Job Listing: Executive Director, Waterman's Museum

Name of Organization – Waterman’s Museum, Yorktown, VA

Closes – April 3rd, 2025

Job Title – Executive Director

Compensation – $50,000 to $80,000 (Pay Based on Experience and Education)

Type – Full-time

Apply –  All inquiries please forward a cover letter and resume to Carol Tyrer recruiting@watermens.org

Summary –  The Executive Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Watermen's Museum (Museum) in historic Yorktown, Virginia. The Museum is dedicated to providing an enriching and engaging maritime heritage educational experience for its visitors. The Executive Director will be expected to lead a dynamic team, oversee strategic planning, and champion the mission of inspiring curiosity, exploration, and lifelong learning. This individual will be responsible for managing the resolution of operational issues at all levels, including filling staffing gaps as needed, promoting the Museum through targeted community outreach, fundraising, leading in campaign efforts, researching and submitting grants, and creating beneficial partnerships with organizations and individuals. The Executive Director is expected to grow the museum year over year through these fundraising efforts and will be accountable for the financial growth and stability of the Museum.

Responsibilities –

Leadership:

• Provides leadership and management of staff and develops strong working relationships with the Board of Directors (Board).

• Facilitates communication, cooperation, and building of a cohesive work environment for all departments within the organization.

• Responsible for the administration of the overall operation of the Museum to produce measurable results.

• Develops and implements, with the Board, short and long-range plans and annual work plans with accountable actions.

• Leads fundraising efforts, grant applications, and donor cultivation to secure financial support for the Museum's programs, exhibits, and capital projects.

• Ensure compliance with all licenses and documentation for the Museum's 501c3 status and other legal requirements for operations.

• Identify areas of need and seek volunteer resources, educational resources, and professional development opportunities for staff and Board members.

Financial Management: In conjunction with Museum Treasurer

• Oversees all financial and accounting functions, including those necessary for timely monthly reports: payroll, budgeting, financial analysis, capital asset, and property management, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, Board policies, and other applicable nonprofit rules and guidelines.

• Makes financial recommendations: facilitates annual budgeting process with Museum Treasurer, provides timely billing/ chargebacks and bills, and translates detailed financials into summary form. Responsible for overseeing grants and vendor contracts, including timetables and results.

• Ensures all deposits and financial activities for the organization are tracked and dispersed according to schedule.

Facilities and Park Management:

• Oversees building operations, including computer systems, building security systems, maintenance and cleanliness, and safe use of the facility. Ensures premises are clean and parking lot operations serve public operations and private rentals. Updates, as needed, exterior signage. Prioritizes and recommends future building enhancements.

• Responsible for ensuring appropriate staff is in place during any/all hours of operation, with support from the Volunteer Coordinator.

Education and Programming: In conjunction with the Education Director,

• Work closely with Museum staff to oversee the development of innovative and engaging educational programs and exhibits that align with the Museum's mission and cater to diverse age groups and backgrounds.

• Responsible for oversight of artifacts, acquired objects, collections, and organization of them that are relevant to the mission.

• Plan, organized, interpret, and present exhibitions, lectures, tours, and outreach programs.

• In conjunction with Museum staff, oversee the recruitment, training, and coordination of Museum volunteers.

• Manages grant writing, donor communications, gift/grants, and evaluation activities in a timely manner. Builds relationships with current donors and seeks new donors.

Event Management Systems:

• Ensures all relevant rental literature and website are current and up to date. Makes changes as needed to help promote the main buildings and park to be used as rentable spaces.

• Works with Museum staff to meet goals set for rental program revenue and growth. Oversees policies and procedures enforced by event staff members to ensure successful contract execution and maximum profitability.

Public Relations and Marketing:

• Responsible for the development and implementation of marketing strategies and results, maintaining accurate and effective online and print marketing tools.

• Represents the Watermens Museum in its business relationship with the community and partners.

• Embodies strong interpersonal skills, including experience in public speaking, ability to build relationships with Virginia Peninsula and surrounding area governments, business and nonprofit organizations, as well as other relevant organizations such as contacts in the wedding and business meeting fields.

• Ensures smooth internal operations with staff via various internal software systems.

Personnel:

• Supervise and lead a small team of full and part-time employees. Responsibilities include oversight of all staff, including front desk, event, and building management staff; hiring, training, and evaluating employees; assigning and directing of work; mentoring, rewarding, and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

• Under the Board, performance reviews, salary increases within the budget, and staff development to ensure high levels of expertise and performance.

• Develop good working relationships with the Board and Committees.

• Ensures staff stays within hour restrictions, as determined by budget.

• Develop and execute a clear and compelling strategic vision for the Museum that is in alignment with its mission and goals while ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability.

Requirements and Skills:

• 4-year college degree, Master’s degree a plus, preferably in business, education, museum studies, or a related field.

• 10+ years in the education sector, preferably with at least five years focused on the business administration side of museums.

• Demonstrates a history of success in grant writing and awards, creating strategic business plans, and designing successful fundraising campaigns.

• Strong business organization skills, including creating and reviewing financial documents, creating and presenting key data points to the Board, writing accountability documents for grants awarded, and creating and adhering to budgets.

• Strong sense of accountability for all aspects of the role, including financial, personnel, strategy, and growth, as well as failures and losses.

• Excellent communication skills, including both writing and public speaking.

• Knowledge of all Microsoft programs, Excel, Constant Contact, and Square.

• Ability to conduct and attend meetings and events during and outside of standard business hours, including evenings and weekends. Ability to travel to "sister museums" and conferences within the US to improve relations and capitalize on innovative ideas and strategies for growth.

• Foster a culture of excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement among museum staff and volunteers, and act as a final approval point for all hiring and terminations at the Museum.

• Implement marketing strategies to promote the Museum and its programs, ensuring maximum visibility and participation.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators to measure the impact and effectiveness of museum programs and initiatives.