30 July 2026
JOB VACANCY
VACANCY
MUSEUM DIRECTOR / CURATOR (M/F)
The organisation
The Mission Museum in Steyl is a unique museum with a remarkable collection covering cultural history, natural history and ethnography. The museum stands out for the virtually authentic nature of its displays, offering visitors a museum experience that is rarely found elsewhere. Alongside preserving this distinct identity, the museum is working to further professionalise its operations, broaden its audience reach and strengthen its social significance.
The organisation consists of a small team of five staff members, supported by a large and dedicated group of volunteers. To date, the staff team has operated largely autonomously. The board is closely involved in both policy-making and day-to-day operations.
Following the departure of the current curator (retirement), the future structure of the organisation has been the subject of discussion. With a view to the museum’s further development, the board has now decided to appoint a director-curator. This officer will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the organisation and for the management and curatorial development of the collection. Consequently, the role of the board will gradually shift from an executive one to a supervisory and strategic one. In the long term, this development may lead to a governance model comprising a director-manager and a Supervisory Board.
The Director-Curator has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the museum. He or she leads the staff, helps them realise their potential, encourages collaboration and ensures a professional, open and inspiring working environment. At the same time, the Director-Curator is responsible for the collection policy, the museum’s academic and curatorial standards, and the further development of its programme of exhibitions and events. In addition, he or she is responsible, together with the staff, for the management and conservation of the collection and the building, as well as for public relations and marketing, and for ensuring compliance with the various codes applicable to the museum.
The Director-Curator acts as the link between the board, staff, volunteers, visitors, funding bodies and external partners. He or she safeguards the unique character of the Mission Museum whilst developing a forward-looking vision for the organisation’s future development and setting the priorities required to achieve this.
PROFILE
We are looking for a director-curator who can combine subject-matter expertise with inclusive leadership.
Knowledge and experience
• HBO+ or academic level of working and thinking.
• A degree in, for example, museology, art history, heritage studies, history, anthropology, natural history or a similar discipline.
• Experience within a museum or heritage organisation; a network within the museum sector is an advantage.
• Demonstrable managerial experience or demonstrable ability to lead a small professional team, with a hands-on approach being essential.
• Experience with grant applications, fundraising and project development is an advantage.
• At least a passive knowledge of the German language is a requirement.
COMPETENCIES
• Leadership that is unifying and supportive, whilst remaining clear.
• A vision for the development of museums and heritage.
• Organisational sensitivity.
• Decisiveness.
• Strong communication skills.
• Collaborative.
• Entrepreneurial and results-oriented.
• Integrity and attention to detail.
• An affinity with volunteer organisations.
• Respect for the museum’s history, identity and mission.
Preference will be given to someone who lives in and feels connected to the region (maximum one hour’s travel time).
This is a 0.8 FTE position, requiring regular presence at the workplace, with an indicative salary based on scale 11 of the museum collective agreement.
POSITION
The Director-Curator reports to the board of the Steyl Mission Museum Foundation.
THE TASK
In the first few years, the focus will be on:
• strengthening the internal organisation;
• bringing stability, clarity and cohesion to the organisation and developing a professional management approach for staff and volunteers, with clear roles and responsibilities;
• further developing the collection policy and public engagement activities;
• enhancing the museum’s social and regional significance;
• preparing for the careful handover of day-to-day management from the board to the executive team and shaping a future-proof governance structure in which the board and the executive team each have their own clear responsibilities.
The Director-Curator will carry out these tasks whilst respecting the unique character of the Missions Museum: a museum that cherishes its remarkable history whilst looking to the future.
PROCEDURE
Candidates for this position may express their interest by sending a covering letter and CV by 31 August at the latest to: Chrit de Koning, voorzitter@missiemuseumsteyl.nl
Interviews with the selection panel will take place on 7, 8 or 9 September.
For further information, please visit our website: www.missiemuseum.nl
For further information or enquiries, please contact Chrit de Koning, Chair of the Board, on 06 5134 8332.
Recruitment agencies are not to be contacted regarding this vacancy.
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