The Museum Association of New York (MANY), a statewide membership organization representing hundreds of museums, historical societies, zoos, botanical gardens and aquariums is actively seeking an Executive Director.   The “Vision” of MANY is to be a key resource for fostering healthy museums in NY.  MANY balances the offering of direct technical services with attention to policy issues and advocacy to strengthen and promote NY cultural institutions. This is an exciting time of growth for the organization, located in Troy, NY.  Membership and conference attendance is increasing annually, and the NYS Office of Cultural Education has contracted with MANY to provide increased professional development services to the field.

The overall responsibility of the Executive Director position is to provide leadership for the organization in all its endeavors and capacities, representing MANY in an exemplary way in government, fundraising, education and museum field arenas.  The Executive Director is responsible for administration and management, staff supervision, board relations, operations, partnerships, strategic planning, budgeting and public relations for the organization.

Minimum Qualifications: 3-5 years of related professional experience and proven success in a management/leadership role. A successful track record of working closely with board leadership.  Ability to form effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies and to work with and motivate a multiplicity of stakeholders, including corporate and legislative leaders.  Strong written and oral communication skills a necessity.  Experience working in or for the museum field, leading a professional organization, and/or working in the state legislative system is highly recommended.  A passion for and understanding of the core educational and economic role of museums and cultural institutions in NYS is a plus.  Salary commensurate with experience.  Benefits package.  EOE.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to: Suzanne LeBlanc:  sleblanc@licm.org or mail to:  Suzanne LeBlanc, President, Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Title: Executive Director

Category: Position is exempt, salaried full-time.

Effective Date: As soon as possible

Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience, paid bi-weekly.   Benefits include Simple IRA plan, paid vacation and access to medical coverage (see below).

In partnership with diverse museums, heritage and related organizations, the Museum Association of New York strengthens the capacity of New York State’s cultural community by supporting high professional standards, strong organizational development, and by providing advocacy, training and flexible information networks so that all may better serve their missions and communities.

The Executive Director provides innovative leadership, vision, and direction for the Organization and develops strategies that result in the consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. The Executive Director guides and facilitates the work of a geographically dispersed Board, implements policies approved by the Board, manages the Organization’s programs and operations, and represents the Organization to a variety of stakeholders.  The Executive Director performs the duties and responsibilities as listed below and others as identified by the Organization’s Board and assigned through the President.

The Executive Director’s duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Plan, formulate and recommend to the Board basic policies and programs that will further the objectives of the Organization.
  • Oversee the Organization’s office operations including the appointment and supervision of staff; contractual arrangements for services and consultants; and records management.
  • Develop and recommend an annual budget, in consultation with the Treasurer and Finance Committee, for Board approval and manage the Organization’s finances within the parameters of the Board-approved budget.
  • Seek external funding to support Board-approved projects; supervise development and submission of all grant proposals, and ensure that progress reports to funding organizations are submitted accurately and on time.
  • Oversee the design, development, promotion, implementation and quality of the Organization’s communications (social media, print),programs, products and services to assure that they are consistent with Organization’s mission and effective in their outcomes.
  • Working with the Board and the contract lobbyist, oversee all aspects of advocacy efforts at the State and Federal levels.
  • Serve as project director for Organization’s major grant-funded initiatives, as well ascontracted projects,performing duties as specified in the proposal and overseeing staff members and contractorsassigned to the project.
  • Work collaboratively with the Board and the Organization’s membership; oversee program development; monitor and evaluate programs; collect and disseminate statistical data about statewide service programs; provide regular reports to the Board and funding agencies on program and funding status.
  • Oversee the planning and administration of the annual conference and board meetings.
  • Provide services to members by responding to queries and overseeing the management of websites and lists.
  • Serve as spokesperson for the Organization representing the programs and point of view of the Organization at meetings, public hearings, public presentations, professional conferences and other opportunities for visibility and advocacy with the membership, government officials, funders, and the public.
  • Monitor the activities of federal, state and local governments and allied professions and organizations that are of interest to the Organization and report regularly on these to the membership.
  • Maintain effective relationships with allied organizations and professional associations.

 

The Museum Association of New York shall provide for expenses which are incurred in conjunction with the Executive Director’s work for the Organization, including, but not limited to, travel, office supplies, telephone charges, postage and shipping as adopted in the Organization’s budget.

This is an annual salaried position, regularly working weekdays (currently scheduled at 40 hours per week) but with flexibility of schedule required for travel, conference and workshop attendance, and public/partner liaison duties.

This position is based at the association office at the ArtsCenter of the Capital Region in Troy, NY.  Periodic travel is required throughout New York, with occasional travel out of state for conferences and development activities.  Mileage for personal automobile use is reimbursed at standard rates.

The Board President will evaluate performance not less than annually.  This is an at-will position, serving at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

Employee Benefits include observed holidays, paid vacation, sick and personal leave, Simple IRA plan and access to medical coverage as described below:

  • Holidays- New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’ Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Veteran’s Day, Christmas Day.  If a holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday will be observed as the holiday.   If one of the above holidays is observed while an employee is on paid vacation leave, that day will be counted as a “holiday” rather than a “paid vacation” day.
  • Vacation- 15 days/year.
  • Personal Days- 2/year
  • Sick Leave- accrue 12/per year, maximum accrual of 25 days/employee
  • Bereavement Leave – up to three days paid leave each calendar year if there is a death in immediate family.
  • Medical Leave – In compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act, family and medical leave is available under certain circumstances. The leave may be paid or unpaid. The employee may choose to use accumulated sick and personal leave to make this a paid leave.
  • Jury Duty- Should the Employee be summoned for jury duty, to serve as a witness or to provide other service to the courts, he/she will be paid their full salary for up to two weeks. The Employee must alert the Board President and Executive Committee upon receiving their summons.
  • Health Insurance- The Organization will provide the total cost of an individual insurance plan (as selected by the Organization).   Should the employee desire a family plan, the difference must be paid by the employee.   The employee is eligible for coverage on the first day of the month following his or her date of employment.
  • Retirement Plan- A 403(b) Plan has been adopted to provide all full-time staff with the opportunity to save for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis and to provide additional income for retirement. The Employee may begin making elective deferrals commencing on their date of hire. The Employee is eligible for employer contributions to the retirement plan, currently 3% of that full-time employee’s annual salary. This non-elective contribution is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors.

The Museum Association of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer.