Executive Director

Description:

The Director of the Center is employed by the Society and is the key operational officer of the Society in an exempt position. The Director reports to and works closely with the Board of Directors. The Director should devote full time and effort to the mission and vision of the Society. The position requires diverse skills to fulfill duties that include:

Chief Executive: (a) manages and leads all staff (b) oversees fiscal management of the Center (c) assists in the budget preparation (d) manages program grant cycles including developing grant proposals, meeting key deadlines and deliverables. (e) promotes membership in the Society (f) attends the regular meetings of the Board of Directors of the Society and reports on the state of the Center (g) advises the Board on ethics and historical standards (h) prepares and presents an annual report (i) meets regularly with staff and team leaders (j) other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Development Associate: Works in areas ranging from fundraising to marketing to public relations to membership. Identifies, recruits, and engages members in strategy, development, and implementation.

Community Advocacy: Directs the overall development of public relations and marketing initiatives. Directs and handles the implementation of an effective communication plan. Serves as a known face and voice of the Center. Engages and collaborates with individuals and organizations and agencies to strategically enhance the Society’s Mission and Vision.

Fundraising and Membership/ Donor Relations: Provides vision and direction for the creation and implementation of short- and long-term development plans to generate both operating and capital needs. Collaborates with the Financial and Fundraising Teams and takes the lead in donor development and solicitation.

Operational Manager: provides a safe environment for the visitors, the volunteer workers, and staff. Manages, secures, and maintains the property and facilities of the Center, as well as the collections held in public trust.

Public Programmer: Demonstrates enthusiasm for presenting and researching history, culture, and architecture of Shelby County's past, present, and future.

Curator: Researches and writes exhibit scripts, selects artifacts for display in exhibitions, and is responsible for the maintenance and interpretation of the Center’s collections and/ or delegates as needed.

Educator: creates programming to promote the mission and vision of the Society.

Researcher: Handles public research requests as they pertain to the local history.

Continuing Education: The Director is expected to attend seminars, workshops, and training, as well visit other historical institutions as supported by the Board of Directors, with related expenses paid by the Society.

Job Guidelines
The Director's basic work week shall be fulfilled during the time that the Center is open to the public. There are instances when the needs of the Center are served in the form of community outreach by either the Director or the staff by representing the Center’s interests in civic, social, or educational activities inside or outside the Center. The Director should coordinate their time away from the Center during normal Center hours so that at least one staff member will always be on duty when the Center is open to the public.

Desired Skills, Qualifications, Attributes

• Shows a record of achievement in management and business acumen
• Demonstrates the ability to build relationships and lead collaborative initiatives internally and externally to leverage support for and participation in programs
• Experience developing or contributing to an organization’s forward-looking strategy, building the financial and operational support for its implementation
• Explores how local history is useful to the development of the community and the organization
• Communicates superbly and inspires the community through both powerful optimism and genuine listening
• Cultivates a supportive, respectful organizational culture and ensures a diverse and inspiring workplace encouraging innovation and collaboration
• Demonstrates and communicates passion for an organization’s mission, vision, strategic plan, and accomplishments with stakeholders, potential donors and funding entities
• Possesses a working knowledge of Google Suite, QuickBooks, etc., or desire and capacity to learn these and other software related to the position