Executive Director

Company: American Association for State and Local History
Location: Davenport
Posted on: May 1, 2025

Job Description:

Executive DirectorThe German American Heritage Center & Museum seeks a full-time Executive Director to lead the organization that operates with a budget of $466,150 and 3.5 staff, supported by 35-40 volunteers and a community board of 15. The ideal candidate will be a visionary, resourceful, and creative museum professional with strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills who will advance the museum's impact while preserving and sharing German American heritage and the immigrant experience.Title: Executive DirectorReports to: The Board of DirectorsStatus: Full-time 40 hours/week, flexible scheduling, weekend availabilityCompensation: $60,000 - $65,000Benefits: Employer-contributed Health Reimbursement Account (QSEHRA), 401(k) with employer matching up to 2%, two weeks paid vacation, flexible work schedule, additional benefits per employee handbookKey Responsibilities & Duties:

• Strategic Leadership:

• Establish and implement a strategic plan with the Board of Directors while managing goals within committees and communicating strategy with staff.
• Provide both support and leadership to the Board of Directors.
• Identify and orient potential board members; recruit volunteers for appropriate positions.
• Financial Management & Fundraising:
  • Work with the board treasurer and finance committee to establish an annual budget, provide financial reports, and manage endowment accounts.
  • Develop and implement fundraising strategies, including grants, annual campaigns, sponsorships, major gifts, and special events; budget includes funds to hire a new full-time Development Director.
  • Support a culture of philanthropy through donor recognition, relationship development, and new donor cultivation.
  • Human Resources & Administration:
    • Hire and review staff members based on fair practices; establish yearly and quarterly goals.
    • Ensure effective organizational structure, policies, systems, and procedures.
    • Community Relations & Marketing:
      • Initiate collaborative projects with community organizations and institutions throughout the region.
      • Represent the organization at public events; implement outreach strategies.
      • Direct marketing and social media content; work with staff to write/edit quarterly news magazine Infoblatt.
      • Exhibitions, Collections, Education, and Preservation:
        • Oversee and maintain, with the support of staff and the Board of Directors, standards of excellence for collections, exhibitions, education, and historic structure preservation.
        • Create interactive exhibition content, implement new technologies, and direct multi-year programming.
        • Guide collections policies and visitor evaluation procedures.Qualifications:
          • Bachelor's degree in History, German, Art History, Anthropology, Education, Museum Studies or a related field (Master's preferred).
          • 5-7 years of museum experience preferred, with strong fundraising and donor relations skills.
          • Proficiency in financial management, communication, organization, and Microsoft Office/Google Docs.Desired Knowledge and Skills:
            • Strong interpersonal skills to work with and develop relationships with a wide range of individuals: staff, board members, visitors, donors, community organizations, and colleagues across the country.
            • Experience with Past Perfect, Constant Contact, Bloomerang, Canva, WordPress, and Facebook Business Suite.
            • German language skills and knowledge of German immigration or regional history.Working Conditions:
              • Ability to work in an office environment with irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
              • Physical tasks include standing, walking, sitting, climbing stairs, and lifting 20-40 pounds.
              • Valid driver's license required; occasional travel.About us:The German American Heritage Center & Museum's mission is to preserve and enrich knowledge of the German immigrant experience and its impact on American culture. Our National Historic Site features permanent and rotating exhibits, an orientation theater, education stations, and a restored hotel room from the 1860s.To Apply:Send cover letter, resume, and references to: info@gahc.org with position title as subject.Review of applications begins immediately; for full consideration, submit your application by May 1, 2025.The German American Heritage Center and Museum does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation, in any of its activities or operations.
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Keywords: American Association for State and Local History, Iowa City , Executive Director, Executive , Davenport, Iowa