POSITION DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of Salisbury House Foundation with primary responsibility for managing the organization’s day-to-day activities and operations, leading the organization’s fundraising activities, directing and coordinating the work of staff and volunteers, and serving as the chief visionary and primary spokesperson for the organization.
The Executive Director must be a proven, visionary leader with a deep understanding and appreciation for the historical and cultural significance of Salisbury House. He/she will be an entrepreneurial leader and communicator able to effectively convey the value of Salisbury House to the public and elevate its status as an important cultural venue. The Executive Director will actively pursue the organizational mission by providing innovative programming that meets and exceeds the needs and expectations of community stakeholders. The Executive Director will ensure that the organization is fiscally and programmatically sound, and oversee the continued restoration, preservation and conservation of the home and its collections.
The Executive Director currently manages a staff of 8 employees and an annual operating budget of $1 million.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Director will have ongoing responsibility to:
• With the Board and staff, lead the organization in setting overall direction and priorities. Develop and implement annual and long-term programmatic and organizational strategies and goals with particular attention paid to overall return on investment.
• Direct the organization’s financial management. Working closely with staff, maintain the organization’s financial well-being by developing sound financial policies and procedures and operating budgets. Provide the Board with updates and reporting that ensures effective financial oversight.
• In partnership with the Board and staff, establish and implement fundraising goals. Lead efforts to identify and cultivate individual, foundation and corporate donors and expand the donor base.
• Lead the organization’s administration management. Ensure good operational and human resource policies are in place. Provide effective oversight of the day-to-day operations ensuring all programs are professionally and efficiently organized and implemented.
• Recruit, direct, engage and motivate staff. Promote internal communication and coordination. Regularly evaluate staff performance and encourage and inspire professional development. Work to maximize staff and volunteer talents.
• Ensure the preservation, security, restoration and maintenance of Salisbury House, its grounds and collection. Establish and maintain museum policies.
• Develop opportunities to raise the organization’s profile in the community. Ensure an ongoing presence for Salisbury House through marketing, public relations, and the use of new technologies, public speaking opportunities, and community-wide involvement.
• Keep the Board informed of the status of operational goals, programming, staff and funding developments. Regularly engage Board members in the development of organizational policy, fundraising and community outreach activities. Keep well-informed about the Board’s activities and work to maximize Board talents and resources.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Proven managerial, administrative, fundraising, personnel management, and non-profit organizational experience; professional museum or cultural organization experience preferred.
• Experience in initiating and implementing educational programs.
• Experience partnering with, and reporting to, a volunteer Board.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to represent Salisbury House to a diverse public.
• Minimum B.A., but prefer advanced degree in related field; experience may substitute for an advanced degree.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Ideally, the Executive Director should be:
• Dedicated to carrying out the Salisbury House mission with a passion for art and culture;
• An innovator and visionary who can create excitement and energy around Salisbury House programs and encourage others to support the organization; persuasive and persistent in the pursuit of the organization’s goals; entrepreneurial, strategic, resourceful, and trustworthy;
• A team builder who understands how to motivate, direct, and build positive relationships with diverse personalities and work styles, and inspires internal and external collaborations. A leader who is able to delegate and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities without being autocratic;
• Well read; outgoing and open.
ABOUT SALISBURY HOUSE FOUNDATION
Salisbury House and Gardens’ was constructed in 1923-1928 as a 42-room Tudor-style mansion by successful entrepreneur and philanthropist Carl Weeks, founder of Armand Cosmetics. It is valuable for understanding the country house movement in America and the intersection of business and culture in the first half of the twentieth century. With nearly 10,000 eclectic historical documents, rare books and important objects of art from around the world, the Salisbury House reflects the cultural, economic, and social values in the United States between World War I and World War II.
Salisbury House is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was amended from local and state significance to national significance in 2005, with efforts underway to nominate it as a National Historic Landmark. In identifying the most important structures in Iowa over the past century, the American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter, named Salisbury House “Building of the Decade for the 1920’s.” The extraordinary integrity of Salisbury House and Gardens’ building, landscape, collections and archives make the mansion a significant national resource. Please visit the website at www.salisburyhouse.org.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested applicants should submit their cover letter and resume by Friday, January 30, 2009 to:
Leisha Barcus, Project Manager at priorityprojects.barcus@gmail.com. Include the subject line “Salisbury House Executive Director” or mail to:
Salisbury House Foundation
4025 Tonawanda Drive
Des Moines, IA 50312
Attn: Leisha Barcus, Project Manager
The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. |