Thoreau Farm Trust
Executive Director
Job Description

www.thoreaufarm.org

The Thoreau Farm Trust seeks a part-time (25 – 30 hrs/wk) Executive Director. The Trust recently completed an extensive restoration and rehabilitation of the Henry David Thoreau birthplace in Concord, MA. The site is now welcoming visitors for the first time in its history. The house is not a traditional historic house museum; rather the site is used to examine Thoreau’s forward-thinking ideas about life, nature, and civil responsibility, and how they relate to the challenges of the 21st century. The Executive Director will oversee all operations and continue to move the organization’s mission forward.

Board and Committees – Plan and participate in board and committee meetings, carry out board
directives, support board members in carrying out their duties, facilitate board development.

Fundraising and Finance – Manage all fundraising efforts for operating expenses, special projects, and capital needs; develop annual budgets, oversee accounts payable and bookkeeping; prepare books for annual accounting review.

Marketing and PR – Promote the site to attract visitors and cultivate support, distribute press releases, develop and implement an ongoing communications plan with donors and prospects, manage and create content for website and e-newsletter.

Building Management – Oversee physical care and maintenance of the building and grounds, work with contractors, respond to tenant issues and building emergencies, collect rent, negotiate leases.

Human Resources – Recruit, train, and manage paid interpreters and volunteers.

Relationship management – Manage relationships with donors, board, and tenants. Represent the
organization in the larger community and with town officials and other historic/cultural organizations.

Programming – Ensure positive visitor experience in accordance with the interpretive plan, plan special events.

Bachelor’s degree and five years of experience in non-profit management and fundraising preferred. Previous work in the museum field desired. The successful candidate will have: superior fundraising (particularly direct mail and grant writing) and marketing skills; facility with web and social media tools; the ability to create and manage budgets; the ability to think creatively and be self-motivated; organizational, interpersonal and communication skills; the ability to balance organizational vision with the management of day-to-day tasks; enthusiasm, energy and interest in history. Experience in program development a plus.

Send a cover letter and resume to nancy@thoreaufarm.org. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. Projected start date of June 15, 2011. www.thoreaufarm.org