Washington Heritage Museums · 1 day ago
Executive Director, Washington Heritage Museums
Fredericksburg, VA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$75K/yr - $85K/yr
10+ years expWashington Heritage Museums (WHM) is a cultural institution dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of historic properties in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Executive Director will lead the organization in strategic planning, financial management, community engagement, and staff oversight to ensure the sustainability and growth of WHM's mission.
Museums Historical Sites and Zoos
Responsibilities
Lead, consult, and contribute to conversations with the Board, WHM members and staff, and community stakeholders to advance the goals, objectives, and mission of the organization
Establish short- and long-term priorities and oversee planning for all operations and administration of the WHM
Strategically guide the development of programs and activities to support identified priorities in alignment with available resources while addressing organizational challenges
Strengthen the organization’s financial stability by developing and monitoring operational and project budgets as well as managing the endowment investment portfolio
Develop and lead a robust grant-writing strategy in support of the priorities and goals of the organization
Identify fundraising opportunities for ongoing work and special projects through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation philanthropy
Oversee business management of the organization, including, but not limited to: record keeping, payroll, tax filings, audit preparation, insurance coverage, debts, receipts, and funds management
Ensure the ongoing conservation, repair, and restoration of the WHM historic structures, safeguarding architectural integrity while meeting safety and accessibility standards
Oversee the care, enhancement, and interpretation of gardens and surrounding landscapes, balancing historical authenticity with visitor experience
Direct the research, documentation, conservation, and interpretation of buildings, artifacts, and archival materials associated with the properties, ensuring scholarly accuracy and engaging storytelling for diverse audiences
Serve as an advocate of WHM—its mission and vision—to increase visibility of, access to, and engagement with the WHM properties, collections, and programs
Foster relationships and seek opportunities to partner with community constituencies, building relationships and opportunities for public engagement and donor support
Develop, implement, and evaluate public programs that foster meaningful community engagement, broaden participation, and strengthen connections between WHM and diverse audiences
Hire, manage, and evaluate full-time staff and contract employees
Develop staff through coaching, delegation, and mentorship
Develop and sustain a robust volunteer program that recruits community members to assist WHM ongoing activities, including board-committee work
Qualification
Required
B.A. in Historic Preservation, History, Museum Studies, or related fields and/or 10+ years of experience in various aspects of historic-site work
Demonstrated experience in a leadership role within a nonprofit, cultural heritage organization, including strategic planning and resource development
Knowledge of museum business operations, including budgeting, financial management, project management, and marketing
Strong skills in donor cultivation, fundraising, and relationship-building
Knowledge of federal and state granting agencies and private foundations; track record of success in applying for grant funding
Demonstrated knowledge of and work experience in historic preservation, museum interpretation, and standard curatorial practices
Demonstrated experience in staff and volunteer management, supervision, and leadership, including assessing, coaching, developing, managing, and mentoring staff
Marketing knowledge and experience, including the use of social media platforms for organizational and event promotion
Knowledge of Canva and the creation of basic images and marketing materials for online and print
Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills; ability to build the confidence and trust of staff and community members
Demonstrated interest and success in fostering partnerships and working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
Skilled in navigating sensitive conversations and balancing competing interests with diplomacy and professionalism
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to represent an organization internally and externally with multiple constituencies
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Network for Good, PastPerfect (or other museum cataloging software)
Benefits
Employer-matched retirement plan
Paid time off
Professional development support
Company
Washington Heritage Museums
The mission of the Washington Heritage Museums (WHM) is to preserve, promote and maintain its four 18th century properties in Fredericksburg, VA and develop dynamic educational resources and programs to engage and inspire the interest of everyone.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase