Small Museum Association

Job Summary:
The Executive Director, in partnership with a responsive and experienced board, is responsible for all aspects of the institution and oversees sustaining its excellence and broadening its impact. Responsibilities range from day-to-day operations to comprehensive plans.

About Rokeby:
Rokeby Museum is a National Historic Landmark located in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. The historic house is furnished with nearly 200 years of domestic belongings. Together with its nationally significant archive of over 15,000 family letters, the museum provides an intimate glimpse into the remarkable Robinson family of agriculturists, abolitionists, artists, and authors. The 90-acre site includes nine historic farm buildings and cultural heritage walking trails. The modern Education Center houses exhibitions, a museum store, and staff offices.

The museum's mission is to connect visitors with the human experience of the Underground Railroad and with the lives of the four generations of Robinsons who lived at Rokeby from 1793 to 1961. The museum is committed to serving as a center for advocating, exploring, and discussing contemporary social and racial justice issues.

Why you want to work here:
The director of Rokeby Museum can initiate real and lasting change in the institution itself and advance our mission in our local communities and state. Our resources hold enormous potential for a director of vision and creativity: a wealth of rare primary source material; welcoming colleagues, volunteers, artists, and experts in neighboring colleges and universities; untapped financial resources in the surrounding region; and an engaged, receptive public. Located in a
thriving area between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, our region frequently appears on lists of the best places to live and work, offering a high quality of life and a vibrant cultural scene.

Responsibilities:
Leadership and Board Relations
The Executive Director collaborates with the Board of Trustees and committees to develop long-term visions and strategies. Duties include organizing Board meetings, setting agendas, and maintaining communication with the Trustee Chair and Executive Committee.

Development, Fundraising, and Fiscal Management
Key responsibilities include driving fundraising efforts, managing the annual fund campaign, overseeing financial operations, ensuring compliance with reporting obligations, and securing grant funding. Regular communication with the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair is essential.

Operations and Personnel Oversight
The Executive Director manages staff and volunteers, ensuring efficient operations. Responsibilities include payroll, tracking staff hours, compliance with employment laws, and supervising administrative tasks. The role fosters continuous learning through training and staff reviews.

Marketing
Key tasks include maintaining and updating the museum’s social media presence, designing enewsletters, updating website content, and collaborating on displays and advertisements. Developing marketing campaigns and designing brochures and leaflets for programming are also essential.

Exhibition Curation
The Executive Director plans and executes yearly seasonal exhibitions, updates the main exhibition’s interpretation, and ensures the safe display of artifacts. Responsibilities include researching themes, planning layouts, and updating exhibition spaces.

Collections Management
Ensuring the long-term conservation of artifacts is vital. This involves monitoring environmental threats, identifying storage needs, and coordinating artifact cataloging and cleaning with staff and volunteers.

Buildings and Grounds
The Executive Director oversees the preservation of historic buildings, communicates with the Buildings & Grounds Committee Chair on preservation goals, monitors trails and outdoor spaces, and arranges maintenance services.

Outreach and Programming
As a community liaison, the Executive Director manages partnerships, cultivates donor relationships, and represents the museum publicly. It is also essential to develop and implement a yearly program calendar with the Education Programs Manager.

In summary, the Executive Director role encompasses leadership, financial management, operations, marketing, exhibition curation, collections management, building and grounds oversight, and community outreach, which are crucial for the museum’s sustained excellence and growth.

Education and Training:

Bachelor's degree in history, museum studies, or related field, or equivalent experience; Master's degree and three years of museum work experience preferred; training and/or experience in business management, fundraising, marketing, and educational presentations; demonstrated commitment to Rokeby's mission.

A full job description can be found here: https://rokeby.org/work-at-rokeby/

How to Apply:

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range is $65,000 to $75,000. Benefits include a stipend for healthcare, a 401 (k) and vacation/sick leave.

To apply, email your CV/Resume, a cover letter, and salary requirements to Gary Kling at employment@rokeby.org.

Applications will be considered until March 15, 2025.

We are seeking a mission-driven leader who can collaboratively build and clearly communicate a compelling vision for The Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame. This individual will be passionate about the power of storytelling and committed to community engagement, ensuring TSM/NSHOF serves and connects with the entire community. The ideal candidate is an energetic, externally focused professional with a high level of emotional intelligence, dedicated to making TSM/NSHOF a more impactful institution while maintaining financial health and expanding its service to our mission. 

The Executive Director will lead with integrity, fiscal responsibility and a strong dedication to public outreach, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration in partnership with the Board of Directors. They will be responsible for driving the museum’s growth through strategic fundraising initiatives, ensuring both financial stability and long-term sustainability. The Executive Director will cultivate a network of dedicated donors, members, community advocates and partners.

The Executive Director will be a strategic thinker, team builder, communicator, fundraiser and innovator, with a proven ability to translate vision into actionable results. They will also uniquely convey the museum's story and its community role, bridging the past and present, uniting the rich collection with the living sport of sailing, and inspiring a broad, inclusive audience. A key priority is to create a people-first environment that embodies best practices, emphasizing respect, accountability, learning from mistakes, collaboration and transparency. A deep commitment to accessibility, inclusivity and diversity is essential.

How to Apply

Visit https://thesailingmuseum.org/about/careers/ to apply online via our submission form.

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job descriptio describes you, then please apply for this position!

Education Internship

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort

315 Front Street Beaufort, NC 28516

Summer 2025 Sponsored by The Friends of the Museum

About:

The Education Section of the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort is in search of a well-qualified, energetic, and responsible student to fill the role of Education Intern for the Summer of 2025. The intern will assist instructors with our annual Summer Science School classes to teach children in grades 1-4 about fishing, pirates, and model boats. The intern will also assist with outreach programs for youth organizations, community events, and field trip programs guided by full-time education section staff. Additional opportunities may exist for helping with work at the Bonehenge Whale Center in Beaufort.

This is a great opportunity for students pursuing a degree in various programs, including education, history, marine science, biology, museum studies, natural sciences, and cultural resources. The ideal candidate does not need to be enrolled in one of these specific programs, an interest in our museum and a desire to teach elementary age children and general audiences in informal settings is more important!

Expectations 

• The intern must be over the age of 16 and project a good image for program participants and museum guests.
• They should maintain a neat appearance and friendly, mature demeanor.
• It is preferred that the intern is certified in first aid and CPR, knows how to swim, and is comfortable working outdoors.
• Interns will need to comply with the dress code requested of class participants (i.e., closed-toe shoes, field clothes, etc.) while at work, program sites, in museum facilities, and in or near water. Presentable attire for a public museum setting is required.
• Interns must provide their own personal materials, field clothing, appropriate footwear, water bottle, etc.
• Interns are responsible for providing their own means of transportation to and from work.

Schedule

Length of Internship: 8 weeks, June 17, 2025 – August 8, 2025.

Work Schedule: Part time, Monday – Friday, typically 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., days and hours will vary depending on workload, averaging 20 hours per week.

Stipend Amount: $2,000 Disbursement amount/frequency: first disbursement of $1,000 will be July 2nd, second amount of $1,000 will be July 30th .

How to Apply

Submit a resume containing your school and course of study, work and volunteer experiences, two professional and one personal reference, and your contact information, to both Associate Education Curators, Christine Brin and Courtney Felton, via e-mail by April 15, 2025.

To: Associate Education Curator Christine Brin, christine.brin@dncr.nc.gov Associate Education Curator Courtney Felton, courtney.felton@dncr.nc.gov

More Info

For more information about the internship call 252-504-7743. To learn about the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort follow this link: https://ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/

To learn about the Summer Science School program administered by the museum follow this link: https://ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/nc-maritime-museums-summer-science-program/

Please note that the main museum building will be temporarily closed in 2025 while under construction. A re-opening date has not been set. Most work for the internship will be based out of the museum’s Watercraft Center, offsite for outreach programs, at the partner facility Bonehenge Whale Center, or in the field at various locations

Position Announcement: Executive Director Laurel Historical Society

The Laurel Historical Society, a community history organization in Laurel, Maryland, seeks an energetic, creative, and goal-oriented leader to serve as Executive Director.

 

About the Laurel Historical Society

Founded in 1975, The Laurel Historical Society (LHS) operates the Laurel Museum in an 1840s mill workers building which is owned and maintained by the City of Laurel. The LHS works to preserve and promote the cultural and historical heritage of Laurel and the immediate surrounding area. Its holdings include a substantial collection of artifacts, photographs, documents, and ephemera related to the history of Laurel. The Laurel Museum has an exhibit which changes each year, a research library, and a museum shop. It offers free admission and research assistance to the public. The LHS is active in the community and offers free summer camps, webinars, children and adult educational activities, walking tours, garden and holiday house tours and an annual fundraising gala. In addition, the LHS participates at events throughout the city and partners with many civic, community and business organizations. The organization is celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2025. The Laurel Historical Society recently completed strategic planning and has recently updated the mission statement and added vision and value statements. A copy of these can be viewed here. It also recently revised its bylaws.

 

Job Description:

The primary responsibilities of the Executive Director are the management of the Laurel Historical Society, which includes operation of the Laurel Museum, exhibits, collections, resource management, planning, programming, and development. 

 

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will be a dynamic and thoughtful leader, committed to diverse and equitable practices within the museum community and will have demonstrated success and enthusiasm for working collaboratively with paid staff and volunteers.  The successful candidate will have a relevant bachelor's degree and  three to five years of progressively responsible leadership within a museum, arts, historical, or non-profit organizationwork in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience,. A master’s degree in a humanities field is preferred, as is previous supervision and financial responsibilities. The successful candidate will be able to meet the physical demands of working in a multi-storied historic building and transporting materials off-site. Familiarity with a PC environment and knowledge of standard professional computer applications is required. A knowledge of  PastPerfect is desirable as is familiarity with a variety of  Social Media platforms.

 

Executive Director Responsibilities

 

Leadership and Operations

·         Identify, assign, and supervise paid and volunteer staff. Foster open communications, collaboration, and transparency among volunteers, staff, and board.

·         Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

·         Develop and implement planning, programming, and long and short-term direction and goals.

·         Maintain overall responsibility for financial management of the organization, including budgeting, payroll, grants, donations and expenses.

 

Exhibit and Collections Management

·         Oversee collections management activities, including curation, in collaboration with the collections committee.

·         Ensure public accessibility to in-house collection research tools and information.

·         Work with the exhibit committee and consultants to develop, curate, mount, and promote thoughtful, engaging, and timely exhibits.

 

Membership, Development & Grants

·         Develop, retain, and increase membership.

·         Coordinate and define development and fundraising strategies working collaboratively with the Board and special event committees.

·         Identify grant opportunities and work to develop and oversee government, non-profit, and foundation grants.

 

Museum Operations and Facilities Management.

·         Ensure that the Laurel Museum is open, operational, and staffed on designated days and times.

·         Administer the operation of the online and onsite museum shop.

·         Partner with the City of Laurel to ensure proper maintenance of the building, grounds and equipment.

 

Outreach and Community Engagement

·         Become an active and relevant presence in the community.

·         Develop and foster relationships with staff, board, volunteers, donors, and community, civic, business and political stakeholders.

·         Develop programs, community activities, and online and in-person activities.

·         Leverage the website, social media, and marketing to promote the LHS and museum.

 

Salary:

The salary range is $65-68,000. This is a full-time exempt position. The work environment is flexible and remote work is an option, however, regular attendance on-site is required. Some weekend and evening hours to support meetings, museum visitor open hours, programs and events are required.

 

More About The LHS

LHS has an annual operating budget of approximately $250,000. There is a 21-person board and seven person Executive Committee. The Executive Director reports to the President of the LHS and directly supervises the Education/Outreach Coordinator, Museum Administrator, and Visitor Services Associate, in addition to interns and the volunteer corps of 20-50 volunteers.

 

The Community

Laurel, Maryland, is a dynamic and diverse community. The Mayor and City Council govern the municipality and the Laurel Museum is located within the city limits and the historic district of Laurel. The greater Laurel area is located in four different counties and boasts cultural, historical, and geographic diversity. Located almost exactly between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Laurel enjoys easy access to commuter options and the cultural opportunities of both. Laurel is situated along the Patuxent River and located along the I-95, I-295, and Route 1 corridors, and is the location of a train station on the MARC Camden line.

 

Closing date: February 22, 2025

 

To Apply: Please submit cover letter and resume to resumes@laurelhistoricalsociety.org with Executive Director in the subject line.  No phone inquiries please.

To Apply:

To apply, please email resume and cover letter to jonnalynn@millicentrogers.org  

Sodus Bay Historical Society and Lighthouse Museum. This position will lead the development and growth of the museum and historical society, managing a capital campaign and expanding the facilities, exhibits, and services of the historical society. A unique opportunity for an energetic, focused, productive, and engaging individual who wants to run the show and be supported by area leaders.

Position Purpose:

The Director is primarily accountable for leading and managing the overall operation and success of the Society under the general guidance of the Board of Trustees.

Principal Accountabilities

•  Ensures positive financial support for Society operations and continual growth through successful fund-raising strategies.

•  Attracts members, volunteers, and visitors sufficient to meet annual objectives by planning and executing effective marketing and publicity strategies.

•  Ensures financial viability of the Society by developing the annual operating and capital expense budgets working closely with the Treasurer.

•  Ensures accurate and timely accounting and financial statements of the Society by managing Society financial matters in conjunction with the bookkeeper.

•  Achieves agreed-upon goals and objectives adopted by the Board of Trustees by developing and executing an approved annual operating plan.

•  Helps to ensure the growth and sustainability of the Society by contributing to the development of longer-term plans.

•  Establishes the Society as the authority on Sodus Bay history by developing and implementing programs for education outreach.

 Positions the Society as a leading community organization by networking and partnering with other community, educational, and historical organizations on special projects and events.

•  Maintains and projects a professional appearance and demeanor when representing the Sodus Bay Historical Society and when engaging in all activities and events.

•  Leads and manages a competent staff to achieve the annual and longer-term plans.

Annual salary $60,000-80,000K with health insurance. Consideration will be given to candidates having proven experience in at least one of the following areas: Leadership, fund-raising, endowments, museum curation, marketing, storage of artifacts, technology, and community outreach.

Contact: Robert Legge, Secretary at boblegge@gmail.com

Join this great museum team!

Anticipated Vacancy! Posting closes 2/7/2025

Hiring Salary Range: 48,222 to 62,978

Johb description and to apply on the link below!

Job Opportunities | Careers with the State of NC

Join an amazing team at one of the most unique museums on the sandy beaches of the outer Banks!

Posting closes 1/30/25

See more information and to apply on the link below

Job Opportunities | Careers with the State of NC

Museum Educator at new state museum in North Carolina.  Building a dynamic team! Posting closes 1/30/25

See more information and to apply at the link below.

Job Opportunities | Careers with the State of NC

Albacore Park in Portsmouth, NH, home of the USS Albacore submarine and regional maritime heritage museum is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to continue the rich history of the park and lead the park into the future as a major attraction.  Albacore Park is a medium sized museum with a 3 acres seaside  campus that includes museum facility, visitors center, gift shop, memorial garden, submarine basin, USS Albacore historic submarine, parking and picnic areas, with approx. 45,000 annual visitors and full-time professional staff.  The park has recently completed a museum expansion and is implementing program expansions enhancing visitor experiences.

Position Summary:

The Executive Director of Albacore Park is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and operational success of the park and maritime heritage museum. This individual will ensure that the museum fulfills its mission to preserve and present the history of the USS Albacore with its significance in naval history and oversee the maritime heritage museum. The Executive Director oversees all aspects of administration, fundraising, staff management, strategic planning, community outreach, and financial management.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategic Planning:

• Develop and implement the strategic vision and long-term goals for Albacore Park.

• Lead and inspire a small team of staff and volunteers.

• Build partnerships with other organizations, educational institutions, and community stakeholders.

Fundraising & Development:

•  Lead fundraising efforts, including grant writing, donor relations, and sponsorship development.

• Create and manage events and campaigns to raise awareness and financial support for the park.

• Identify and pursue grant opportunities from government and private sources.

Financial Oversight:

• Prepare and manage the annual budget.

• Ensure proper accounting and financial reporting practices.

• Oversee revenue generation from admissions, events, and gift shop sales.

Operational Management:

• Oversee daily operations, including staff and volunteer management.

• Ensure the USS Albacore submarine and museum exhibits are maintained, preserved, and accessible to the public.

• Manage facility rentals, special events, and educational programs.

• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and museum standards.

Public Relations & Marketing:

• Represent Albacore Park in the local community and act as a spokesperson.

• Build relationships with media outlets to promote the park.

• Oversee marketing initiatives to increase attendance, membership, and overall visibility.

Community Engagement & Education:

• Develop and execute educational programs that highlight the historical significance of the USS Albacore.

• Create partnerships with schools, veterans’ organizations, and other community groups.

• Organize events that engage the public and provide enriching experiences for visitors.

Qualifications:

The Executive Director shall have the following professional qualifications and experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, public history, business management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in nonprofit management, museum administration, or a related field.

• Proven experience in fundraising, donor relations, and grant writing.

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Financial management experience, including budgeting and reporting.

• Experience with public speaking and networking.

• Knowledge of naval or military history is a plus.

• Familiarity with museum best practices and accreditation standards

• Physical ability to access the Museum, park grounds and submarine

The Executive Director shall have demonstrated

• A passion for history and education.

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

• High level of integrity, creativity, and initiative.

• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, public service and fast paced environment with several concurrent events and responsibilities

Salary:

A comprehensive compensation package is offered that includes

• Compensation Range of approx. $68,000 to $78,000

• Profit Sharing and Performance based incentives for a growing organization

• Benefits package including leave, holidays, health care supplement, retirement contribution, and Professional Development

Application Instructions:

• Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to hiring@ussalbacore.org by January 25, 2025

• Receipt of application will be provided by email

• Please do not call or send hard copies of your application

• Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted