The Executive Director, in partnership with a responsive and experienced board, is responsible for all aspects of the institution and oversees sustaining its excellence and broadening its impact. Responsibilities range from day-to-day operations to comprehensive plans.
About Rokeby:
Rokeby Museum is a National Historic Landmark located in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. The historic house is furnished with nearly 200 years of domestic belongings. Together with its nationally significant archive of over 15,000 family letters, the museum provides an intimate glimpse into the remarkable Robinson family of agriculturists, abolitionists, artists, and authors. The 90-acre site includes nine historic farm buildings and cultural heritage walking trails. The modern Education Center houses exhibitions, a museum store, and staff offices.
The museum's mission is to connect visitors with the human experience of the Underground Railroad and with the lives of the four generations of Robinsons who lived at Rokeby from 1793 to 1961. The museum is committed to serving as a center for advocating, exploring, and discussing contemporary social and racial justice issues.
Why you want to work here:
The director of Rokeby Museum can initiate real and lasting change in the institution itself and advance our mission in our local communities and state. Our resources hold enormous potential for a director of vision and creativity: a wealth of rare primary source material; welcoming colleagues, volunteers, artists, and experts in neighboring colleges and universities; untapped financial resources in the surrounding region; and an engaged, receptive public. Located in a thriving area between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, our region frequently appears on lists of the best places to live and work, offering a high quality of life and a vibrant cultural scene.
Responsibilities:
Leadership and Board Relations
The Executive Director collaborates with the Board of Trustees and committees to develop long-term visions and strategies. Duties include organizing Board meetings, setting agendas, and maintaining communication with the Trustee Chair and Executive Committee.
Development, Fundraising, and Fiscal Management
Key responsibilities include driving fundraising efforts, managing the annual fund campaign, overseeing financial operations, ensuring compliance with reporting obligations, and securing grant funding. Regular communication with the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair is essential.
Operations and Personnel Oversight
The Executive Director manages staff and volunteers, ensuring efficient operations. Responsibilities include payroll, tracking staff hours, compliance with employment laws, and supervising administrative tasks. The role fosters continuous learning through training and staff reviews.
Marketing
Key tasks include maintaining and updating the museum's social media presence, designing e-newsletters, updating website content, and collaborating on displays and advertisements. Developing marketing campaigns and designing brochures and leaflets for programming are also essential.
Exhibition Curation
The Executive Director plans and executes yearly seasonal exhibitions, updates the main exhibition's interpretation, and ensures the safe display of artifacts. Responsibilities include researching themes, planning layouts, and updating exhibition spaces.
Collections Management
Ensuring the long-term conservation of artifacts is vital. This involves monitoring environmental threats, identifying storage needs, and coordinating artifact cataloging and cleaning with staff and volunteers.
Buildings and Grounds
The Executive Director oversees the preservation of historic buildings, communicates with the Buildings & Grounds Committee Chair on preservation goals, monitors trails and outdoor spaces, and arranges maintenance services.
Outreach and Programming
As a community liaison, the Executive Director manages partnerships, cultivates donor relationships, and represents the museum publicly. Developing and implementing a yearly program calendar with the Education Programs Manager is also essential.
In summary, the Executive Director role encompasses leadership, financial management, operations, marketing, exhibition curation, collections management, building and grounds oversight, and community outreach, which are crucial for the museum's sustained excellence and growth.
Bachelor's degree in history, museum studies, or related field, or equivalent experience; Master's degree and three years of museum work experience preferred; Training and/or experience in business management, fundraising, marketing, and educational presentations; Demonstrated commitment to Rokeby's mission.