Foundation Director

About The J. Paul Getty Trust

The J. Paul Getty Trust (“Getty”)is one of the world’s most influential cultural institutions dedicated to the visual arts. Based in Los Angeles, it encompasses four programs: the Getty Foundation, the Getty Museum, the Getty Research Institute, and the Getty Conservation Institute. A leading global arts organization, it is committed to exhibiting, conserving, and advancing the understanding of the world’s artistic and cultural heritage. Getty pursues its work with strategic partners around the world and actively shares its knowledge and resources with the public online and its collections in-person at the Getty Center and the Getty Villa.  

Getty is leading and facilitating transformative scholarship in art history and conservation, bringing collections and exhibitions to life, publishing for professionals and the general public, and engaging and educating diverse audiences. It accomplishes all of this through strategic partnerships with organizations in Los Angeles and across the globe. Each year more than one million visitors enjoy the collections, architecture, and gardens of the Getty’s two locations in Los Angeles: the Getty Villa and the Getty Center, where its primary offices are housed. Through its commitment to Open Access, millions more benefit from Getty’s generosity and professional work.

For more information, please visit: www.getty.edu.  

About the Getty Foundation

The Getty Foundation is the grantmaking arm of The J. Paul Getty Trust. The Foundation has also evolved to be one of the Getty’s primary mechanisms for building important and lasting relationships in the Los Angeles and Southern California communities.

In collaboration with the Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Conservation Institute, the Foundation works to strengthen the global arts ecosystem through strategic philanthropy. It supports institutions and individuals working to advance art historical research, conservation practice, and curatorial excellence, and supports efforts to train the next generation of arts leaders.

Noteworthy initiatives include: the Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship program, introducing college students to careers in the arts; Connecting Art Histories, engaging scholars across borders internationally; Keeping it Modern, advancing the conservation of 20th century architecture, and Black Visual Arts Archives, making possible a broader understanding of American art.

Also among the Foundation’s premier initiatives is PST ART, an unprecedented, large-scale collaboration of more than 60 cultural, educational, and community organizations, each presenting thematically linked exhibitions and programs designed to celebrate Southern California’s cultural history. Occurring every five years, the next edition of PST ART is slated for 2030.

The Foundation has also taken a leadership role among Southern California art philanthropies in efforts such as the LA Arts Recovery Fund, which distributed almost $40 million to arts organizations in response to COVID, and the LA Fire Relief Fund, which recently provided almost $17 million in emergency support to artists and arts workers after the Palisades and Altadena fires.

The Foundation’s fiscal year 2026 budget is $28.2 million, consisting of $17.2 million allocated to grantmaking, including PST ART; $6 million for administration; $3 million for matching gifts and Getty internships; and $2 million for PST marketing and communications. The Foundation operates with a dedicated staff of 28 full-time employees, including a Grants Administration unit serving the entire Getty.

Learn more about the Getty Foundation at https://www.getty.edu/foundation/.

The Opportunity

The Director of the Getty Foundation will lead a global arts philanthropy, partnering with institutional leaders and external collaborators worldwide to shape the future of conservation, art history, and public engagement with the visual arts.

Reporting to Katherine E. Fleming, President and CEO, and working closely with Getty’s other Program Directors and Vice Presidents, the Foundation Director is responsible for overseeing and guiding the Getty’s grant making activities in alignment with Getty’s programmatic priorities and goals.

At a pivotal moment in the Foundation’s history, the next Director will serve as a champion for its mission to shape future directions in the visual arts, find opportunities for broader impact amidst a rapidly changing landscape nationally and internationally, and develop innovative approaches to arts philanthropy.

The Foundation Director has a key role in the design and management of Getty-wide strategic grant initiatives, which promote the interdisciplinary practice of conservation, strengthen art history as a global discipline, increase access to and public interest in museum and archival collections, and develop current and future leaders in the visual arts.

Providing oversight to the Creative Director of PST ART, the Foundation Director offers strategic partnership, builds its resource base, sustains its quality and impact, and ensures Getty’s continued commitment to PST ART and its every-five-year delivery.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a dedicated, passionate, and talented team that works together to foster and advance a collective culture of innovation, collaboration, and transparency.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Provide vision and a strategic framework for the Getty Foundation’s activities;

• Contribute to the development of Getty-wide strategies and initiatives;

• Align Foundation programs with Getty-wide priorities;

• Establish an overall strategy for grant activities and set priorities for grant making that are consistent with that strategy;

• Lead, develop, evaluate, and mentor a team of professional and support staff;

• Determine the staffing needs of the department, recommend responsible use of resources, and direct staff to ensure the success of the Foundation;

• Ensure appropriate oversight of contracts and budget for the Foundation;

• Serve as a contributing member of Getty’s executive team;

• Participate in both strategic planning as well as in tactical, operational day-to-day execution of priorities;

• Establish a trusted partnership with the President and CEO and other Program Directors and Vice Presidents; and

• Represent Getty externally, as appropriate, to advance its mission and visibility.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned, diplomatically adept leader with deep fluency in art and philanthropy — someone who understands that this role is bigger than grantmaking alone and who can serve as a thought partner, institutional bridge, and visible ambassador for the Getty and Getty Foundation. To be successful, the candidate will bring the following qualities and qualifications:

Passion for the Mission and Deep Art Fluency

Deep fluency in art and art history — both historical and contemporary — and will be well respected for their intellectual contributions among scholars, curators, artists, and conservation professionals. They will have a strong intellectual background in art history, archaeology, conservation, cultural history, or a related field, and will be genuinely committed to the Getty’s mission to promote a vital civil society through the visual arts. The candidate will have demonstrated progressive leadership experience in arts philanthropy, with a track record of impact and innovation that reflects both subject-matter mastery and an understanding of best practices in the field. A PhD or equivalent terminal degree is valued but not required.

Strategic Leadership and Philanthropic Acumen

The individual will be an outcomes-focused, disciplined leader with a proven ability to adapt to changing circumstances while staying grounded in mission and values. Working in close collaboration with the President and CEO and Getty’s other Program Directors, the Director will help define the Foundation’s strategic priorities and bring a big-picture mindset — with the courage to push boundaries and uncover new possibilities and partnerships. They will distinguish between interesting ideas and strategically important investments, expand grantmaking impact creatively within realistic financial constraints, and be comfortable saying “no” with clarity and diplomacy. They will understand the philosophy and practice of grantmaking, including consultative and trust-based approaches, and will balance stewardship of legacy initiatives like PST ART with the judgment to evolve the Foundation’s direction thoughtfully over time.

Diplomatic Leadership and Cultural Intelligence

They will be highly politically savvy and emotionally intelligent, with the ability to navigate a complex institutional culture. A strong listener with a high level of emotional intelligence, they will be a skilled builder of partnerships — leading teams, fostering cross-institutional collaboration, and gaining community-wide trust through an engaging, hands-on leadership style. They will hold authority with confidence and build trust steadily across long-tenured and highly expert stakeholders. A patient, incremental change agent, the Director will understand that success at Getty requires respecting institutional legacy, building relationships, and steering evolution thoughtfully. They will bring positive, collaborative energy and the resilience and good humor needed to thrive in a dynamic environment.

An Ambassador for the Getty Foundation

They will be a confident, visible representative of the Foundation — a persuasive communicator who can speak compellingly on behalf of Getty to diverse audiences and stakeholders. They will have experience working across cultures and geographies, with a commitment to equity and access, and will bring strong existing networks in the art world. The individual will be resourceful and able to tap into relevant networks on behalf of Getty, visiting grantees, engaging community leaders and trustees face-to-face, and balancing the Foundation’s deep regional roots in the Los Angeles area with meaningful international reach. They will understand how to position the Foundation within the larger Getty narrative, serving as a collegial partner across departments.

Operational Excellence and Institutional Fluency

The candidate will have significant experience managing complex budgets, staff, and programs with transparency and rigor. They will understand how to operate effectively within a large, matrixed institution — comfortable with overlapping roles, shared priorities, and institutional protocols. They will be adept at guiding program officers, setting clear expectations with grantees, and ensuring the Foundation’s operational infrastructure supports its strategic ambitions. An engaging, hands-on leader, they will effectively motivate and manage a talented team while earning trust across Getty’s senior leadership and the broader communities the Foundation serves.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary that the Getty reasonably expects to pay is in the range of $525,000-$550,000.

The exact salary that will be offered to the Director will be determined based on a consideration of the successful candidate’s skills, experience, and aligned with the Getty’s compensation policies.

Note: Los Angeles area residency required.

Getty observes a hybrid in-office and remote work schedule; however, executives at Getty spend the majority of their time in the office, outside of necessary business travel.

The Getty provides a generous and comprehensive benefits package. For information, visit www.gettyhr.com.

Contact

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Molly Brennan and Alex Corvin. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by https://apptrkr.com/7008648. All inquiries 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 NPSIsearchoperations@dsgco.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

J. Paul Getty Trust is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.

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

To apply, visit: https://apptrkr.com/7008648