stored and processed in the course of the application process. For more information: https://www.preussischer-kulturbesitz.de/en/services/data-privacy.html
