Work at the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Executive Director, Chesterwood Historic Site
Department: Historic Sites
Location: Stockbridge, MA
About Chesterwood
Chesterwood is a National Historic Landmark and a historic site of the National Trust. Located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, it is the preserved summer home, studio, and artist-designed gardens landscape of one of America’s most distinguished sculptors of public monuments, Daniel Chester French (1850-1931). French was the creator of our nation’s most recognizable and visited sculpture, the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Learn more Chesterwood
The National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States protects significant places representing our diverse cultural experience by taking direct action and inspiring broad public support. ? We strive to tell the full American story. Learn more Savingplaces
Chesterwood is a member of the Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Learn more Artistshomes
JOB SUMMARY
The National Trust seeks a dynamic leader individual with an entrepreneurial spirit and skill set to achieve/steer/advance the future vision of Chesterwood as a nationally recognized historic site and public museum, centered in the legacy of an internationally renowned artist, committed to activating its buildings, collections, and landscape for diverse audiences through innovative programming including the launch of a new artist-in-residency program. The Executive Director ensures that Chesterwood embodies best practices in historic preservation, interpretation, education, and in making history relevant to today’s audience by exemplifying justice, diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in all aspects of its operations.
This position reports to the Senior Vice President for Historic Sites located at headquarters in Washington, DC, and works in collaboration with other headquarters staff, especially the Historic Sites Department’s technical support positions in collections, finance, interpretation, education, and preservation architecture. This position also ? works with a site advisory council (versus Fiduciary Board) to achieve the site ’ s financial self-sufficiency and strengthen and expand connections at the local and national levels.
DUTIES
Leadership
- Develops a strategic vision for the site, that is sustained by interpretation, education, collections management, preservation architecture, and budget/finance.
- Leads the site to integrate Justice, Equity, Diversity, Access, Inclusion (JEDAI) measures site-wide and ensure metrics are tracked, targets are reached, and ensure timely maturation of the site in JEDAI practices.
- Supervises staff that manage a sustainable artists’ residency program and develops other earned revenue sources.
- Acts as spokesperson for the site, monitors site brand and messaging, and ensures alignment with National Trust brand and messaging.
- Leads fundraising to support the site and grow the staff.
- Models leadership for site staff, aligned with National Trust values and best practices.
- Works with the National Trust’s Historic Sites SVP and management team, site staff, advisory council, and greater community to create the Site’s strategic plan and oversee implementation.
- Continues to develop the site advisory council, including identification of needs, capacities, and recruitment materials. Lead ongoing council meetings, communications, events, and philanthropy by individual members.
Staff Management
- Creates an environment that produces a healthy workplace culture.
- Works with the Office of Human Resources to recruit, retain, and support the performance of employees.
- Supervises well-qualified and culturally diverse staff. Monitors direct reports’ productivity and performance, provides constructive feedback and coaching, and conducts annual performance reviews.
- Monitors and approves timekeeping and related budget for direct reports.
- Directs fundraising to support ongoing operations and expansion of the site’s long-term financial reserves. ? Works with headquarters ’ Development staff to ensure development efforts are aligned.
- Works with and continues development of an advisory council to achieve financial self-sufficiency and strengthen and broaden connections at the local and national levels.
- Works with Senior Site Manager and other staff that support development and outreach.
Marketing
- Develops and implements a plan to promote site programming at the local, national, and international levels through social media, group tour outreach, tourism bureaus, and new partnerships. Works with headquarters’ Marketing staff on major initiatives to ensure development efforts are aligned.
- Ensures robust social media presence and updated informative website, keeping up with available technologies and current site interpretations.
- Works closely with site staff to develop collateral materials, maintain the website, and develop and implement communications, sales, outreach, booking, budgets, and marketing plans.
Site Administration – Budget & Finance
- Develops and maintains a balanced operating budget, including tracking expenses and meeting revenue goals. Ensures that monthly and annual financial reports are completed in a timely and accurate manner, working with Senior Director of Sites Administration at headquarters.
- Ensures agreements and contracts are reviewed and approved in accordance with the procurement policies in the Employee Handbook.
- Supervises Senior Site Manager and other staff that perform administrative duties related to budget and finance.
Collections Management
- Oversees collections management activities in collaboration with the headquarters-based John & Neville Bryan Senior Director of Museum Collections.
- Works collaboratively with diverse cultural groups to utilize different research methodologies including oral histories and cultural practices to engage a diverse public to utilize archival and permanent collection.
- Oversees the creation of on-site and online exhibitions and creates innovative ways to make collections accessible.
- Takes charge of the site staff that are responsible for the stewardship and interpretation of objects on display as part of the historic furnishings and public spaces at the site.
Interpretation & Education
- Works closely with the Senior Manager of Interpretation and Education on updating tour scripts, exhibitions, and interpretive planning for Chesterwood to tell a more inclusive, nuanced, contextualized stories of the site and reach new audiences to help them see the humanity in one another.
- Collaborates with Director of Interpretation & Education at headquarters to achieve interpretive goals, have community impact and tell the full American story in connection to our Trust Sites.
- Builds visitation, engages new and repeat visitors, and expands revenue-generating activities.
Preservation – Buildings and Grounds
- Works closely with headquarters Senior Director of Preservation Architecture (Graham Gund Architect) and the on-site Senior Buildings & Grounds Supervisor to develop and monitor major repair or capital projects and ensure the maintenance staff’s work program is aligned with preservation standards.
- During emergency events, take appropriate measures to protect the property, staff, and patrons, and communicate to appropriate local emergency and HQ staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
- At least 8 years of professional level experience, including at least 5 years of experience in a leadership capacity. Prior work in the nonprofit/cultural heritage/museum/historic sites field is preferred, experience with artist related sites and/or artist residencies a plus. Relevance of experience and size and type of organization worked for may be considered when bearing in mind background/qualifications.
- Effective combination of work experience and studies, training, and/or certifications in fields related to business, non-profit management, museum studies, and/or cultural studies preferred.
- Commitment to and experience with implementing Justice. Equity. Diversity. Accessibility. Inclusion (JEDAI) initiatives. Demonstrable experience updating interpretation to tell the full American story. Demonstrated success in marketing to and engaging diverse audiences and partners. Connections within culturally diverse professional and social affinity organizations are a plus.
- Innovative spirit with a track record of problem solving through creative solutions.
- Proven direct fundraising success, including donor cultivation, grant writing, annual fund appeals, and membership development. Experience in capital campaigns preferred.
- Demonstrated success budgeting, staffing, supervising professionals, and leading teams to generate high quality results.
- Ability to manage key internal and external stakeholders and relationships.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization. Advanced project management and team-management. Ability to achieve results with limited supervision.
- Personable style with effective presentation skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to articulate the site’s mission to a wide range of audiences in a variety of ways.
- Proven ability to collaborate across departments to implement processes and achieve results. Track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with multiple stakeholders. Regular and reliable on-site attendance required. When working off site, the ability to work effectively in a remote environment, maintaining productivity and communications to meet deadlines and goals, is required.
- Bi-lingual language skills a plus. Ties to culturally diverse affinity groups, professional organizations, or related associations are a plus. Able to talk effectively about identities such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender in plain, specific terms as they relate to the workplace and cultural heritage.
- Proven ability to use technology and communications best practices. Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required. Familiarity with other software, including databases, a plus.
PAY & BENEFITS
This is a full-time, exempt level position, eligible for full benefits, including health, dental and life insurance, retirement benefits, and 3+ weeks of vacation, plus sick time, and holidays.
Hiring Range: $130,000 to $150,000 per year
The National Trust for Historic Preservation an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. The National Trust for Historic Preservation actively seeks opportunities to include members of these groups in its programs and activities.
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