Executive Director:
Location: Frankfort, KY
Salary: $60,000 to $70,000 per year
Preferred Qualifications: Significant experience in a management position at an historic site, museum, or other non-profit organization. Master’s degree or equivalent in museum studies, history, historic preservation, arts management, or related area preferred.
Required Qualifications: Three years’ experience at an historic site or museum and a bachelor’s degree.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits: Health Insurance, paid time off, professional development assistance, and flexible schedule
Schedule: 8 hour shift with weekend availability
Timeline: Accepting resumes through January 15, 2025. Assistance with travel expenses for finalists. The posting will remain open until the position is filled.
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Kentucky (NSCDA-KY) is seeking an Executive Director for Liberty Hall Historic Site (LHHS) museum, a National Historic Landmark on the Kentucky River in historic downtown Frankfort, the capital of Kentucky.
The Executive Director ensures that LHHS enacts its mission to serve the public by preserving collections and sharing stories that illustrate urban life in early Kentucky, examining the contributions of Senator John Brown and his family, and demonstrating the ways in which the people and customs of the past relate to the world today.
As the chief operating officer of the museum, the Executive Director inspires and leads the museum’s Staff; ensures the preservation of the site’s collections, buildings and grounds for future generations; promotes the production of stimulating programs that address the public’s diverse interests; develops budgets and oversees the judicious use of resources; fundraises, writes grants, and cultivates friends of the museum; deepens collaborative relationships with local and national history groups and communities; and works with the museum’s Board to understand and employ best practices for museum operations to move LHHS closer to accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).
Detailed Responsibilities
The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operation of LHHS, working with the Chair of the Museum Properties Committee of The NSCDA-KY Board, and in accordance with the institution’s strategic plan. Specific duties include the following:
· Leadership and Vision: Provides leadership and direction for the site by promoting relevancy to today’s audiences. Oversees, attends, and supports public events, programs, activities, and projects that involve the community and surrounding area. Monitors and reports to the Board on visitation numbers, trends, challenges, and proposes efforts to increase visitation numbers. Proposes strategic planning ideas to further the mission of the Site. Attends regular meetings of the Board and committees as needed and oversees Staff meetings. Creates and maintains positive relations with the Board and others who promote and assist in the work of the museum at top levels. Develops community relationships beneficial to the Site.
· Administration: Oversees all aspects of the museum’s daily operations. Supervises and evaluates the full-and part-time Staff (Curator, Education Specialist, Marketing Specialist, Bookkeeper, Administrative Assistant, Garden Curator, Gardener, and Tour Guides) and volunteers. Oversees the preservation and maintenance of Liberty Hall, the Orlando Brown house, support structures, museum collections, the Senator John Brown Library and Archive, and 4.7 acres of historic gardens and grounds.
· Financial and Facilities Management: Provides proper fiscal management in accordance with policies, procedures, and financial controls established by the NSCDA-KY Board. Prepares $473,000 annual operating budget for the Site and monitors income and expenditures to ensure adequate cash flow. Determines and authorizes operating expenditures and identifies needs for capital purchases. To assist in long-range-strategic planning, identifies ongoing financial needs for maintenance, preservation, conservation, staffing and educational programming. Handles purchasing, insurance, and licensing, and submits all special funds contracts for Board approval. Oversees Staff handling of facility event rentals at the Site. Manages two on-site rental apartments, including filling vacancies, collecting rent, and responding to tenant needs. Responds to any emergency situations at the apartments and Site.
· Fundraising and Development: Works with the Board and Finance Committee to ensure successful development campaigns and fundraising events and oversees Staff participation in these activities. Researches grant and funding sources and writes grant applications. Generates and supervises marketing efforts including the publication of an annual report.
· Curatorial and Education: Directs research to ensure that historically accurate and mission-based content is integrated into regularly offered interpretive and educational programs and published materials for the public.
· Advocacy and community engagement: Responsible for developing and maintaining community relations and involving the site in community programs. Participation in local historical societies, tourism organizations, consortiums, conferences, and other collaborative initiatives required at a consistent level.
To apply, please send resume to: lhhsdirector@gmail.com
I.D.E.A.L Paid Internship:
Application Deadline - March 31st, 2025
Liberty Hall Historic Site is a proud recipient of the 2025 I.D.E.A.L. Internship from the Decorative Arts Trust. This internship creates opportunities for students of color through new collaborations that promote a shift in the narratives and voices found in the museum field. It will focus on the decorative arts and object-based research, exhibitions, and educational programming.
We accept applications from any student in higher education from programs that include:
- Anthropology
- Archeology
- Art History
- History
- Historic Preservation
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Library Sciences
- Public History
The Internship begins in May 2025. Send Academic Resume & Writing Sample to: curator@libertyhall.org
Subject Line: I.D.E.A.L. Applicant
Volunteers:
Liberty Hall Historic Site relies on the support of volunteers who assist with many aspects of museum operations and garden maintenance. Volunteers who enjoy working with the public can assist with children’s and adult programs and special events. Those who prefer to help behind the scenes can lend a hand in the office and assist with occasional collections projects. Garden volunteers are needed for clean-up days and the annual planting of the annuals in May.
Volunteers receive:
- Free admission during regular tour hours
- Invitations to LHHS programs and the annual volunteer recognition event
For details or questions, please contact our Education Specialist, Elizabeth Bowling at: educator@libertyhall.org.