Executive Director [The Gaylord Building]

The Executive Director of the Gaylord Building will serve as a visionary leader for the next phase of development of this historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, located in Lockport, IL outside of Chicago.  This is an extraordinary opportunity to join the National Trust at an exciting moment in its evolution, as the site’s staff and advisory council work together to develop and implement a strategic vision for the site that will ensure its long-term relevance and financial self-sufficiency. This work is a part of the National Trust’s broader effort to re-imagine its historic sites to be both culturally and financially sustainable.  The successful candidate must be an innovative and entrepreneurial thinker with a proven record of strategic planning and implementation, fundraising, strong management and communication skills, and a passion for the world of ideas, history, and preservation.

The Executive Director directs a small full-time professional staff assisted by a corps of dedicated volunteers, and reports to the Vice President for Historic Sites at the National Trust.  The Executive Director also has the opportunity to interface frequently with other senior management throughout the National Trust, including peers directing National Trust Historic Sites across the country.  Additionally, the Executive Director will be the primary liaison with the Gaylord Building Advisory Council, as well as a range of individual, foundation, and corporate donors and other community partners.

Site Description

More than 170 years ago, the creation of the Illinois & Michigan Canal was one of the great enterprises of the 19th century. The Gaylord Building, located in downtown Lockport, Illinois, played a vital role in the construction of this final link in America’s great water highway system.  In 1838, this handsome canal-side building was made of local limestone that was unearthed while digging the canal. Its many tenants and uses across its history exemplify the canal’s commercial success as the key to mastery of the American mid-continent. The Gaylord Building originally stored canal construction materials and later housed a variety of commercial ventures. In the mid-1970’s it became vacant and fell into disrepair. Between 1983 and 1987, however, the building was restored and today it is a national example of adaptive re-use serving as a gateway to the nation’s first heritage corridor, the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor. Guests can explore the history of the region in the exhibition galleries, and dine in the renowned Public Landing Restaurant.

DUTIES

Raise the profile of The Gaylord Building to reach new audiences

Serving as the lead advocate for the Gaylord Building, the Executive Director will work to strengthen its ties to the Lockport community and utilize a high level of knowledge and enthusiasm in non-profit management, communications, and fundraising to ensure that the site’s assets are well-maintained, used wisely, and actively and financially sustained.

Direct staff and volunteers

The Executive Director is responsible for providing excellent personnel management, offering timely and consistent guidance and performance feedback, encouraging professional development, and fostering an entrepreneurial team approach to all operations.

A local Advisory Council provides recommendations to the National Trust staff on issues related to the canal landmark. The Executive Director will work collaboratively with the Advisory Council and provide staff support, including preparing meeting agendas and minutes, reporting to the NTHP, acting on recommendations of the Council, etc.

Direct building and grounds, and tenant relations

The Executive Director ensures active and appropriate maintenance and conservation of the site’s real assets – its buildings, grounds, and collections – in accordance with the best practices of the National Trust.  The Executive Director directs relationships with tenants of the building, especially the Public Landing restaurant, by balancing needs of a successful local restaurant and gathering place with maintenance of a historic building.

Implement the National Trust’s Vision for Historic Sites

The Executive Director will lead the implementation of the National Trust’s “Vision for the Future of Historic Sites” for maintaining, using and promoting the Gaylord Building through the development and implementation of a strategic plan consistent with the goals of the National Trust.  The Executive Director will work closely with the Advisory Council on the development and implementation of this strategic plan.

Work toward a transformative visitor experience with new programs and partnerships locally and regionally

The Executive Director will work to implement programs and uses of the Gaylord Building to create a meaningful experience ensuring that visitors become even more engaged and committed supporters of the site over time.  This will require creating and implementing inspiring work plans for the financially sustainable, entrepreneurial use and interpretation of the site.  Connecting with the public through the nexus of the arts, culture, historic preservation, and business also will be essential.

Operate a sustainable financial plan

The Executive Director oversees the development of balanced annual budget and strategic operating plans; directs fundraising and business activities to secure funding for a sustainable operation; and utilizes reserve funds effectively – all through establishing funding partnerships, cultivating donors, and identifying and implementing new business ventures and revenue streams.  In close consultation with the National Trust, the Executive Director prepares and monitors the annual budget, providing excellent fiscal oversight, controlling receipts and expenditures, meeting budgeted financial objectives, and exercising delegated procurement responsibilities in compliance with National Trust procedures.

Ensure a strong, productive working relationship with leadership and colleagues at the National Trust and Advisory Council

The Executive Director will serve as the principal staff liaison for the Gaylord Building, and represent both the site and the National Trust at professional meetings and public forums within the community.  The Executive Director will also work in collaboration with a wide variety of National Trust colleagues, and participate in meetings, initiatives, and programs of the National Trust, including the National Preservation Conference and Historic Site Directors Meetings.  Key relationships within the Historic Sites Department at National Trust headquarters include the Vice President for Historic Sites, the Administrative Director, and the Graham Gund Architect; numerous National Trust colleagues in the Financial/Administrative, Legal, Marketing, and Preservation Divisions; and Executive Directors of other National Trust Historic Sites.  The Executive Director is also responsible for cultivating effective working relationships with Advisory Council members.

• At least 12 years of professional level experience, including at least 5 years’ experience with budgeting, staffing, supervising professionals and leading  teams to generate high quality results.
• At least 5 years of experience managing large, cross-functional projects and teams, including  demonstrated successful senior-level experience with non-profit management, business development, community engagement and/or historic site management.  Experience in program creation preferred.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and building relationships with boards/councils and potential donors, and raising capital funds for new businesses/programs.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit evidenced by comfort with a fluid, dynamic workplace that may involve utilization/lending of staff to/from other parts of the National Trust.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the values and mission of the National Trust.
• Advanced analytical and problem solving skills, including  issue identification and prioritization.
• Advanced project-management, team-management and client-management skills. Ability to achieve results with limited supervision.
• Proven ability to collaborate across divisions to implement processes and achieve results.  Track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently and respond to a high volume of ongoing requests in a timely fashion.
• Effective presentation skills.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience supervising professional staff, as well as successfully managing key internal and external stakeholders and relationships.
• Effective and inspiring team leadership skills, with a commitment to diversity, demonstrated by success in managing a varied staff with wide-ranging skill sets, as well as success in marketing to and engaging culturally diverse audiences and partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong public speaking skills.
• Proven ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required. Familiarity with other software, including databases, a plus.
• Ability attend meetings and participate in community events outside of regular business hours.
• B.A. degree  (or equivalent years of experience) required. Masters degree or equivalent experience required; in non-profit management, architecture, history, historic preservation, or equivalent from an accredited institution is a plus.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your cover letter and resume to: 244000-CS-11980@nthp.hrmdirect.com.