Executive Director [Lake Champlain Maritime Museum]

The application deadline is October 15, 2014.

We are seeking a dynamic, highly-qualified leader for the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.  On land, on water and underwater, LCMM offers an amazing array of programs, exhibits and learning experiences, underwater discoveries and lake adventures that engage people of all ages in the rich history and archaeology of Lake Champlain.  LCMM hosts over 11,000 people annually in its fourteen exhibit buildings and on its working waterfront in Ferrisburgh, Vermont.  The 1776 replica gunboat Philadelphia II is a favourite with visitors.  The Schooner Lois McClure has travelled over the last ten years to New York, Canada and Vermont, educating over 20,000 people per year about the lake’s history.  Innovative boat building, after-school rowing programs, On-Water ecology classes and teacher training are part of the mix.  Our Maritime Research Institute engages in world-class nautical archaeology projects, exploring and documenting the lake’s 300+ historic shipwrecks and other underwater cultural sites. . . . And then there are shipwreck tours at beautiful Basin Harbor and the Burlington waterfront, where you don’t get wet using remotely operated vehicle technology.

The Executive Director will play a key role in:

• Building a vision for the future that is both challenging and sustainable
• Leading with innovation and passion
• Keeping our programs and educational experiences robust and exciting
• Creating financial stability and sustainability
• Cultivating effective alliances with local and regional organizations, universities and other museums

Position is based at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Ferrisburgh, Vermont.

To apply, send letter of interest and résumé to LCMMExecApplicant@gmail.com.

Competitive salary and benefits.

The application deadline is October 15, 2014.

No phone calls accepted.

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is an equal opportunity employer.

www.lcmm.org

Job Description

LCMM seeks an Executive Director to provide dynamic leadership and in partnership with the board and key staff create a vision and strategic plan for the organization going forward into the future.  The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to refine, develop, and implement a progressive program for the Museum’s fundraising, exhibitions, boat-building projects and seasonal tours, nautical archaeology research projects, collections management, educational activities, and community outreach.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Works in conjunction with the Board to develop a sustainable strategic direction and establish initiatives to fulfill the mission of the Museum and increase local, statewide, national and international awareness and prominence.
• Directs the Museum’s operations, to include the alignment of development, education and public programming, finance, external communications, and staffing.
• Manages and leads the staff (full-time year-round and seasonal), volunteers, and consultants.
• Creates a strong financial backbone – balanced budgets, sufficient cash reserves, growing endowments, financial systems that allow for monitoring of financial status.
• Leads and participates in all fundraising and development activities, oversees grant writing and developing relationships with foundations, corporations, and individual donors.  Works closely with the Director of Development to implement robust fundraising activities and results.
• Serves as spokesperson and chief advocate for the Museum. Establishes strong partnerships in the community.  Enhances the Museum’s public image to expand interest and support.
• Directs the overall development of public relations and marketing initiatives. Develops an effective communications plan to raise the profile of the Museum.
• Manages, secures and maintains the property and facilities of the Museum, as well as the collections held in public trust.
• Advocates on important issues in historic preservation and underwater cultural resources on the local, regional and national level.

Desired Leadership Attributes

• Vision – visualizes the changes required for LCMM to continue as an exciting, robust, financially sustainable organization with excellent outcomes for long-term success.
• Leadership – nurtures a senior staff team that focuses on the best interests of the organization as a whole, understands the role of the team – and the individuals on the team – and follows the imperatives of the strategic plan.
• Passion for Mission – demonstrates and communicates passion for the organization’s core purpose – “to preserve and share the history and archaeology of the region”.
• Credibility – demonstrates honesty, sincerity, humility, and respect.  Inspires trust from the board, staff and key stakeholders.
• Judgment – recognizes the consequences of actions, accurately assesses the environment, applies appropriate discretion, draws upon relevant experience, and assesses and determines risk.
• Interpersonal Skills – builds appropriate rapport and effective relations both internally and externally.  Relates well to people of diverse backgrounds and exhibits genuine warmth and approachable behavior.  Listens carefully to understand the needs, intentions, and values of others.
• Strategic Thinking – cultivates a culture of strategic action, including recommendations on timelines and allocation of resources to move forward in annual planning and budgets.
• Results-Driven Mindset – improves and sustains organization’s performance, develops and follows through on priorities, delegates appropriately, holds staff accountable, and makes sound decisions.
• Demonstrated Success in Community Networking – develops strong community relationships to leverage good will, financial support, and program and service development.
• Financial Management Expertise – ensures that the organization maintains adequate reserves and accumulates sources of capital to invest in the changes needed in the future.  Understands and diligently attends to all budget and financial matters and can manage operations within budget constraints, including making hard financial decisions when required.
• Human Resources Management Experience – has the ability to attract, develop, and retain a diverse staff talent pool needed to meet and exceed organizational goals.
• Steward of Positive Organizational Culture – maintains and nurtures a culture that recognizes the strengths and talents of each team member, is open to change, encourages new ideas which challenge the status quo by asking “why not?”, and allows others to create organizational agility.
• Visibility – acts as “face of the museum,” to key external stakeholders and staff, assuring that a recognizable, consistent person is leading the organization.
• Fundraising ability – leads the development of strategic and innovative fundraising approaches to broaden the source and scope of revenues for the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum education requires a Bachelor’s degree.  Advanced degree preferred.
• The ideal candidate would have 10 years of experience in a museum, historic site or non-profit organization or business, preferably with a cultural focus.   At least four years at an executive or senior managerial level.
• Ability to provide strong leadership, vision and strategic direction.  Experience developing, with boards of directors, and implementing strategic plans.
• Demonstrated knowledge of standards and best practices for museums, nonprofits, or similar organizations, as well as a history of involvement in relevant professional organizations.
• Strong record of success in fundraising and audience development.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing and public speaking.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively, creating an effective partnership with the board of directors, enabling them to discharge their governance responsibilities and seek their engagement in sharing  their skills, expertise and work in pursuit of LCMM’s mission.
• Competence in managing museum operations, including personnel matters.  Demonstrated ability to supervise, as well as to work successfully with, museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies.
• Evidence of success in developing, managing, and growing an annual operating budget.  Strong business management skills.
• Excellent planning, time management, and decision-making skills.
• Willingness to work a variable schedule, including weekends and evenings, when needed.