Job Description

About the Role:

The client is seeking a visionary and strategic Executive Director to lead a prominent cultural and historical institution that operates as a state agency with a not-for-profit structure. This individual will serve as the public face and strategic leader of the organization, responsible for guiding its mission to preserve, share, and interpret regional history in a way that is accessible and meaningful to diverse audiences.

The Executive Director will oversee a wide range of departments, including exhibitions, education, public engagement, development, collections, and administrative services. The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of museum or cultural organization leadership, with proven experience in organizational strategy, community partnership, and inclusive leadership.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a historically rich, publicly funded institution with the flexibility and impact of a nonprofit model.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement long-term strategic goals in alignment with the organizations mission, values, and statewide impact.
• Oversee daily operations across departments, ensuring excellence in museum services, programming, and public engagement.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the organization. Cultivate relationships with government agencies, donors, community groups, and cultural partners.
• Ensure financial sustainability through oversight of budgets, public funding, and fundraising strategies. Work closely with financial staff and the Board to manage resources responsibly.
• Lead a diverse team with transparency and integrity. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance organizational culture.
• Partner with the Board of Trustees or designated oversight body to support governance best practices and align priorities.

Education and Experience:

• A bachelors degree is required; an advanced degree in museum studies, history, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of senior leadership experience in a museum, historical society, cultural organization, or similarly complex nonprofit or public agency.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, fundraising, public engagement, and managing cross-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of museum operations, public history, or cultural programming.
• Commitment to equity, accessibility, and community-centered leadership.

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