Job Listing: Executive Director (Steamboat Era Museum)

Position: Executive Director

The Steamboat Era Museum, a regional history museum in historic Irvington, Virginia, seeks an energetic, creative, and goal-oriented leader with non-profit and development experience to serve as a full-time Executive Director (ED).

About the Steamboat Era Museum 

Since 1998, the Steamboat Era Museum has preserved and shared the stories of an era that transformed the Chesapeake Bay region. Lauded as a “first class museum,” and a “Chesapeake Bay treasure,” we are recognized for our “deep commitment to preserving the region’s history” and for sharing “previously untold stories” of the Steamboat Era.

The Steamboat Era Museum collects, preserves, and shares artifacts from the Chesapeake Bay’s Steamboat Era. Through dynamic exhibits and educational programs, our museum illustrates and interprets the important economic and lifestyle changes steamboats brought to Virginia and Maryland communities on the Bay from 1813-1962. The 1894 pilothouse of the Potomac was installed as a central and permanent exhibit in 2019 after three years of fundraising and restoration work.

With a beautiful exhibit space, archived collections, dynamic leadership, and dedicated supporters, we continue to build on our strong foundation by refreshing museum exhibits, broadening educational outreach, enhancing our community and on-line presence, and expanding our community of supporters.

Position Overview

The general responsibilities of the ED are broad, but focus on management and operation of the museum, development, and collection management. In conjunction with the Board of Directors (the Board), the ED undertakes long- and short-range planning, policy development, budget preparation and monitoring, and development of museum programs and services, including rotating exhibits. The ED manages one part-time staff member and volunteers who support the core work of the museum.

The ED represents the museum in the community, participates in community outreach and other events which increase awareness of the Steamboat Era and the museum, encourages volunteer engagement, and supports contributions of artifacts and funds.

The ED is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the mission and vision of the museum, reports directly to and works collaboratively with the Board, and is responsible and accountable for efficient day-to-day operation of the museum. The ED serves as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Board and Board committees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Director

Engagement, Philanthropy, and Grant Writing. The ED assists efforts to identify, pursue, and track fundraising and grant opportunities and make regular reports to the Board and relevant committees. The ED works with the development committee to ensure the appreciation and engagement of museum members and donors.

Planning. The ED supports Board and committee planning activities to achieve the museum’s vision and execute the strategic plan.

Fiscal Stewardship and Financial and Non-financial Records Maintenance. The ED is responsible for day-to-day financial management of the museum and maintains essential financial and non-financial records. The ED works closely with our Treasurer to ensure financial obligations are met and reporting requirements are complied with. The ED maintains museum utilization records and works closely with our volunteer Membership Chair to maintain accurate membership and donor records.

Facilities Management. The ED is responsible for the day-to-day management of the museum building, grounds, and equipment and ensures the safe and reliable operation of the museum. The ED ensures a proactive approach to maintenance.

Information Technology Management. The ED is responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of the museum’s hardware and software architecture to ensure uninterrupted continuity of operations.

Other Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Director

Museum Visitor Services. Working with the Museum Manager, the ED ensures the museum is open and staffed during posted hours of operation. The ED supports and coordinates, as required, the scheduling of group tours and the coordination of staffing for regular hours, special tours, and events. The ED exercises oversight of the museum shop, including shop purchases, inventory records, price-setting, and mandatory reporting. The ED ensures that all volunteers are trained, that staffing is sufficient, and that a congenial atmosphere and environment conducive for recruiting and retaining volunteers is maintained. The ED periodically conducts tours and educational programs.

Community Engagement. The ED develops and implements programs, community activities, and other events to further the mission of the museum and benefit the community. The ED represents the museum and engages the community through participation in community events.

Partnerships. The ED engages with counterparts at other regional and maritime museums to identify and develop opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and lending opportunities.

Brand, Communications, and Marketing. Working closely with the Engagement Committee, the ED promotes the museum, events, and activities, through a variety of media and ensures the website and social media accounts are dynamic and current.

Exhibits. The ED works with the Board and assigned exhibit project teams to develop and install exhibits for the museum and off-site venues, as appropriate.

Education and Programs. The ED works with the General Education Committee and Children’s Program Director to develop and implement adult, continuing education, and children’s programs.

Collections (Acquisition, Preservation and Conservation). The ED works with the Board to ensure that items donated or lent to the museum are appropriately reviewed, accessioned, conserved, preserved, cataloged, and displayed.

Event Planning and Execution. The ED supports planning and execution of special events, such as the annual Irvington Crab Festival.

Skills and Expertise Required:

• Experience in planning, philanthropy, and management in a non-profit setting.

• Proficient and capable of representing the museum eloquently and effectively.

• Strong people skills, specifically working with volunteers, a Board of Directors, paid staff, and consultants/contractors.

• Previous experience working with museums is desirable, but not mandatory.

• Familiarity with the PC Windows environment and knowledge of the following applications: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive. Experience with Affinity Publisher, CatalogIt, Little Green Light, QuickBooks, and LightSpeed POS is desirable.

• Adept at using social media, especially Facebook and Instagram, and AI tools.

Qualifications:

The ED will have a relevant bachelor's degree and 3-5 years' work in museum management or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, demonstrating the ability required to lead a non-profit organization. Experience in planning and development in a non-profit organization is an important qualification for this position.

Salary and Schedule: This is a full-time, salaried position with a compensation range of approximately $47,000-$54,000, commensurate with skills and experience, with bonus opportunities. While the role does not include benefits, the ED receives three weeks of paid vacation annually. The Executive Committee of the Board conducts an annual review of the ED’s performance prior to setting the budget for the next fiscal year.

During the off-season (December-March), the ED may reduce weekly hours from 40 to 30 without a reduction in pay. The schedule includes some evenings and weekends, with the flexibility to work in part from home in the off-season.

To Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume to:  Director@SteamboatEraMuseum.org

Steamboat Era Museum

PO Box 132, 156 King Carter Drive

Irvington, VA 22480

No phone inquiries please.

Equal Opportunity Employer.