Job Listing: Executive Director (Rawls Museum Arts)

Executive Director – Rawls Museum Arts, Courtland, Virginia

Full Time / Salary: $50,000-$56,000

Rawls Museum Arts is seeking a dedicated, community-minded Executive Director to provide leadership for the museum’s artistic, educational, operational, financial, and community programs. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, artists, donors, community partners, and patrons to advance the museum’s mission and strengthen its role as a cultural resource for Courtland, Southampton County, and the surrounding region.

The ideal candidate will combine strong nonprofit leadership and administrative skills with a genuine appreciation for the arts and a commitment to making the museum welcoming, accessible, and relevant to the community. As the museum’s primary ambassador and public representative, the Executive Director will provide organizational leadership while overseeing programs, exhibitions, financial management, fundraising, communications, and day-to-day operations.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Provide overall leadership and day-to-day management of Rawls Museum Arts.
• Work with the Board of Directors to develop, implement, and evaluate strategic goals, policies, and organizational priorities.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and public representative of the museum at community events, meetings, presentations, and other public engagements.
• Build strong relationships with community organizations, leaders, and other partners.
• Develop organizational plans and evaluate programs and operations to identify opportunities for growth, improvement, and long-term sustainability.

Exhibitions and Programs

• Oversee and participate in the planning, development, and presentation of exhibitions, community programs, and special events.
• Provide organizational oversight of educational programming in collaboration with staff.
• Develop relationships with artists, instructors, performers, and cultural partners and support programming that reflects the interests and needs of the community.
• Evaluate program participation and community response to inform future programming.

Fundraising and Development

• Lead efforts to secure support through grants, sponsorships, memberships, individual giving, fundraising events, and other development initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, sponsors, members, funders, and supporters.
• Work with the Board to establish fundraising strategies and annual development goals.
• Identify grant opportunities and manage applications, reporting, and compliance.

 Financial and Administrative Management

• Manage the museum’s annual budget, financial operations, accounting, and fiscal priorities in collaboration with the Board and appropriate financial professionals.
• Maintain accurate financial records and monitor income, expenses, and financial activity.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit requirements, policies, contracts, and grant obligations.
• Oversee facilities, purchasing, vendors, insurance, administrative systems, Gift Shop operations, and other day-to-day needs.

Staff and Volunteer Leadership

• Supervise, support, and evaluate staff and contractors and provide clear direction and priorities.
• Identify staffing needs and support the recruitment, training, and development of staff and volunteers.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, collaborative, and professional organizational culture.

Marketing and Communications

• Develop and oversee marketing and communications strategy in collaboration with staff.
• Ensure effective promotion of exhibitions, programs, fundraising initiatives, and organizational news.
• Develop and maintain relationships with regional media and support effective public relations.

Board and Governance

• Work closely with the Board of Directors and committees to support effective governance and advance the museum’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Prepare reports and other materials for Board and committee meetings and keep the Board informed of significant organizational activities, challenges, and opportunities.
• Implement Board-approved policies and initiatives and provide recommendations regarding organizational needs and opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in arts administration, nonprofit management, business administration, museum studies, fine arts, or related fields.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated initiative, self-direction, and sound judgment, with the ability to identify priorities, solve problems, and make informed decisions independently.
• Ability to manage budgets and financial responsibilities, and prioritize competing responsibilities.
• Proficiency with or ability to quickly learn financial, database, website, communications, and other administrative software and systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to the arts and to building strong, connected communities.
• Ability to work evening and weekend events.
• Experience supervising staff, contractors, and/or volunteers.
• Experience with grant writing, fundraising, community partnerships, and nonprofit Board relations preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $50,000-$56,000, based on experience
• Benefits: Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, Mileage Reimbursement, Continuing Education Support
• Additional compensation may be earned based on the successful development and submission of grant proposals and resulting awards for operating support.

To Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter sharing why this role resonates with you and your experience. Include two professional recommendation letters.  Submit to rawlscareers@gmail.com by September 15^th.

RMA is committed to providing a welcoming environment for artists, visitors, volunteers, staff and community members and encourages qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.