Job title: Executive Director
Reports to: Board of Trustees & Executive Committee
Position type: Part-time (20-30 hours/week)
Position summary
The mission of the Wayne County Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and interpret artifacts and experiences that reflect the cultural heritage of the county for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Executive Director will plan and direct the operations and activities of the Wayne County Historical Society in conjunction with established committees and the Board of Trustees. The Director will be in charge of staff and volunteers and will manage the eight (8) historical buildings that comprise the institution’s campus. Applicants with experience in museum practices and nonprofit management are preferred and the Executive Director will be encouraged to partake in professional development opportunities. Any additional skills in fundraising, business administration, membership development, grant writing, event planning, and curation are a plus.
Responsibilities
- Supervise the day-to-day operations of the Society and manage staff, interns, and volunteers. Work with the Education Chair to manage docents.
- Work closely with various Society committees to maintain the museum’s collection, create exhibits, update existing interpretation, and plan programs and events.
- Help the Society strive towards museum best practices in all aspects of the organization as outlined in the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) Standards and Excellence Program (STEPs).
- Work with the Board to build a broad base of financial support through fundraising, membership development, and grant writing.
- Establish strong partnerships in the community and enhance the Society’s public image to expand interest and support. Utilize digital outlets including social media, email, and the Society’s website to enhance community outreach. Sustain meaningful communication with current membership.
- Attend Board of Trustees monthly meetings, member quarterly and annual meetings, and Executive Committee meetings. Prepare and deliver reports to Board of Trustees at monthly meetings.
- Demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development including, but not limited to, joining museum associations such as the Ohio Local History Alliance and attending webinars and conferences related to museum practice and nonprofit management.
- Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Trustees and/or Executive Committee.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in history, anthropology, art history, archaeology, or a closely related field.
- Museum or nonprofit experience preferred, but not necessary. Training opportunities will be provided.
- Excellence in interpersonal, written, and oral communication.
- Strong collaborative skills are a key to success in this position.
- Capable of working independently and leading group efforts.
- Strong computer skills with a working knowledge of PastPerfect and Microsoft Office, or their equivalents. Familiarity with various social media platforms is also a must.
- Grant writing and nonprofit financial management experience is a plus.
- Applicants who are self-motivated, creative, outgoing, organized, and possess a strong work ethic are well-suited for the position.
Compensation
Part-time position; 20 to 30 hours per week at $20 per hour. Potential for position to become full-time with benefits in the future.
Application instructions
To apply for this position, send the following materials in PDF format to: wchs.directorsearch@gmail.com
Include “Executive Director Application” in the subject line.
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages)
- Contact information for three (3) professional references, including email address and phone number
Application deadline: July 31, 2021
The Wayne County Historical Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person will be discriminated against in hiring or in any other aspect of their employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran/military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Page last updated June 25, 2021.
