Andrew W. Mellon Chief Librarian, Frick Art Research Library - The Frick Collection

Location: New York, NY
Salary: $145,000 - $160,000 
Employment Term: Full-time
Employer Contact: Tory Clarke, Partner at Bridge Partners tory.clarke@bridgepartnersllc.com

The Organization:

Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, the Frick is known for its distinguished Old Master paintings and important works of European sculpture, works on paper and decorative arts The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings—which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century—have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. The Frick has undergone a comprehensive renovation and was open in a temporary home, Frick Madison, from 2020 through early 2024, while renovations were underway at the mansion on 70th Street. In addition to special exhibition galleries and education spaces, we have added enhanced visitor amenities and accessible spaces. The Museum and Art Research Library reopened to the public in April.

Overview

The Andrew W. Mellon Chief Librarian serves as a member of the Frick Collection’s leadership team, providing strategic direction to the Library team and overseeing the administration of all Library operations including: print and digital collection development and management, high quality public services, special collections, conservation and preservation, and digital initiatives. They are additionally externally-facing, responsible for the promotion of the Library’s significant collection of materials in collaboration with the Frick Collection Curators, Development, Social Media and Marketing teams. Success in this role will require a passion for research, art history and public access, combined with excellent people management and relationship-building skills, to ensure that the Library aligns with institutional priorities. 

Key Responsibilities 

Leadership & Strategy:

• Develop the vision and strategic direction for the Library as part of the Frick Collection, and guide its implementation.
• As a member of the Leadership Team, serve as an active participant in the Museum’s long-term financial and strategic planning.
• Attend and participate in Board of Trustee meetings, as appropriate.

Library Operations & Administration:

• Expand user base and continuously improve effective and efficient access to the Library’s collections and services.
• Ensure the continual improvement of library services, both for physical and digital access, for internal and external researchers, scholars and the public.
• Strategically advance the Library through the ongoing adoption of current digital practices.
• Develop and oversee the Library’s annual budget projections for library operations and monitor annual spending.
• Implement current and emerging library systems and information management standards, keeping abreast of relevant resources and technology to support the work of a 21st century research library.
• Oversee and participate in the development of Library policies and procedures.
• Ensure the highest level of legal, ethical and safety standards. 

External Relations:

• Build and maintain relationships nationally and internationally to further the Library’s reputation.
• Collaborate closely with the Frick Collection’s Development team to develop and steward gifts, including grants, made in support of the Library and Collection.
• Collaborate with Collection curators in the strategic development of in-house exhibitions and/or loan of Library materials to external exhibitions.
• Foster synergies between Library teams and Collection staff in the collaborative development of programming and other institutional initiatives.
• Communicate library initiatives to key stakeholders (Board of Trustees, donors, media, Library staff, Collection team etc.)
• Participate in industry associations and seminars, present at professional conferences to actively promote the Library’s collections and programs.

Team Management:

• Hire, mentor, develop, empower and supervise Library staff.
• Establish performance goals, conduct formal and informal evaluations, assess training needs and make recommendations for further staff development.
• Serve as the voice representing the Library team as part of the Frick Collection leadership team

Collection Management & Development:

• With the Associate Directors and team, formulate the Library’s acquisitions strategy.
• Oversee collection development budget, set priorities for resource allocation across Library collecting areas.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to proactively research and recommend acquisitions in alignment with collections policies. 

The Leader:

The ideal leader for this role will be a mission-driven and collaborative executive with a dedication to research, providing excellent customer service, and implementing programs aligned with the Frick’s mission and vision. Strong candidates for this role will possess a majority of the following experiences and attributes:

Experience:

• Ten (10) or more years of progressively increasing responsibility in a library management setting, including five (5) or more years of administrative management experience.
• Leadership experience gained directly in a museum, academic, special collections, or art research library/archive is beneficial. 
• Knowledge and understanding of library operations, policies, procedures, techniques, and ability to develop and plan library programs.
• Ability to demonstrate digital literacy from the end-user, administrative and strategic perspective, to enhance public access to the Library’s collections and research resources.
• Demonstrated experience in working with and managing library collection, archive and digital asset management systems.
• Knowledge of rights and reproductions policies and legal precedents for works in private collections.
• Awareness of current issues and trends in library and information science relevant to art libraries, special collections, and archives, including emerging technologies and scholarly communications.
• Experience managing change, developing strategic plans and managing their implementation.

Skills & Attributes:

• Confident leader who can pivot between long-term vision and day-to-day execution.
• Excellent relationship-builder, compelling communicator and advocate.
• Superior public-speaking and presentation skills; enjoys effectively engaging with board members, donors, staff, and other constituents.
• Thrives in a workplace with a high degree of transparency and communication.
• Strong cross-functional collaborator with the ability to effectively plan and direct the work of a multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff, to work effectively on common projects and goals.
• Excellent people leadership skills with a track record of empowering and amplifying a diverse group of professionals, including planning, and monitoring work assignments, evaluating work performance, and providing feedback on performance.
• Known for listening and building trust.
• Ability to prepare, justify, and/or administer a program budget to ensure cost effective support of programs and policies.
• Makes timely decisions based on solid information.
• Strong results-driven project management skills with the ability to effectively set priorities, monitor performance, execute on time, and multi-task.
• Respects and exemplifies the values of the Frick Collection in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Education:

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program
• Graduate or undergraduate study in field(s) related to the Museum’s/Library’s collections is desired. 

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary range is $145,000 - $160,000 per annum, commensurate with experience
• Benefits package that includes:
  • Generous vacation leave (25 days year one, 32 days thereafter)
  • Paid Family Leave o Health and dental insurance 
  • FSA accounts for commuting expenses o Employer paid life insurance, short term disability and lomg term disabilityTax deferred retirement savings plan – 403(b)
  • Defined benefit pension plan: vesting achieved at 5 years of service.
  • Retiree health benefits for those having achieved age 55 with 10 or more years of service.
• Employee Amenities
  • Seamless dining benefit/discount for employees working on-site.
  • Discount on Frick museum shop purchases.
  • Discounted Citi Bike membership plus discount on Fend brand bike helmets.

Workplace Culture:

At the Frick Collection, we pride ourselves on promoting an open and welcoming workplace culture that supports work-life balance. The Frick strives to provide our employees with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits in a beautiful and pleasant work setting, while offering an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art.

The Frick Collection provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to personal characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, or other characteristics protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Qualified candidates should submit their resume to:

Tory Clarke Partner, Bridge Partners tory.clarke@bridgepartnersllc.com

Priority will be given to applications submitted by January 9th 2026 although we will continue to receive and review applications until the position is filled..