Deputy Director, Finance, Operations and Administration

THE HAMMER MUSEUM

As one of the three public arts institutions of the School of the Arts and Architecture at UCLA, The Hammer Museum is dedicated to championing artists and artwork that provoke new ways of seeing, spark imagination, and inspire social change. Through its bold exhibitions and thought-provoking programs, the museum creates opportunities for meaningful engagement with the most urgent cultural, political, and social issues of our time.

Established in 1990 by Dr. Armand Hammer to house his collection of European and 19th-century art, the museum entered a pivotal partnership with UCLA in 1994. This collaboration broadened its scope to include the Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts and stewardship of the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden. In 2018, the Hammer announced a $180 million capital campaign to support an ambitious transformation plan for the museum's spaces. The funds have been used to expand exhibition and public areas, and to increase the museum's endowment. As a result of the campaign, the Hammer has significantly increased gallery space by adding 20,000 square feet of public space for programs, a works on paper study room, art storage, administrative offices, as well as the celebrated Alice Waters restaurant Lulu.

Situated in the heart of Los Angeles-one of the world's most vibrant and culturally diverse cities-the Hammer Museum plays a pivotal role in the region's creative ecosystem. Renowned for its commitment to free admission and inclusive programming, the Hammer serves as a dynamic platform for dialogue, experimentation, and community engagement. Among its most celebrated initiatives is the Made in L.A. biennial, inaugurated in 2012 as the city's first exhibition of its kind. Now in its seventh iteration, the biennial highlights emerging and under-recognized artists working across a wide range of media, reflecting the city's distinctive, decentralized artistic landscape. Complementing this are the Hammer Projects Series and an ambitious slate of over 300 annual public programs-including lectures, symposia, film screenings, readings, and performances-that foster critical conversations and cultural exchange across disciplines such as art, politics, history, activism, the environment, music, and film.

The Hammer possesses world-class art holdings, including the growing Hammer Contemporary Collection, currently over 3,000 objects in all media, with a focus on works on paper and works by Southern California artists. Another ever-increasing collection is the UCLA Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts, which has over 45,000 works on paper from the Renaissance to the present. The Hammer also has permanent collection galleries devoted to the Armand Hammer Collection and oversees the Murphy Sculpture Garden on the UCLA campus. The Hammer has 105 full-time staff and approximately 150 student employees, most of whom attend UCLA. The Hammer's staff is lean, highly capable, and indispensable to its mission.

Visit the Hammer's website to learn more.

THE SEARCH The Hammer is anchored by the transformative power of art and ideas to illuminate lives and contribute to a more just world. As an institution, it champions artists who challenge perceptions, spark imagination, and offer fresh perspectives on the world around us. Art not only provides aesthetic experiences but also offers profound insight into today's most urgent cultural, political, and social issues. As a vibrant hub of intellectual and creative activity, the Hammer thrives on dynamic exhibitions and public programs-including lectures, symposia, film screenings, readings, and musical performances- that foster meaningful encounters with artistic expression. In partnership with the museum Director, the Deputy Director, Finance, Operations & Administration will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of the most influential contemporary art institutions in the country. Working closely with senior leadership, the Deputy Director will ensure the Museum's fiscal strength, operational excellence, and governance effectiveness while advancing the institution's mission, public service, and academic partnership with UCLA. LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE Zoe Ryan was appointed Director of the Hammer Museum in January 2025. Ryan previously served as the Daniel W. Dietrich II Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania, where she led strategic initiatives that deepened community partnerships and championed experimental programming. Her leadership is marked by a dedication to collaboration, innovation, and equity-values she also advanced during her tenure at the Art Institute of Chicago as Chair and Curator of Architecture and Design. Ryan's appointment signals a new chapter for the Hammer, building on its legacy as a dynamic force in contemporary art and civic dialogue. The Board of Directors currently consists of 21 individuals with a spectrum of experience, including UCLA's Chancellor and other senior administrators, as well as artists, collectors, and business and civic leaders. A 37-member national Board of Advisors supports the acquisition and collection-related affairs of the museum. The Hammer's annual operating budget is approximately $29M, and its endowment is approximately $125M. A majority of the Hammer's annual budget comes from fundraising, which is bolstered by generous major gifts, multi-level membership and donor groups, and institutional support. The remainder of the budget is funded by an endowment draw, an annual contribution from UCLA, an annual Gala, and various earned revenue sources. In 1994, the Hammer signed a 99-year rent-free operating agreement with the Regents of the University of California to manage the museum. The museum pays its own operating expenses. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, FINANCE, OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION POSITION The Deputy Director, Finance, Operations & Administration, serves as the Museum's chief operating and financial officer and provides leadership across finance, administration, human resources, facilities & capital projects, IT, security, legal affairs. Overseeing approximately 45 staff and multiple senior managers, the Deputy Director leads institutional operations, and directs complex organizational systems that support exhibitions, programs, and public engagement. The position also manages the Museum's fiscal responsibilities, including audit oversight, regulatory reporting, and investment portfolio stewardship. THE TEAM Reporting to the museum Director, the Deputy Director will set a museum-wide financial strategy with alignment with broader institutional goals. The Deputy Director supervises senior leaders across finance, HR, operations, security, IT, and facilities, fostering an integrate administrative infrastructure that supports the Museum's mission and strategic plan. FINANCE, OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP - Direct fiscal operations, budgeting, and financial forecasting. - Develop financial strategies and alternative planning scenarios. - Oversee accounting, audit, tax filings, and compliance reporting. - Manage banking relationships, cash flow, and credit facilities. - Supervise facilities operations, security, IT infrastructure, and retail operations. - Lead capital projects and operational planning initiatives. GOVERNANCE, RISK & INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT - Serve as Officer of the nonprofit corporation and liaison to Board committees. - Manage investment portfolio strategy and performance oversight. - Oversee legal affairs, contracts, and insurance programs. - Ensure compliance with university and nonprofit governance standards. STRATEGIC PLANNING & INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIP - Advise the Director on institutional planning and policy decisions. - Align administrative infrastructure with programmatic priorities. - Support multi-year strategic and capital initiatives. - Build partnerships across university and external constituents. QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or MBA preferred - Minimum 15 years senior leadership experience in directing finance, administration, human resources, legal and governance, risk management, security, and operations. - Expertise in budgeting, financial analysis, and GAAP accounting. - Ability to resolve complex problems, disputes, and the conflicting needs of a collecting, visual art museum, as well as those of a separate 501 (c)3 that is managed by the University. - Non-profit experience strongly preferred and/or knowledge of the business, operational, and financial standards and practices of a museum. - Experience working with a complex governing structure and Board committees. - Strong strategic, organizational, and problem-solving skills