Job Listing: Executive Director (Tudor Place Historic House & Garden)

Executive Director
Tudor Place Historic House & Garden

The Organization
Tudor Place Historic House & Garden (Tudor Place) is one of the iconic historic homes and gardens in Washington, DC, where its expansive landscapes, landmark architecture, and thousands of historic objects tell stories of the American Revolution, the founding of the Capital City, and the history of those who lived and worked here, provoke thoughtful inquiry, and serve as a gathering place for both our community in the Georgetown and for visitors from around the world.

Our new Executive Director will play a key role in shaping and leading our vision for the future, where Tudor Place can shine as a vibrant gathering place making history, culture, and community come alive. Rooted in Georgetown yet reaching a global audience, it will welcome visitors of all ages to explore the rich, complex stories of those who lived and labored here — from the original inhabitants of Georgetown to the Peter family who built and lived in the magnificent house that stands on the grounds today to the enslaved individuals whose legacies are indelibly entwined in its history.

With restored gardens, a renewed historic house, dynamic exhibitions, and a beautifully reimagined Visitor Center, Tudor Place will offer transformative experiences that honor the past and inspire future generations. A hub for education, dialogue, and discovery, its digitally accessible collections and innovative programs will deepen understanding of American history and connect with the urgent questions of today.

Guided by a passionate and diverse leadership team, Tudor Place will remain financially strong, creatively bold, and deeply rooted in the community. It will be a place where scholarship thrives, partnerships flourish, and every visitor — local, national, or international — feels welcomed, challenged, and inspired. Tudor Place will not just preserve history; it will make history relevant and alive for both current and future generations.

The Opportunity
Position:  Executive Director
Location:  Washington, DC
Reporting Relationship:  Reports to the Board of Trustees
Website:  https://tudorplace.org/

The Opportunity
The next Executive Director of Tudor Place will be a strategic, outward-facing leader who brings a dynamic vision for building on the institution’s strengths and values while expanding its national and international presence. With a deep appreciation for American history and the ability to make it relevant to contemporary audiences, the Executive Director will leverage Tudor Place’s remarkable legacy, historic architecture, and rich collections to inspire broader storytelling, inclusive engagement, and deeper community impact. They will advance Tudor Place’s mission by providing strategic leadership, overseeing day-to-day operations, and supporting a talented staff team. As the public face of Tudor Place, the Executive Director will cultivate relationships with partners, donors, and grantmakers—not only in Georgetown and Washington, DC, but across the country and beyond. A confident fundraiser and compelling communicator, the ideal Executive Director candidate will bring a strong educational background, a natural aptitude for networking and advocacy, and a collaborative spirit to lead Tudor Place into its next chapter of relevance, growth, and national visibility.

The ideal candidate will be a visionary and outward-facing leader who brings both strategic thinking and a passion for public engagement. At Tudor Place Historic House & Garden, the extraordinary legacy of a six-generation Georgetown family, an unparalleled collection, and the site's historic grounds offer not only a window into America's past, but also a platform for inclusive, resonant storytelling. The next Executive Director will embrace this rich history as a catalyst for deeper community connection, innovative programming, and expanded regional and national impact.

The Executive Director will be a key leader in shaping and guiding a dynamic, mission-driven team. This role offers the opportunity to recruit, inspire, and retain talented staff while fostering a culture grounded in collaboration, mutual respect, and shared purpose. The organization’s department heads have built a strong, cooperative foundation and are eager for a leader who can amplify their efforts. To succeed, the Executive Director will bring clear direction, cultivate aligned goals, and champion transparent communication. With the board’s high aspirations as a guiding compass, the Executive Director will be responsible for articulating a unifying vision and strategy that empowers the team and drives the organization forward.  This is an opportunity to shape the future of a beloved institution and its relevance in a broader cultural and civic landscape.

Key Responsibilities
The Executive Director of Tudor Place will lead with a collaborative and inclusive approach—cultivating a culture of mutual respect, open communication, and shared purpose across all levels of the organization. They will oversee the recruitment, retention, and professional development of staff, ensuring a supportive environment where individuals are empowered to contribute their best work. With a collegial and capable team already in place, the Executive Director will foster continued collaboration among department heads and guide them with clarity, transparency, and strategic alignment. A key responsibility will be to unify staff around a compelling vision that advances Tudor Place’s mission and aligns with the board’s aspirations, driving operational excellence from within.

At the same time, the Executive Director must be an astute relationship builder—recognizing that, while Tudor Place is uniquely positioned in the heart of Georgetown, there is significant opportunity to raise its profile and distinguish it within Washington, DC’s vibrant cultural landscape and beyond.  To elevate Tudor Place’s presence, the Executive Director will need to think creatively and strategically about external engagement: how to build meaningful connections beyond the neighborhood, identify and reach new audiences, and ensure the organization remains actively present in the broader cultural and civic landscape. This includes being intentional about attending events, cultivating partnerships, and developing systems for understanding and connecting with the individuals and communities Tudor Place seeks to engage more deeply.

Other primary responsibilities for the Executive Director include:

Strategy & Vision

• Work closely with the Board of Trustees to develop and communicate a clear vision and strategy for Tudor Place with short- and long-term time horizons
• Serve as a leader and mentor to staff, fostering a culture of growth, collaboration, and success

Fundraising

• Develop and implement strategies to grow Tudor Place’s endowment, operating budget, and overall financial standing to fund robust programming, expand and deepen the visitor experience and to maintain and conserve the house, gardens and collections as an example of best practices
• Expand and reach revenue goals for Annual Fund, Membership, and Spring Garden Party, and to attain funding for special projects, in coordination with staff, the Board and committees
• Develop and implement strategies for raising funds in support of an updated Master Preservation Plan, with a focus on major gifts, in coordination with the Capital Campaign Steering Committee and the Board
• Oversee the targeting of grant requests and the management of grants received

Governance

• Provide guidance to officers, trustees and committees of the Board; ensure that they are well informed on all activities of the organizations; promote transparency and encourage open communication
• Promote strategic planning by the Board and staff by coordinating planning processes, including planning retreats and the creation of annual museum-wide goals
• Work with the Board President to plan and conduct Board meetings; encourage meaningful discussion at meetings
• With the Nominating & Governance Committee, identify, cultivate, recruit and onboard new trustees
• Conduct periodic review of organizational policy and advise the Board on new policies or revisions to existing policies
• Assist the Board of Trustees in ongoing self-assessments

Operations & Administration

• Monitor and promote the organization’s fiscal health by working closely with the Director of Finance & Administration and Treasurer, including creating the annual operating budget, regular monitoring and reporting of income and expenses, and presenting audited financial reports to the Board of Trustees
• Ensure the organization has an appropriate and effective operational structure and is staffed to operate successfully
• Establish and maintain practices that encourage open communication, cooperation and satisfaction among staff; ensure that they have the information and support needed to make sound decisions and perform effectively
• Mentor and manage department directors to ensure optimal performance and common goals; conduct annual performance evaluations of senior staff and ensure that all staff receive evaluations and feedback regularly
• Fulfill responsibilities of department directors during vacancies and otherwise as needed; oversee initiatives to cross train staff in essential operations/duties
• Supervise the daily work of the Executive Assistant

Communications & Outreach

• Oversee the development of marketing and communications strategies, including branding initiatives, to strengthen Tudor Place’s identity and promote public awareness of programmatic offerings
• Continue expanding Tudor Place’s presence at local, regional, national, and international events; serve on appropriate boards and make conference presentations when possible
• With a designated staff member, serve on the Neighborhood Liaison Committee; represent Tudor Place at Advisory Neighborhood Commission, Old Georgetown Board and other community hearings and meetings
• Review all content for the Tudor Place newsletter and blog; contribute content for digital marketing and informational newsletters; oversee publication of Annual Report

The Candidate
This is a compelling opportunity for a leader who is energized by American history and skilled in making it relevant to contemporary audiences. The Executive Director will cultivate relationships with partners, donors, and grantmakers—not only within the Georgetown neighborhood, but across Washington, DC and beyond—positioning Tudor Place as a vibrant cultural resource and thought leader.

The Executive Director will set the tone from the top—providing steady direction, aligning internal efforts with strategic goals, and ensuring the organization speaks with one unified voice. As a visible and persuasive ambassador, the Executive Director must be skilled at communicating Tudor Place’s mission and impact to a wide range of audiences, including funders, partners, and the broader public. This clarity of purpose and consistency of message will be essential in advancing the institution’s relevance, deepening engagement, and unlocking new resources for long-term sustainability and growth.

The successful candidate will bring a strong educational foundation, demonstrated success in fundraising, and the confidence to make bold, persuasive tasks. As the public face of Tudor Place, the Executive Director will represent the institution with authenticity and grace, connecting with a discerning and sophisticated audience while broadening visibility and support. A natural networker and advocate, they will play a central role in elevating the institution’s profile, stewarding its legacy, and guiding its future.

Experience and Professional Qualifications

• Master’s degree in American history, American studies, museum studies or a related field
• Proven track record of leadership and a minimum of seven years of senior level experience with supervisory responsibilities in a historic house, history museum, art museum or related institution
• Demonstrated and documented success in fundraising and communications
• Demonstrated experience in grant solicitation and management
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and leadership
• Experience in the management of historic landscapes preferred but not required

Skills and Competencies

• Broadly inclusive people skills, an enthusiastic outlook, collaborative spirit, and good sense of humor
• Passion for the mission of Tudor Place and for taking a broad view of American history and our nation’s development, making sure there is a place for indigenous, African American, immigrant, women, and other histories
• Ability to communicate effectively and to direct effective communications, both in writing and verbally; excellent public speaking skills
• Ability to think strategically and to execute long-term planning and goal setting
• Robust financial experience including the development and administration of institutional budgets, fundraising for annual fund and capital campaigns, grant-writing, and oversight of capital projects
• Strong community awareness and the ability to work with diverse groups of stakeholders
• Experience in the development of exhibition plans, educational programs, collections care initiatives, and the scholarly expansion from notable historical resources
• Experience in management, operation and construction of facilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, Altru constituent management software and the ability to gain skills as needed in relevant technologies and software
• Ability to work with and seek help from others where additional strengths and skills are needed

Application Process

• Interested and qualified candidates are welcome to submit a resume and cover letter to:  TudorPlaceExecutiveDirector@KornFerry.com