Director of the Folklife Center

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Working Title Director of the Folklife Center Type of Position Staff - Full Time Department Community Programs Appointment Length July - June (12 mo) Benefits Eligible? Yes Published Salary Requested Part-Time Staff Hours NA F.T.E. 1.00 Grant Funded Position? No If temporary (or grant funded) position, indicate ending date Description of Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Director of the Folklife Center provides leadership and oversight for the development, coordination, and delivery of folk and traditional arts programming that celebrates and preserves West Virginia's cultural heritage. This position oversees the Center's exhibitions, collections, archives, publications, and educational programming while fostering meaningful partnerships with community members, cultural organizations, university departments, and external stakeholders.

The Director is responsible for the Center's daily operations, staff supervision, budget management, fundraising initiatives, and stewardship of its facilities and collections, ensuring that the Center advances its mission through community engagement, scholarship, preservation, and public programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops and offers folk and traditional arts programming in collaboration with community members and groups
• Coordinates and directs the work of student workers and staff in the completion of special projects for the Center's programming;
• Oversees curation, creation and installation of changing exhibitions and displays; updates permanent displays as needed;
• Coordinates with staff to oversee archival research and scholarly inquiries;
• Writes, edits, and publishes related folklife/folklore works on behalf of and for the Center, including press releases, exhibition text, website copy, social media copy, and more;
• Oversees the publication of Traditions, the annual WV folklore journal;
• Recommends and manages all protocol and programmatic policies;
• Oversees budget development and monitoring for the Center and ensures careful

stewardship of the Center's financial and physical assets;

• Selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates the professional and administrative staff

assigned to the Center

• Collaborates with other university departments and offices to promote programs, exhibitions, and archives;
• Seeks out opportunities for community collaboration, engagement, and promotion;
• Collaborates with the College of Liberal Arts, Office of Sponsored Programs, and Fairmont State Foundation on internal and external fundraising, including grants;:
• In coordination with physical plant, oversees repairs and maintenance of and plans for enhancements to the Center building and grounds;
• Coordinates with Folklife Center staff, catering, and physical plant on event set-up;
• Oversees the archiving and curation of the Center's collections;
• Oversees proper storage of the Center's collections;
• Works with the advisory committee toward creating a quality collection that best

embodies the Center's mission statement;

• Oversees equipment, supplies, and materials: ensures that equipment is functional and

that supplies and materials used in classes, workshops, collections management,

exhibitions, and Folklife Center programs are sufficient.

• Works with other campus stakeholders to coordinate programming and events.

Minimum Required Education

A Bachelor's Degree or higher in museum management, history, folklore, or a related field.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

N/A

Minimum Required Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in program development and facilities management.

Preferred Qualifications

A Master's Degree or higher in museum management, history, folklore, or a related field.

A track record of leadership and experience coordinating and fundraising with local

community groups.

Posting Detail Information

Requisition Number 2027035SP Number of Vacancies 1 Anticipated Hire Date ASAP Position End Date (if temporary) Job Open Date 10/21/2026 Job Close Date 11/04/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicants Advertising Summary Quicklink for Posting https://www.fairmontstatejobs.com/postings/12063

Job Duties

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• Certification/License
• Transcript #1
• Transcript #2
• Transcript #3