The Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities (SPLIA) is
the leading preservation advocate and resource on Long Island. SPLIA
has an extraordinary 60+ year history of pioneering preservation
advocacy, exhibitions, educational and publication programs on Long
Island culture, history and architectural heritage.

SPLIA oversees three historic properties, owns and expands what has
been called the strongest regional collection of decorative arts in
New York State, leads a continuing and active preservation movement,
runs a thriving highly regarded publishing program and maintains the
List of Endangered Long Island Places which is vital for raising
public awareness of endangered properties and for gaining support for
local preservation efforts.

SPLIA has an operating budget of approximately $1 million with 6 full-
and 4 part-time staff and more than a dozen seasonal and per diem
staff. There is a 27-person board of trustees. The Society¹s endowment
is approximately $12 million and includes general, board and donor
restricted funds.

For more detailed information on SPLIA¹s exhibitions, publishing,
education and advocacy programs please visit SPLIA¹s website at
www.splia.org.

THE POSITION

Reporting Relationships

The Director serves as Chief Executive Officer, is an ex-officio
member of the board and reports to and works closely with the
president and the board of trustees. She/he is responsible for the
management and coordination of the organization¹s operations, finances
and human resources. The Director will, in unison with the board, have
responsibility for developing and implementing all fundraising
activities.

Immediate Priorities

In the first several months of the Director¹s tenure she/he will
devote substantial energy to learning every aspect of the
organization. The Director will also become familiar with Long
Island¹s past and present and establish relationships with area
residents, businesses, cultural organizations, community leaders,
patrons and public officials. She/he will review SPLIA¹s Five Year
Plan (2012-2017) and make recommendations to the board concerning its
implementation.

Responsibilities

Providing the vision, leadership and strategic direction to
fulfill SPLIA¹s mission and ensure its long-term viability and
financial stability; administering day-to-day operations.
Working closely with the development committee of the board for
the planning and implementation of all of SPLIA¹s fundraising efforts;
cultivating relationships with current and potential funding sources;
developing initiatives and programs to increase new memberships and
retain existing members.
Continuing to develop collaborative relationships for SPLIA¹s
publication program; working closely with the publications committee
of the board on the selection of suitable publishing opportunities and
overseeing every aspect of their production.
Caring for and overseeing the use of SPLIA¹s collections comprised
of approximately 2,700 accessions and its three historic house
museums.
Working closely with the marketing coordinator/events planner to
formulate and implement a clear, consistent marketing identity and
communications strategy to generate support and acceptance for SPLIA¹s
preservation and advocacy activities.
Providing support to staff, volunteers and board committees to
enable them to properly perform their functions.

In the performance of these responsibilities, the Director shall:

Acquire a working knowledge of the issues relating to Long
Island¹s historic preservation, architectural history and zoning
regulations, and the financial tools available to historic
neighborhoods.

Ensure that SPLIA offers a balance of public education programs
(that are practical and interesting) and proactive advocacy
activities.
Provide a high level of energy and professionalism and infuse the
board and staff with enthusiasm and drive to advance the mission of
SPLIA; maintain and encourage open communication with staff and
trustees.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have director or other senior level
experience preferably gained at a preservation organization or other
similar not-for-profit organization. A master¹s degree in a related
discipline is highly preferred. In addition, the following experience
and qualifications are sought:

Experience and demonstrated ability to provide SPLIA with both
day-to-day and long-term strategic direction and to translate vision
into concrete action.

Demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with business
leaders, patrons and collectors; ability to raise funds; comfortable
making individual solicitations to private and public sources,
including existing and new donors.
Successful experience working with a board to encourage trustee
involvement and discussion and build consensus.
Effective public speaking and written communications skills.
Commitment to preservation principles and tools and a sincere
interest in their relevance to contemporary life.

Demonstrated ability to think strategically and make
recommendations for changes that will advance, with renewed vigor,
SPLIA¹s mission throughout Long Island.

Personal Characteristics

SPLIA is seeking a dynamic, forward-looking Director who will welcome
the challenge of implementing an ambitious strategic plan. The
individual must be flexible, politically astute and communicative,
with the courage to fight for preservation principles, keeping in mind
that even lost battles are opportunities for public education.

In addition, the successful candidate will:

Be a highly motivated self-starter with a hands-on work ethic.

Be a multi-tasker who is able to simultaneously manage a variety
of activities while staying focused on achieving overall goals; will
have a personal history of having established, communicated and
achieved goals.

Have a positive, can-do attitude and a sense of humor.

LOCATION

Cold Spring Harbor is a charming historic village of about 5,000
people on the North Shore of Long Island, in the larger town of
Huntington, Suffolk County. Cold Spring Harbor is 35 miles from New
York City and has a unique and rich educational and cultural life with
museums, galleries, performing arts, yachting and spectacular natural
resources throughout the area.

Address all inquiries and recommendations in confidence
to the retained search consultants (e-mails are preferred).
Please do not send printed catalogues or material.

Freda Mindlin or Nancy Kaufman
Opportunity Resources Inc.
196 East 75th Street, Suite 14H
New York, NY 10021
(212) 744-4409
search@opportunityresources.net
www.opportunityresources.net

Opportunity Resources has specialized for over thirty years in providing
search services to non-profit cultural institutions nationwide.