| Job Title | Executive Director |
| Reports To | Board of Directors |
| Employment Dates | Full time, Year-round |
| Status | Exempt |
| Salary | $110,000 and comprehensive benefits package |
Job Purpose
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum seeks an Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase serving the Champlain Valley community, as well as regional, national, and international visitors.
The next Executive Director will build on the significant accomplishments of a talented and dedicated staff providing a robust set of programs that include the Museum’s collections and exhibitions, research and archaeology programs, boatbuilding, on-water education experiences, and hands-on learning for visitors of all ages.
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is a 3-acre museum, research center, and educational hub with a dozen exhibits and buildings located in North Harbor on Lake Champlain. The Museum connects all people to Lake Champlain, inspiring them to learn from the past, build together in the present, and create a sustainable future (read more about the Museum’s vision and values) The Museum is nationally recognized for its underwater archaeology and maintains the Lake Champlain Underwater Historic Preserves for public dive access. Its Champlain Longboats program, a boat building and rowing program, is unique in the region. Codified in the strategic plan, the Museum has also committed to providing more access for all audiences to Lake Champlain and the region’s history and cultural assets through free admission and pay-what-you-can program fees. In the next four years the Museum will have the opportunity to mark the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal and the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War.
The next Executive Director will be a dedicated, visionary, collaborative leader eager to work with an expert, passionate team and strategic plan to advance the mission and programs of the Museum. Strengthening existing donor support, communicating with diverse stakeholders, building new sources of funding, guiding a growing organization, creating and overseeing a fiscally-sound budget, and expanding the Museum’s grant opportunities and other revenues are key elements of the position.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Advance the Museum’s goals, mission, and strategic plan to expand access to Lake Champlain, its history, as a critical natural resource, and an ecotourism opportunity.
- Guide the organization toward fulfilling its strategic plan while being responsive to new opportunities in a complex and changing global landscape.
- Actively maintain and develop relationships with donors, sponsors, and the local and regional community.
- Utilize existing and establish new support partnerships to secure funding for Museum programs, new initiatives, endowment.
- Travel as necessary to develop relationships, support, and projects.
- Serve as the leading spokesperson for the Museum, its mission, and programs.
- Work with the Board and staff to develop and advance the strategic direction of the Museum.
- Manage upward to ensure positive and productive Board relations, ensuring transparency, best-practices for Board development and governance.
- Oversee the preparation of Board materials for meetings and ensure accurate reporting and record keeping.
- Hire, supervise, and work with staff to shape and deliver programs informed by the Museum’s mission, vision, and values utilizing proper management and evaluation systems.
- Oversee the financial wellbeing of the organization with support from senior staff, finance, and the Board of Directors.
- Establish and monitor program and project timelines and budgets, working with staff to ensure goals, objectives and outcomes are met.
- Mentor and guide with empathy, ensuring trust and respect, and employing principles of servant leadership.
- Steward an organizational culture that prioritizes collaboration and teamwork in a professional work environment.
Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience in an appropriate field.
- 5-years of experience in a nonprofit leadership role or directing a department or division in a larger organization overseeing a budget, staff, and program responsibilities.
- Excellent management and organizational skills, a multi-tasker with the ability to oversee staff without micromanaging. Able to pay attention to details while focusing on big picture.
- Fundraising experience that includes donor relations, cultivation, grants, sponsorships, and donor development.
- Evidence of commitment to DEIA, through staff, board, and programs, that advance diversity and access initiatives.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to network and connect with audiences.
- A confident public speaker, an effective storyteller, able to assimilate content, goals, and history to build engagement.
- Creator of partnerships through positive relationships, collaboration, and compelling messaging.
- Proven success in strategic planning, setting goals, and achieving outcomes.
- Experience and comfort working with diverse constituents, partner entities, and stakeholders across a broad network.
- Proven success in sustaining and supporting successful programs, setting metrics of success and evaluation, and assessing ROI.
- Experience and effectiveness in community relations to build engagement and support.
- Commitment to education for all audiences and the Museum’s overall mission, and love of nature.
- Qualified candidates may come from a variety of nonprofit fields and other leadership experience including museums, the environmental, tourism or outdoor recreation sectors.
Working Conditions
- This position may include onsite, offsite, and on-water work.
- Work outside will occur in all weather conditions and may include evening and weekend hours.
- Although the Museum is seasonal, the Director’s work is year-round.
How to Apply
Applications due August 21, 2023.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, résumé/CV, and names of 3 references with their contact information and your professional relationship to them to: Dan Keegan, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Leadership Placement, dankeegan@museumleaders.com.
References will not be contacted without prior permission of the applicant.
Equal Opportunity Employment
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. The Museum prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.