Jobs

Overview

Since World Monuments Fund (WMF) was founded over half a century ago, it has been a groundbreaking organization conserving in an innovative way the world's irreplaceable treasures — architectural and cultural sites that span the history of human civilization.

Cultural heritage sites are under constant attack by time, neglect, natural forces, and human actions. Preserving this heritage has from the beginning been the principal mission of WMF—working with local partners around the globe to provide financial and technical support for preservation, restoration, and long-term sustainability of these sites.

In continuing this legacy of a pioneering, entrepreneurial, and ambitious spirit, WMF seeks a new Vice President of Programs to craft and implement forward looking projects, identify emerging trends, explore new frontiers in heritage, and create opportunities for communities around the world through preservation of iconic sites and monuments.

Our Activities as executed:

Physical Conservation
WMF is dedicated to working at the highest international standards to conserve exceptional works of historic architecture and cultural heritage sites. Our goal is to ensure that endangered sites have a long-term future and that these places are fully integrated into the social fabric of their local communities.

Responding to the Unexpected
Earthquakes. Floods. Wars and revolutions. Whether natural or man-made, disasters cannot be predicted or foreseen. But once they occur, WMF is prepared to respond quickly and decisively to assess damage to sites that are iconic to communities, undertake emergency conservation, and help develop plans for recovery in coordination with our local partners.

Generating Awareness, Inspiring Action
As much as WMF has accomplished, more remains to be done to act as a voice of vigilance around the world. WMF advocacy programs such as the World Monuments Watch raise awareness of the importance of heritage preservation for people around the globe, today and in the future.

Fostering Sustainable Communities
WMF works with local partners to help foster the economic, technical, and social infrastructures necessary to create opportunities for the present and preserve sites well into the future. When local resources are lacking, WMF assembles teams of international specialists to conduct pilot projects, develop training programs, and plan for the long-term stewardship of sites.

Sharing Knowledge, Teaching Skills
Many of the skills that were used to build the world’s treasures are also in need of preservation. There is a widespread and growing need for craftspeople and professionals who can both revive lost arts and apply modern methods. By incorporating capacity building training programs into many of our projects, we seek to ensure longevity and stability.

Strategic Direction
For this newly-created position, WMF seeks a compelling leader who will bring the mission to new prominence and a rigorous thinker who can champion excellence and execute on that vision.

WMF is at the forefront of forging the nexus of conservation and social impact. Heritage is a dynamic element of the built and social fabric of communities and plays a role in advancing the quality of life of communities surrounding it.

Through cultural heritage, WMF and its local partners address some of the most important issues of our time: the impact of climate change, human migration, encroaching urbanization, and violent conflicts. By creating new programs around the world that preserve monuments and culturally important sites at the highest standards, WMF aims to create empowering opportunities for local communities.

Responsibilities
Vice President of Programs will report to Bénédicte de Montlaur, CEO. He/she is responsible for directly managing a New York-based staff of six and an international staff of nine, supplemented by local hires, consultants, and institutional partners, depending on the projects.

Strategic Leadership 

Initiatives 
Assure, with the CEO and senior management, that the organization executes a long-range strategy that makes consistent and timely progress toward fulfilment of mission. 

Management and Administration 

Location and Compensation 

WMF is located in New York City (NYC). The successful candidate is expected to work in the NYC offices and to travel as the job requires. It is anticipated that an attractive compensation package including competitive salary, health coverage, contribution to a 403(b) and four weeks of vacation will be offered.  Legal authorization to work in the United States is required.

The Successful Candidate 

He or she is likely to have: 

For Confidential Consideration: 

Kindly email a letter of interest and resume to JOBS@WMF.ORG

Position Summary

Since World Monuments Fund (WMF) was founded over half a century ago, it has been a groundbreaking organization conserving in an innovative way the world's irreplaceable treasures — architectural and cultural sites that span the history of human civilization.

World Monuments Fund seeks qualified candidates for the position of VP of Communications. This person is a thoughtful communicator responsible for both the strategy and execution of all marketing, public relations, and communications activity in support of World Monuments Fund’s highest priority initiatives and to generate awareness about cultural heritage priorities. This position is a high-impact role that will work with leadership to integrate sophisticated communications, storytelling, marketing, and fundraising support to enable the next five years of organizational growth and impact.

Responsibilites

Vice President of Communications will report to Bénédicte de Montlaur, CEO. He/she is responsible for directly managing a New York-based staff comprised of a Creative Director, Public Engagement Associate, Digital Associate and Part-time Archivist.

The incumbent will provide:
Strategic Leadership by serving on the Executive Team as an essential communication strategist and storyteller for WMF, actively participating in strategic planning, and routinely providing input on cross-department matters.

Communication Strategy centered on raising awareness on the importance of cultural heritage by developing and operationalizing a comprehensive, 360 plan for how the communications team will best serve the needs of the organization. Oversee owned, earned, and paid communications channels, including traditional PR/media relations, social media, website, email marketing, paid digital marketing, and all digital and printed content. Strengthen and manage brand identity and brand voice to grow awareness of the organization and drive thought leadership in the field of cultural heritage.

Internal Collaboration by partnering with Programmatic and Development staff to co-create, amplify, and elevate their messages and achieve goals, including fundraising, advocacy and government relations, and strategic initiatives.

Management & Administration by leading, developing, and growing the Communications department

Activities as Executed:

Media Relations

• Maintain and utilize strong relationships with journalists in the US and international markets to regularly secure earned media placements surrounding project and organizational news, including the biennial World Monuments Watch announcement
• Create and execute press strategies for major milestones or announcements, including writing press releases and pitches, building targeted short and long lead press lists, and coordinating interviews and sites visits/materials
• Act as clearinghouse for incoming media requests for interviews and images
• Crisis Communications
• Lead nimble and timely communications planning and response efforts to position WMF as a thought leader during newsworthy moments of crisis or global attention, including earned media placement, op-ed drafting and placement, and digital strategy
• Plan and execute crisis communications efforts when needed to maintain WMF’s strong reputation.

Public Programming

• Work with CEO and staff to plan and design a yearly public programming strategy that drives brand awareness, grows our audience, provides opportunities for member engagement, and creates meaningful partnerships
• Define cadence and branding of WMF’s program series, develop network of venue and organizational partners, identify and secure compelling topics and speakers, and employ 360 marketing and communications efforts to make programs successful and well-attended

Social Media and Digital Marketing

• Oversee social media strategy and day-to-day implementation with an emphasis on maintaining brand voice and identity, growing our digital communities, and increasing user engagement through low-cost or no-cost efforts
• Develop and implement paid marketing strategy across platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and
• Google Grant AdWords, that drives multi-channel growth, traffic, engagement, and conversion
• Partner with Development to create, optimize, and maintain marketing funnel that generates and nurtures new leads through digital touchpoints to drive member/donor conversion and meet fundraising goals
• Oversee day-to-day management of wmf.org, including website additions, software patches, and design and UX updates (familiarity with Drupal a plus)
• Monitor Google Analytics for data learnings that can optimize wmf.org for improved user experience and conversion

Content Strategy

• Strategically tap into the compelling narratives of WMF’s work to produce a content strategy that powerfully communicates the impact of our projects across multiple platforms
• Act as a clearinghouse for incoming photography, videography, and written updates (solicited and unsolicited) from our active projects for content consideration
• Produce weekly digital features and monthly e-newsletter, including copywriting, asset selection, building, and deployment
• Produce annual glossy, 60-page Watch magazine, including concepting and storyboarding, copywriting, assignments (interviews, copywriting, photography), printing, and distribution.
• Produce videos for our active projects, our annual Hadrian Gala, and our biennial Watch announcement, including concepting and storyboarding, scripting, asset research, and editor management
• Partner with Development and Programs teams to maintain a comprehensive calendar of communications that informs content strategy and targets various stakeholders across the organization.
• Liaise with Development to conceptualize content of various fundraising appeals.
• Act as copy editor for the organization for all external materials, including invitations, fundraising campaigns, and Board materials
• Draft talking points, speeches for key leadership, and other communications as needed

The Successful Candidate

He or she is likely to have:

Location and Compensation
WMF is located in New York City (NYC). The successful candidate is expected to work in the NYC offices and to travel as the job requires. It is anticipated that an attractive compensation package including competitive salary, health coverage, contribution to a 403(b) and four weeks of vacation will be offered. Legal authorization to work in the United States is required.

For Confidential Consideration
Please submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample of no more than 1,000 words to jobs@wmf.org. Only those whose applications are being considered will be contacted. No phone calls please.

World Monuments Fund is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. WMF is an at-will employer.

World Monuments Fund’s mission is to preserve the world’s architectural heritage of significant monuments, buildings, and sites. In partnership with local communities, funders, and governments, WMF seeks to inspire an enduring commitment to stewardship for future generations.

This position is a 12-month appointment located in Beijing – ideal start date February 1, 2020 but flexible.

CRAFT (Conservation Resources for Architectural Interiors/Furniture, and Training)

CRAFT is a training program with an emphasis on the conservation of fine furniture and historic interiors developed and jointly administered by the Palace Museum (PM) and Tsinghua University (TSU) in Beijing. It was established by the Palace Museum and World Monuments Fund as part of a collaborative program to conserve the Qianlong Garden (QLG) located in the Forbidden City with the goal of teaching modern conservation methodology and techniques, while also supporting traditional hand skills. China has a long history of furniture making and related craft work, and understanding this history is important to the conservation approaches taught at CRAFT.

The program admits a class of 10-14 students every two years. The current class began their studies in fall 2019. CRAFT students include selected staff members of the Palace Museum, Tsinghua University master’s degree candidates, other Tsinghua University students, and mid-career conservators from other Chinese museums with furniture collections and historic interiors. Students who participate as a part of the two-year master’s program at TSU earn a master’s degree in Architectural Conservation for Wood Structures and Historic Interiors. CRAFT students who are staff members of the Palace Museum or other Chinese museums receive a certificate of completion.

Overall Goals, Tasks and Responsibilities

Recruited from senior experts in the conservation field, the CIR will act as a liaison and educator for four key CRAFT audiences: enrolled students; visiting international faculty (1-2 per semester teaching intensive week-long seminars); craftsmen working on restoring the QLG; and the Qianlong Garden Task Force/management of the Palace Museum who are dedicated to advancing the conservation capacity of the Museum. The CIR will apply his/her knowledge and expertise to the conservation of furniture and historic interiors from the Qianlong Garden, and will create a learning environment conducive to training, mentoring, and supporting a new generation of conservators in China. The CIR will enhance an understanding of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with modern conservation practices and approaches, including applied conservation science, documentation, and imaging techniques.

To help maximize the expertise the CIR has to offer, the CIR will work with and mentor a PM-appointed local Conservator who will serve as a protégé for the CIR position. The local Conservator will also help the CIR to translate and document the CIR’s educational/academic activities described below and will work with the CIR to expand CRAFT’s conservation library.

The CIR will help advance the primary goals of CRAFT:

CRAFT Students

• To assist in the development and implementation of the hands-on (“studio”) portion of the CRAFT curriculum: CRAFT offers project-based learning that aims to advance hand-skills and conservation techniques that are needed for the care and conservation of Chinese furniture and historic interiors.
• To provide or supervise weekly studio training of CRAFT students in the Palace Museum CRAFT studio.
• To act as a mentor and resource for the CRAFT students in their individual work, always promoting the most appropriate conservation techniques for each situation.
• To supervise, evaluate and advise student performance with other faculty, including periodic examination and evaluation of CRAFT students.

Local Conservator

• To supervise or team teach with the local conservator specific techniques and concepts in both a studio and lecture format, core to the curriculum.
• To ensure that the sequence, coordination, and content of the courses systematically teaches the CRAFT curriculum, both at the Palace Museum and at Tsinghua University.
• To act as mentor to the local conservator teaching and assisting with the implementation of best practices in the studio as well as in the curriculum.

Craftsmen working on restoration of Qianlong Garden to transfer CRAFT solutions to QLG project

• To develop, as requested, conservation solutions/suggestions for sites or objects from the QLG as part of the CRAFT training program.
• To ensure that conservation standards taught at CRAFT are connected with the conservation work of external professionals working on the restoration/conservation of the furniture and interiors of the QLG. Because the CRAFT training program uses objects from the QLG for project-based learning, the CIR and students will adhere to best practices in the field, and to the highest possible conservation protocols and standards. The CIR will discuss conservation protocols with the responsible PM or PM QLG Task Force Staff and, if needed, guide outside craftsmen involved with the conservation work of the QLG.

Qianlong Garden Task Force/ Palace Museum Management

• To provide, as requested, an assessment to the Qianlong Garden Task Force of the work being undertaken by outside conservators/restorers/craftsmen working on the QLG. To make suggestions for ways to improve their work or make their work more compatible with international standards.
• To provide WMF/PM/TSU with suggestions on how to improve the CRAFT training program in the future and how to further develop the CIR position.

Anticipated Workload Description

• Two days a week dedicated to teaching and instructing CRAFT participants at the CRAFT studio in the Palace Museum or occasionally at TSU according to decisions made by the local CRAFT office. Individual student meetings and tutorials to be included as needed.
• Two days a week dedicated to working with the local conservator to plan current and future course work.
• Assist the local conservator with QLG conservation projects including CRAFT students whenever possible.
• In partnership with the local conservator, advise on the work of outside craftsmen/restorers on current best practices in the field and standards of work.
• Provide feedback to the Palace Museum on the quality and effectiveness of outside craftsmen’s work and suggestions for improvements as needed.
• Provide a brief monthly status report to WMF/PM/TSU on their work with the local conservator and the CRAFT training program with suggestions for any changes or improvements that will make the program more effective.

Stipend and Other Support

World Monuments Fund will provide the Conservator-in-Residence the following financial support:

• Stipend: Consultant fee for two academic semesters, paid to the CIR or his/her institutional employer and based on the level of experience
• Transportation: RT economy-plus airfare between CIR’s home city and Beijing, including visa fees
• Transportation: RT economy airfare to Hong Kong to meet Chinese visa requirements
• Lodging: One-bedroom apartment with kitchen, or the equivalent, in Beijing at TSU faculty housing including utilities and Wi-Fi connection; a larger apartment will be available for CIR’s bringing their family.

In addition, WMF provides the following support on-site in Beijing:

• Local Conservator, as mentioned above.
• Translation as needed for classroom and studio instruction
• Weekly meetings with WMF’s country representative, and Assistant Dean for CRAFT
• Reasonable local travel and petty cash funds for site visits to other local museums or training sites and for supplies and materials when needed.

Applicant

The successful applicant will be a well-trained, practicing hands on conservator. They will have a full understanding of furniture making and the materials involved. They will be able to teach basic woodworking.

They will have a deep knowledge of conservation science and conservation best practices and the ability to apply that knowledge to conservation challenges. They will be knowledgeable about structural repairs, surface cleaning, consolidation and loss compensation. They will be able to reach preventative conservation, documentation and photography. They will be familiar with microscopy and wood identification. They will enjoy teaching and mentoring young people. They will be collaborative with colleagues and able to adjust and adapt quickly to changes in the workplace and possess creative problem-solving skills. They should be adventurous and eager to learn as well as teach. Knowledge of Chinese a plus, but not required.

Organization

Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@wmf.org. Those applicants who are being considered will be contacted, no phone calls please.

World Monuments Fund is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.

World Monuments Fund’s mission is to preserve the world’s architectural heritage of significant monuments, buildings, and sites. In partnership with local communities, funders and governments, WMF seeks to inspire an enduring commitment to stewardship for future generations.

2020 GRADUATE INTERN – WMF/KNOLL MODERNISM PRIZE AND MODERN ARCHITECTURE INITIATIVE

The 2020 Graduate Intern will provide administrative, research, and program support for the World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize and the Modern Architecture Initiative.

In 2008, WMF launched the WMF/Knoll Modernism Prize with support from founding sponsor Knoll Inc., spotlighting exemplary projects which have preserved and restored modern buildings. Since then the Prize has been given five times, and is entering its sixth cycle. The primary responsibility of the Graduate Intern, reporting to the Program Manager, will be to provide support for the 2020 Prize process, working with other Program, Development, and Communications staff as needed for the development of materials related to the Call for Nominations for the 2020 Prize. In addition, the 2020 Graduate Intern will support WMF staff in the organization’s broader initiative to advocate for and conserve modern architecture.

This is a full-time, paid internship for a currently enrolled student. The duration of the internship will be 20-24 weeks, during January-June 2020 (some flexibility in start and end dates is possible).

This is not an entry-level position at World Monuments Fund, nor intended to lead to one.

World Monuments Fund is the leading independent organization devoted to saving the world’s treasured places. For 50 years, working in 100 countries, its highly skilled experts have applied proven and effective techniques to the preservation of important architectural and cultural heritage sites around the globe. Through partnerships with local communities, funders, and governments, WMF seeks to inspire an enduring commitment to stewardship for future generations.

Duties:

• Research and help identify new partnership opportunities for WMF’s Modern Architecture Initiative;
• Maintain, update, and help augment a database of contacts for the program;
• Help prepare the public launch of a Call for Nominations for the 2020 World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize;
• Carry out other administrative and communications tasks related to the program.

Skills and other qualifications:

• Exceptional research and writing skills;
• Demonstrated interest in cultural heritage conservation and/or allied fields (the arts, architecture, art history, urban planning, social studies, history, anthropology, international development);
• Currently enrolled students in a graduate degree program strongly preferred;
• Knowledge of foreign languages preferred;
• Attention to detail, organization skills, and work management skills;
• Ability to carry out tasks as assigned and communicate effectively with supervisor.

How to apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume, and one research/writing sample (examples: research paper, bibliography, studio project, poster) as e-mail attachments to jobs@wmf.org by 5 pm (EDT) on December 20, 2019. Cover letter length: one page strongly recommended.