Executive Director, Center for Western Studies (CWS)

Job Overview

Augustana University invites applications for the position of Executive Director of the Center for Western Studies (CWS)—a nationally recognized research center, museum, and public humanities hub dedicated to the Northern Plains and American West.

Founded to “improve the quality of social and cultural life in the Northern Plains” through research, education, and public engagement, CWS serves as a dynamic intersection of scholarship, community programming, exhibitions, and archives. (augie.edu)

The Executive Director provides visionary leadership, operational oversight, and strategic advancement of the Center while serving as a key liaison between the university, board, and broader community.

About the Center for Western Studies

Located on Augustana’s campus in Sioux Falls, the Center for Western Studies includes:

• A regional research library and archives focused on the Northern Plains
• Signature public programs such as the Dakota Conference and Boe Forum on Public Affairs
• A mission-driven commitment to connecting academic scholarship with public understanding and community engagement
• A university-affiliated book publisher of monographs and anthologies based on current research
• Art galleries and museum exhibitions featuring Native American, regional, and historical works

CWS plays a unique role within the university and region, serving students, faculty, scholars, and the general public.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute a long-term vision for CWS programs, collections, and partnerships
• Lead strategic planning aligned with university priorities and regional impact
• Serve as liaison to the CWS Board of Directors and advisory groups

Fundraising & Advancement

• Act as chief fundraiser, leading annual, major gift, and grant efforts
• Build and steward relationships with donors, members, and community stakeholders
• Identify new funding opportunities to support programs, collections, and growth

Operations & Administration

• Direct all Center operations, including a ~$650,000 budget
• Supervise staff and oversee hiring, evaluation, and development
• Manage facilities, collections, exhibitions, and publications

Programs & Public Engagement

• Oversee major conferences, lectures, exhibitions, and public events
• Strengthen partnerships with academic departments and regional organizations
• Represent CWS in professional, academic, and public forums

Staff Leadership

• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven team culture
• Mentor staff, interns, and student employees
• Ensure effective staffing, scheduling, and performance management

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (e.g., history, English, American studies, anthropology, museum or archives administration)
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience in a museum, archives, research center, or similar organization
• Demonstrated record of scholarly, curatorial, or collections-based work

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven success in fundraising, including grants and major gifts
• Teaching experience in higher education
• Experience working with governing boards or advisory councils

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and organizational leadership
• Fundraising and donor engagement expertise
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Financial and budget management
• Ability to engage diverse audiences, from academic to public communities
• Experience building partnerships across institutions and disciplines

Work Environment

• Primarily campus-based in Sioux Falls, SD
• Regular evening and weekend commitments for events and programs
• Occasional physical activity (e.g., exhibit setup, lifting up to 50 lbs)

Why Join Augustana University?

• Lead a high-impact cultural and research center with regional and national reach
• Shape programs that connect scholarship with public life
• Collaborate in a mission-driven, student-centered academic community
• Contribute to a center that blends archives, exhibitions, publishing, and public humanities

Interacting with students, faculty and leadership with different backgrounds and points of view and a deep appreciation of and respect for academic values and culture must be a top value of the candidate.

Application Procedure

The position will remain open until filled. Interested applicants are asked to submit the below application materials via our Career Center Portal. If assistance is needed during the application process, please reach out to humanresources@augie.edu.

• Letter of interest
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Contact information for at least three references

Augustana University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Title IX Employer. Applicants must comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act and may be required to submit official transcripts upon employment. Finalist candidates must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment background check.

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