Executive Director [National Museum of Industrial History]

The National Museum of Industrial History (NMIH) is seeking applications and nominations for individuals to serve as its Executive Director. For more than a decade, NMIH has withstood a number of organizational challenges and has now transitioned into a period of stability and future growth. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, NMIH is dedicated to telling the story of the achievements of workers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and managers.  NMIH preserves the history of industrial development from the 19^th century to the present by presenting the people and machines that built, transported, and defended America.  The executive director is responsible for all aspects of management and program development for NMIH, including, but not limited to, strategic vision and planning; budget development and management; research and collections planning; personnel supervision and administration; educational and public program development and implementation; community and constituent relations; fundraising and membership development; and relations with representatives of local and state government.

Located in the heart of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania’s historical industrial district, the NMIH will occupy Bethlehem Steel’s former Electrical Repair Shop (1913) now under Phase I renovation as a space for exhibitions and public programs. The museum will open Phase I of this facility in Spring 2016 and will showcase its nationally significant collection that includes artifacts from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, many of which were displayed at Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Exposition. The NMIH executive director will work with the museum’s Board of Directors to manage the construction project, recruit and hire new staff, and plan for a grand opening of Phase I in 2016.

The Executive Director position offers an opportunity for a person who can provide leadership, strategic direction, administrative management, and fundraising ability to fulfill the museum’s mission.  For more information about the NMIH, its mission, collections, board, and recent progress, visit http://www.nmih.org. The National Museum of Industrial History is an EEO employer.

Key Qualifications:

• Work experience in a museum, historic site, or archives with progressive responsibility.
• Fundraising experience including campaign planning and oversight.
• Management skills, including an ability to attract and retain a first-rate staff.
• Experience and understanding of object-based research.
• Understanding of innovations in information and communications technology.
• Ability to work with board members, staff, donors, media, government officials and the general public.
• Strong communication skills.
• Extensive professional connections.
• An appreciation and understanding of industrial history is desirable.

Education and Experience Requirements:

A graduate degree plus three years experience in museums or historic sites the field of museum or historic site management, library or archival management, industrial history, public history, and museum studies, or another field centrally related to the mission and activities of NMIH is preferred. A B.A. degree with graduate study and five years experience in one of these fields is acceptable.

Procedure for Candidacy:

All applications must be received by February 20, 2015. Please email your application to nmihsearch@gmail.com.  The application should include a resume with three references and a cover letter addressed to Mr. Charles Marcon, Chairman, National Museum of Industrial History, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Hard copies of application packages may be mailed:

Dr. Brent D. Glass

c/o NMIH Search

1921 Sunderland Place NW

Washington, DC 20036

To nominate potential candidates for this position, please send names and contact information to the addresses above, with a letter of support.