Chief Operating Officer

ABOUT THE MODERN ART MUSEUM OF FORT WORTH 

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth was first established in 1892, making it the oldest museum in Texas and one of the oldest in the western United States. Founded by a group of forward-thinking women as the Fort Worth Public Library and Art Gallery in downtown Fort Worth, its mission evolved through the years. Consequently, the Museum has undergone several name changes and been housed in various buildings over the decades. Although the word “modern” only became part of the museum’s name in 1987, it has always been dedicated to the art of our time. 

The Museum’s first permanent building was designed by the Bauhaus-trained architect Herbert Bayer and opened in 1954. The Cultural District began to develop around the site over the next few years, and with the arrival of new institutions such as the Amon Carter Museum and Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern modified its focus to international art from World War II to the present. In 2002, the Modern relocated within the Cultural District to a world-renowned building designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando. 

The Japanese architect designed an elegant concrete, glass, and steel building with 53,000 square feet of soaring, light-filled gallery space and landscaped grounds with outdoor sculptures. The building features a reflecting pond, theater, education center, gift shop, and café, creating a thriving gathering place for the community and beyond. Acclaimed for its concrete walls and glass sheath, with pavilions that seem to float on an expansive reflecting pond, the building allows for major exhibitions, insightful educational programming, and the most comprehensive displays of the Museum’s collection in its history.

The Modern is a center of lifelong learning and exchange, serving as a true “gathering space” in the city’s Cultural District. The Modern’s programs include tours, lectures by leading figures in the art world, youth and adult classes, art camps, workshops, and a range of small-group studio and gallery programs led by the Museum’s educators, docents, and community artists. “First Fridays” typically attract 500 to 600 people to the Modern and the Tuesday Lecture Series in the spring and fall provides special opportunities to entertain patrons, artists, and other supporters with intimate events. Similarly, opening weekend receptions and dinners are well attended, drawing many for their chic and festive atmosphere. The Modern also presents critically acclaimed first-run films and partners with other local arts organizations to offer music, dance, and theater.

In July 2025, The Modern welcomed Halona Norton-Westbrook as Director, succeeding Marla Price, who had served the Museum for more than three decades. Norton-Westbrook has spent her first months becoming acquainted with the Board, other major patrons, and the Museum’s team, as well as the Fort Worth community members who have been supporters of the Modern for years. She is focused on developing and implementing a strategic plan to grow the Museum’s stature and audience both locally and internationally.

The Collection

The collection of the Modern is one of the primary catalysts to fulfill the Museum’s Mission: to collect and present international art dated after 1940 and create a welcoming environment for its public appreciation. Among all its activities, the art collection is at the heart of the institution. The Modern’s collection holdings now comprise approximately 3,000 works of art, which reflects the dynamic work of the Museum acquisition program, the efforts to enrich and diversify artistic perspectives represented in the collection, and provide visitors the opportunity to view, study, question, and learn from the most significant art and artist of our time. Works encompass painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, installation, film, and video and include art from Modern masters such as Francis Bacon, Dan Flavin, Philip Guston, Ellsworth Kelly, Roy Lichtenstein, Agnes Martin, Joan Mitchell, Robert Motherwell, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Andy Warhol and can appear alongside some of the internationally recognized artists living and working today such as Mark Bradford and Sean Scully and popular favorites such as KAWS and Takashi Murakami. 

A distinguishing feature of the Modern’s collection is its in-depth concentrations of work by a number of significant modern and contemporary artists. These bodies of work enable an understanding of each artist’s creative evolution and are a testament to the Museum’s close relationships with individual artists and their estates, and the Museum’s belief in the benefits of such collaborations. The collection and acquisition program are made possible by the generosity of donors and partners, past and future, committed to internationally acclaimed art and artists and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

The Building

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth’s building is located in Fort Worth’s celebrated Cultural District, directly opposite the Kimbell Art Museum, designed by Louis I. Kahn, and near the Amon Carter Museum, designed by Philip Johnson. Ando’s design embodies the pure, unadorned elements of a modern work of art. Described as one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Art Museums” by Travel + Leisure magazine,“ with...”pavilions that seem to float on the water...” (Condé Nast Traveller), the Modern was named the “Best-designed Building” in Texas by Architectural Digest in 2019. 

Massive planar walls of concrete boldly express the building’s basic form. Forty-foot-tall transparent walls of glass framed in metal surround the concrete, providing magnificent areas from which to view the building, the large reflecting pond, the landscaped grounds, and outdoor sculpture.

The desire to use diffused and reflected natural light within the gallery spaces was a major influence on the building’s design. Immense cantilevered cast-concrete roofs shade the building’s exterior and accommodate the introduction of natural light into the galleries through sophisticated systems of continuous linear skylights and clerestory windows. Supporting the concrete roof slabs are five forty-foot-tall concrete, Y-shaped columns. These columns are an outstanding architectural and engineering achievement, and have become an icon of the Museum.

For more information on the Modern, please visit the Museum’s website: www.themodern.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Modern Art Museum (The Modern) is seeking a highly experienced and strategic leader to fill the newly-created role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). As a key member of the museum’s leadership team, the COO will work closely with the Director to develop and implement operational and financial strategies that align with the museum’s mission and vision. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned professional to join a world-class museum and contribute to its continued success and growth.The COO will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of museum operations, including:

• Developing a deep understanding of the museum’s Strategic Plan and partnering with the Director to transform it into discrete actionable projects with budgets, assigned staff, and resources

• Directing and coordinating campus operation’s planning, finance, information technology, earned income, security, facilities, and implementation of policies in support of the Museum

• Assessing department functions, priorities, and processes to ensure efficiency, excellence, and alignment with museum best practices and AAM accreditation standards

• Spearheading long-term strategic and financial planning of the museum and continually monitoring financial performance

• In partnership with the Director of Human Resources, ensuring that the museum has effective and appropriate Human Resource policies and operations at the highest ethical standard

• Contributing to strategic planning, planning for the master site plan, policymaking, and organizational management of the museum

• Coordinating legal oversight in all museum areas and employment issues with Director, CFO, and counsel

• Demonstrating a commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and best practice through respectful communication and cooperation with others always

Key Responsibilities

• Providing strategic leadership and management acumen to guide cross-functional teams in achieving institutional goals

• Overseeing Campus Operations, including Security and Facilities/Engineering, Information Technology, Finance, and Earned Revenue

• Developing and implementing operational and financial strategies for the museum’s annual operating budget

• Collaborating with the Director to lead the planning and overall management of the museum

• Guiding the development and implementation of short- and long-term strategic initiatives

• Fostering a culture of inclusion and best practice throughout the institution

• Motivating, inspiring, and engaging staff around a shared vision

• Encouraging and celebrating the talents of team members while holding each accountable to mutually agreed-upon goals

• Managing time efficiently, analyzing and solving problems collaboratively

• Exhibiting excellent interpersonal skills, being systematic, detail-oriented, patient, a self-starter, and able to work well under pressure

CANDIDATE PROFILE

While it is understood that no one candidate will bring every desired skill, characteristic, and experience, the following offers a reflection of the ideal candidate profile. 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this role will possess an advanced degree in a relevant field, such as museum studies, art history, or business administration, with a minimum of 5 to 7 years of senior-level experience in museum management or a related field. They will have a proven track record of success in managing complex organizations with authentic positvity, leading high-performing teams, and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. A proactive, solutions-oriented leader, the best candidates will also have strong knowledge of museum operations, financial management principles, artistic and cultural knowledge, excellent communication skills. Alternatively, experience in other types of arts and non-profit organizations – i.e., performing arts – is also desirable. 

Key competencies and attributes for this role include:

Strategic Leadership

• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans, prioritize initiatives, and allocate resources effectively.

• A “thought partner” for the Director who can sensitively advise when making major decisions for the institution, with an eye on the “big picture” and long-term goals.

• Demonstrates the ability to navigate short-term emergent situations and long-term strategic planning with composure and professionalism.

Operational and Change Management

• Experience in managing complex organizations, including finance, human resources, and operations.

• Highly desired is experience leading within organizations in the midst of significant culture and operational change, guiding department heads on how to effectively lead their teams through a period of transformative growth and change, with all accompanying opportunities and challenges.

Collaboration and Teamwork

• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams, foster a culture of collaboration, and promote inclusion and best practice throughout the organization.

• Prior experience managing diverse teams, in several dimensions: functional expertise/skill sets, demographics (i.e., age, gender, tenure in careers), etc., cultivating a unified organizational culture and sense of purpose in contributing to the larger institution.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

• Strong EQ/emotional intelligence, with active listening skills and approachability, so that team members are comfortable bringing issues forward.

Financial Management

• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

• Understanding of how nonprofit organizations balance earned and contributed revenue, and expertise to guide an organization on a sustainable, robust financial infrastructure.

• Able to present financial information to team members and other constituents with varying degrees of comfort and familiarity with budgets and related numbers.

Problem-Solving and Adaptability

• Ability to analyze complex problems, develop creative solutions, and adapt to changing circumstances.

• Comfortable with nuance and uncertainty, with the intellectual agility to anticipate issues before they become problems.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range for this role is between $250,000 – $300,000. Compensation includes an excellent benefits package and is commensurate with experience.

CONTACT

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Naree Viner and Stephen Milbauer. Express interest in this role by https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/%20search/v2/22733 or emailing the search team directly at smilbauer@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.

DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The Modern is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of all personal characteristics and backgrounds.

About DSG | Koya

DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's https://www.dsgco.com/industry/nonprofit-and-social-impact/

To apply, visit: https://apptrkr.com/6832206