Job Listing: Executive Director - Lee-Fendall

Lee-Fendall House Museum - Alexandria, VA

Closes - Open until filled

Position Title –Executive Director

Salary -  $55,000 to $65,000 annually

Job Type - Full-Time

Apply: Resumes and cover letters should be addressed to Kelly Jeffers, board chair, at contact@leefendallhouse.org 

SUMMARY

The Executive Director is an energetic, creative, and goal-oriented leader responsible for the general and fiscal leadership, operations and management of the museum. This includes overseeing development, membership, partnerships, budgeting, volunteer recruitment and management, public relations and marketing, programs, collections management, grant writing/administration, historic building preservation and maintenance, and special events management. 

The Executive Director is charged with delivering on the mission and goals of the museum in a fiscally sound and continuously relevant manner. The Executive Director must be a proactive and highly visible symbol of the museum in the community. The Executive Director must also have a deep passion for preserving the rich history of the museum, in promoting its continued relevance, and have the drive to achieve meaningful results. The Executive Director must be knowledgeable of the Lee-Fendall House history and its relevance to the community.  

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and receives an annual salary of between $55,000 to $65,000. The Executive Director is responsible for leading and directing staff and managing an annual expense budget. The Executive Director must have the ability to work closely with an active Board of Directors (comprising up to 15 members). The Executive Director manages approximately 30 volunteers who serve as docents and on established committees that support the core work of the museum.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director should be a visionary leader inspired by the story of the museum and the people who lived and worked there. Key to success in this role will be a revitalized fundraising program, focused on both annual operations and major gifts to support ongoing renovation and maintenance of the museum and garden. Cultivation of donor prospects, soliciting them for gifts, and stewarding these relationships are at the heart of this role. 

In conjunction with the Board, the Executive Director undertakes long- and short-range planning, policy development, budget preparation and monitoring, and development of programs and services. The Executive Director represents the museum in the community, participates in events which increase awareness of the museum’s history, expands community outreach, and performs duties which foster donation of relevant artifacts and funds to the museum.

Primary job responsibilities include:

• Financial Records, Reports, and Proposals: Performs ongoing financial management as well as long-term planning and reporting. Works with the Board of Directors to develop an annual budget. Works with treasurer to maintain all financial records and conduct an annual review.

• Planning: Responsible for strategic planning, as well as creating long-term, short-term, and annual goals and objectives for the organization, in partnership with the Board.

• Membership: Works to increase membership and define member benefits, and maintains member records on.

• Development: Sets goals for all major fundraising efforts, tracks totals, and reports to appropriate committees. Works with special event committees to create sponsorship levels as well as solicit and process donations.

• Supervise Paid and Volunteer Staff: Identifies, assigns, and supervises work of the paid and volunteer staff. Assures that all are appropriately trained and adequate staffing is maintained to meet the museum needs and objectives. Creates a congenial atmosphere and environment conducive for recruiting and retaining volunteers.

• Community Outreach: Develops programs, community activities, and appropriate meetings which further the mission of the museum and benefit the community

• Public Relations and Marketing: Serves as primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media and the general public. Promotes museum events and activities. Oversees marketing, web and social media presence, and other communications efforts.

• Grants: Identifies grant opportunities and works to develop government, non-profit, and foundation grants to support the operations of the museum. Responsible for appropriate monitoring of grants and required reporting.

• Facilities, Supplies and Equipment: Coordinates maintenance and preservation of the museum building, grounds, and equipment, and provides for safe and reliable operation of the museum. Maintains adequate supplies for the museum operation within budget parameters. Reviews, approves and oversees contracts for services.

• Museum Operations and Visitor Services: Regularly meets with staff to oversee coordination of all museum functions and services. Provides oversight and support to staff in scheduling group tours and coordinates volunteer staffing for regular open hours as well as special tours and events. May conduct some tours and educational programs. Maintains records related to utilization of the museum.

• Special Events & Rentals: Assists in the management of rental and internal events, from contracting to production and collection. Maintains working relationships with key vendors and partners.

• Exhibits and Collection: Works with the Program Manager to develop and implement exhibits for the museum. Ensures items donated to the museum are appropriately reviewed, accessioned, conserved, preserved, and cataloged.

• Records: Keeps electronic records in an orderly and accessible system and monitors regular file back-up. Maintains hard-copy files in an organized manner.

• Museum Shop: Provides final oversight on shop purchases, timing of shop activities, and setting of prices for the shop.

• Professional Development: Participates in educational activities and museum associations to keep abreast of the latest development in small museum and historical society management.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree in Museum Studies, Public History, Non-Profit Management, or a related field.

• A minimum of 5 years progressive non-profit professional management or museum experience

• Solid budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting

• Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation

• Strong writing and speaking skills, including serving as an articulate spokesperson 

• Demonstrated fundraising success

• Knowledge of Museum Professional policies, issues, and strategies

• A working understanding of technology and finance, including familiarity with PC environment and knowledge of the following applications: MS Office, PastPerfect, Humanitru, QuickBooks, and G Suite

• Demonstrated collaborative skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Knowledge of 19th century America, including decorative arts, is desired.

• Knowledge of preservation practices

• Ability to meet the physical demands of working and transporting materials in an historic building with non-standard stairs