Job Openings at WCHS
Position: full-time Executive Director
Summary: The Winona County Historical Society, founded in 1935, is a 501(c)3 non-profit that has long been considered a leader among county historical societies in Minnesota. It is one of the largest and most active organizations of its type in the state. The Society is governed by a board of 18 citizens, has an average annual budget of about $400,000, a regular staff of three full-time and three part-time employees, with additional seasonal and contract employees.
The mission of the Society is “To collect, preserve and interpret the human history of Winona County.” This is accomplished largely through an ambitious schedule of programs, events and exhibits throughout the year. The Society maintains three properties; the Winona County History Center in downtown Winona serves as the main headquarters for the exhibits, library and archives, offices, collection storage and meeting facilities; the historic Willard Bunnell House in Homer; and the new Rural Heritage Museum in St. Charles. The History Center underwent a $4.5 million addition in 2010 financed almost entirely from private donations. The Society has two endowment funds totaling about $800,000 and is in its third year of a 10-year $250,000 matching challenge grant for one of its endowment funds.
Terms, Hours and Compensation: The Executive Director is full-time and reports directly to the board. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation, family health, dental, contribution to 403-B program and life insurance. Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory background check. The Winona County Historical Society is an equal opportunity employer.
Description: The Winona County Historical Society (WCHS) Executive Director is the chief executive of the Society and, as such, is responsible for the general and fiscal leadership and management of the entire organization, including fundraising, exhibitions, collections management, educational activities, community outreach, programs, partnerships, properties and external relations. Above all, the Executive Director is charged with delivering on the mission and goals of the organization in a fiscally sound manner. This person plays a leading role, working closely with the Board and staff, in developing and articulating the strategic direction of the Society and in implementing the resulting strategies and initiatives.
Other job responsibilities include day-to-day direction to the organization, executing its short- and long-range strategies and plans and taking full responsibility for all operations. The Executive Director leads the development and marketing efforts and is often called upon to represent WCHS in fundraising, recruiting, and other public efforts. The Executive Director is expected to provide integrative leadership to staff for consistent direction, communication, organizational alignment and visioning.
The Executive Director develops appropriate administrative processes and procedures to inform the board and staff as to key decisions, meetings and information that aid in understanding outcomes. The Executive Director must interact effectively with many constituencies: members, volunteers, students, participants, funders, school and civic organizations, and local and state units of government. He or she is expected to take a leadership role in monitoring public history trends and recommending appropriate programming to keep pace with a changing environment. This individual must be a pro-active, visible symbol of WCHS. The Executive Director must have a deep passion for preserving history and an enthusiasm for passing that ethic on to others.
Some of the key issues and challenges for the Executive Director include:
Skills:
Minimum
How to Apply: Please email, in PDF format, your cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to: Judy Bodway, President jbodway@hbci.com
Please, no telephone inquiries.
Deadline: Applications will be accepted until January 25, 2019
Summary: The Winona County Historical Society, founded in 1935, is a 501(c)3 non-profit that has long been considered a leader among county historical societies in Minnesota. It is one of the largest and most active organizations of its type in the state. The Society is governed by a board of 18 citizens, has an average annual budget of about $400,000, a regular staff of three full-time and three part-time employees, with additional seasonal and contract employees.
The mission of the Society is “To collect, preserve and interpret the human history of Winona County.” This is accomplished largely through an ambitious schedule of programs, events and exhibits throughout the year. The Society maintains three properties; the Winona County History Center in downtown Winona serves as the main headquarters for the exhibits, library and archives, offices, collection storage and meeting facilities; the historic Willard Bunnell House in Homer; and the new Rural Heritage Museum in St. Charles. The History Center underwent a $4.5 million addition in 2010 financed almost entirely from private donations. The Society has two endowment funds totaling about $800,000 and is in its third year of a 10-year $250,000 matching challenge grant for one of its endowment funds.
Terms, Hours and Compensation: The Executive Director is full-time and reports directly to the board. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation, family health, dental, contribution to 403-B program and life insurance. Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory background check. The Winona County Historical Society is an equal opportunity employer.
Description: The Winona County Historical Society (WCHS) Executive Director is the chief executive of the Society and, as such, is responsible for the general and fiscal leadership and management of the entire organization, including fundraising, exhibitions, collections management, educational activities, community outreach, programs, partnerships, properties and external relations. Above all, the Executive Director is charged with delivering on the mission and goals of the organization in a fiscally sound manner. This person plays a leading role, working closely with the Board and staff, in developing and articulating the strategic direction of the Society and in implementing the resulting strategies and initiatives.
Other job responsibilities include day-to-day direction to the organization, executing its short- and long-range strategies and plans and taking full responsibility for all operations. The Executive Director leads the development and marketing efforts and is often called upon to represent WCHS in fundraising, recruiting, and other public efforts. The Executive Director is expected to provide integrative leadership to staff for consistent direction, communication, organizational alignment and visioning.
The Executive Director develops appropriate administrative processes and procedures to inform the board and staff as to key decisions, meetings and information that aid in understanding outcomes. The Executive Director must interact effectively with many constituencies: members, volunteers, students, participants, funders, school and civic organizations, and local and state units of government. He or she is expected to take a leadership role in monitoring public history trends and recommending appropriate programming to keep pace with a changing environment. This individual must be a pro-active, visible symbol of WCHS. The Executive Director must have a deep passion for preserving history and an enthusiasm for passing that ethic on to others.
Some of the key issues and challenges for the Executive Director include:
- Increasing local and regional public awareness of the unique mission and programming offered by WCHS so that it is broadly recognized and attracts people to the museum as visitors, volunteers, and donors
- Connecting more directly to the Winona County community to ensure the WCHS reflects their needs and it's contributions are recognized and valued
- Developing new fundraising strategies that bring in additional outside revenue from public, corporate, foundation, and individual sources; effectively balancing income and expenditures to assure financial health of the organization
- Review the organization to ensure all involved are working effectively together to address the WCHS's opportunities and challenges.
Skills:
Minimum
- Master’s in Museum Studies or related degree.
- Five or more years experience with a historical society, public museum, or similar non-profit organization managing a staff and dealing with all human resources related matters including hiring, evaluating, and terminating employees.
- Proven administrative, analytical, and strategic planning skills.
- Proven financial ability to organize and manage a budget and to monitor ongoing financial performance.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and community outreach with expertise in crafting public and private partnerships.
- Proven ability to work with individuals or diversified groups such as staff, board, government, business leaders, donors, and volunteers.
- Flexible schedule to attend evening and weekend activities.
- Ability to lift at least 40 pounds.
- Demonstrate an authentic passion and commitment for the museum field.
- Demonstrated record of being a self-starter, leader, team builder, and problem solver.
- Exceptional communication skills.
- Proven ability to effectively build relationships across a broad spectrum of personalities.
How to Apply: Please email, in PDF format, your cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to: Judy Bodway, President jbodway@hbci.com
Please, no telephone inquiries.
Deadline: Applications will be accepted until January 25, 2019