Executive Director [Houston Museum District, Houston, TX]

The Houston Museum District’s 19 member museums serve approximately 7 million visitors per year through on-site attendance and outreach programs. The District is an important tourism destination, a vital educational resource and a major asset as Houston competes in the global economy.

The purpose of the Houston Museum District Association (HMDA) is to foster collaboration among museums located in and near Hermann Park and the Montrose area in order to promote the District as a cultural destination, publicize activities at member museums and support projects that enhance accessibility and create a sense of place.

TITLE:       Executive Director

REPORTS TO:    Board of Directors

DIRECT REPORTS:            Administrative Manager

Starting Salary:   Commensurate with experience.  Includes comprehensive medical coverage.

General Responsibilities:

To manage Houston Museum District Association (HMDA) operations, support governance by HMDA Board of Directors and represent the interests of the Association and its members by cultivating and maintaining numerous key relationships with City, State and other municipal entities, arts organizations, civic groups and media.

Duties:

Advocacy

1. Serve as a conduit for information between the City of Houston, State of Texas, governmental entities, elected officials, community groups (i.e. Greater Houston CVB, Hotel/Motel Lodging Association, Theater District, Economic Development & Tourism).
2. Maintain ongoing relationships with City Council and State Representatives and ensure members understand the hotel occupancy tax (HOT), how those funds impact District institutions and the way those funds are required to be utilized.
3. Recommend messaging and strategy to inform City Council/State Representatives of the Museum District’s activities, impact and value to the community.
4. Suggest or initiate ways to strengthen ties with the Mayor’s/Governor’s office.
5. Attend pertinent City, State or community group meetings where decisions could impact funding or policy (i.e. Houston First open board meetings; weekly City Council meetings, etc.)
6. Keep Museum District included in the ongoing conversations that surround the use of HOT funds; Mayor’s strategic cultural plan; and funding of emerging arts groups.

Funding

1. Request, track and report on use of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds for Museum District to City of Houston (City Council and Finance Department)
2. Write and prepare foundation proposals as needed (for instance Brown Foundation, Houston Endowment Inc., McGovern Foundation, Wortham Foundation,)

Cultivating relationships

The Executive Director maintains numerous key relationships:

1. State of Texas: Governor’s Office, Senators, House of Representatives, Texans for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, Texas Hotel/Motel Lodging Association
2. City of Houston: Mayor’s office, City Council members, City departments
3. METRO, Houston-Galveston Area Council
4. Management Districts:  i.e. Greater Southeast, Midtown, Montrose
5. Arts Organizations:  Houston Arts Alliance, Theater District, Miller Theatre
6. Civic Groups:  i.e. Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Houston Partnership, South Main Alliance and Museum Park Super Neighborhood
7. Media

Marketing

1. Oversee, monitor, and ensure consistency and accuracy of:
   1. Visitor information brochure
   2. Website and social media
2. Promote neighborhood improvements (area signage, pedestrian safety and  streetscape) with area partners.

Governance

The Museum District Board of Directors governs by electing board members and officers, naming and directing committees, adopting the budget, receiving the annual audit, from time to time amending the bylaws, establishing goals and policies and overseeing management. The Executive Director supports the board in its governance responsibilities by:

1. Organize agendas
2. Schedule and convene Board and committee meetings
3. Maintain records
4. Research issues and disseminate information to board members
5. Implement board decisions

Operations

1.   Hire and supervise staff

2.   Engage and monitor contract workers and consultants

3.   Create, monitor, and reconcile budgets

4.   Oversee financial systems and accounting functions

5.   Direct preparations for the annual audit

6.   Handle banking including reconciliation of monthly statements

7.   Administer insurance policies and lead the annual renewal process

8.   Proven ability to successfully work with multiple contractors on an on-going basis.

Qualifications

1. Minimum five years’ experience in not-for-profit or public agency management, including supervising paid staff and volunteers; experience working with a Board of Directors desirable.

2. Bachelor or Master’s in public policy, public affairs, public administration; not-for-profit management desirable; experience may be substituted.

3. Working knowledge of fiscal management, including fund accounting and budgeting.

4. Self-starter who is detail oriented and able to work with tight deadlines.

5. Demonstrated ability in problem-solving, creative thinking, clear and effective written and oral communications and effective group skills.

6. Computer experience with web-based applications a plus.

7. Personal stability, maturity and optimism.

Please send resume and cover letter to: searchcommittee@houstonmuseumdistrict.org.

Interviews will take place the last week of August.