Executive Director, Wethersfield Historical Society

Wethersfield Historical Society Seeks Executive Director

About Wethersfield Historical Society

Preserving and promoting Wethersfield’s history and culture to inspire people today and tomorrow.

Established in 1932, Wethersfield Historical Society (WHS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, membership-supported organization located in the heart of the largest historic district in the state. As Wethersfield was one of the first towns settled in Connecticut, the Historical Society provides rich insight on roughly 400 years of American history which helped shape the development of the nation. The organization hosts a variety of programs throughout the year on the history and culture of Wethersfield and holds a museum and visitor center, reference library, an extensive collection of over 7,000 objects, and an archival and research collection that draws people statewide. It has an active education program that includes evening and weekend lectures and concerts, in-school and on-site programs for youth, tours of the historic properties, and special events.

The Society owns one property – the 1793 Hurlbut-Dunham House – and is the managing entity of four town-owned properties: the Cove Warehouse, which is used as a seasonal museum focused on 17th-19th maritime trade; the 1787 Deming-Standish House, which houses a restaurant; the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, an 1893 former school renovated to serve as a welcome center, museum, gift shop, and meeting space in 1990; and the Old Academy (built 1801-1804), which serves as the Society’s headquarters, archives repository, and reference library.

Opportunity Going Forward

Wethersfield Historical Society’s executive director will take the reins at a time of both opportunity and challenge. WHS has many strengths to build from – a long-standing place in Wethersfield’s historical community, a competent and cohesive team of staff and solid base of dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers, unique and beautiful properties, and award-winning exhibits and archival collections that draw people statewide. Like many historical societies across the nation, WHS has faced declining membership and revenue as longtime supporters and volunteers age out. Yet, WHS has tremendous opportunities to revitalize its base by engaging Wethersfield’s wonderfully diverse community beyond the historic district, particularly young adults and BIPOC residents. Many locals hold fond memories of WHS’s educational programs and historical events from childhood, an interest that can be rekindled through thoughtful outreach and inclusive programming. Additionally, WHS’s historical database on people of color has the potential to offer a meaningful way to connect the town’s rich past with its contemporary community, fostering a deeper sense of belonging and shared history.

Key priorities in the first 12-18 months will be to:

• Closely manage WHS’ finances and increase resources: grow the donor base and strengthen financial contributions; identify new grant opportunities; increase the membership base; and explore potential partnerships that can provide both financial support and additional resources.
• Maintain and continue to improve WHS’ current operations: maintain its current strengths and make system improvements that streamline work and improve efficiencies.
• Build strong community relationships and partnerships: Maintain positive communication with town officials, strengthen community engagement, and deepen trust with community partners.
• Cultivate trusting relationships with staff, board members, and volunteers: spend time listening and learning to understand their strengths and how to best utilize them.
• Work with staff and board members to develop clear strategic direction and key priorities to guide day-to-day operations.
• Increase the number of volunteers to support operations and programs.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Director of Wethersfield Historical Society is responsible for the effective management of all operations and administration of the WHS office, and for the development and implementation of all its programs. Core duties include:

Fund Development

• Responsible for fundraising and creating the conditions for financial success utilizing the board and staff to develop and implement fundraising plans.
• Actively leads and oversees fundraising functions: appeals, membership, fundraisers, grants, sponsorships. Ensures all fundraising plans are executed with return on investment as a guiding principle.
• Builds and sustains donor relationships while seeking and cultivating new donor prospects.
• Prepares, researches, and writes grant proposals; manages multiple grant implementations, meeting deliverables to each grantor throughout the year.
• Trains qualified staff members on grant writing and management as development opportunities individually as well as for the organization

Institutional Communications and Operational/Strategic Operations

• Serves as Society’s primary public spokesperson serving as liaison between the Society and Town of Wethersfield, the local community, other museums and historical organizations and social and news media.
• Serves as the liaison between staff, board and committee members.
• Works with board members, and consultants if needed, on preparing and maintaining the Society’s comprehensive Strategic Plan. Ensures Plan is discussed and annotated on a quarterly basis.
• Works with board chair to identify opportunities to involve board members in Society activities.
• Manages personal workload based on shifting priorities, advising board chair when/if certain activities need to be moved out of priority mode in order that priority initiatives are accomplished.
• Oversees the management of the Society’s technology tools to better facilitate internal communication, information and data sharing, and external outreach and updates.

Staff Management and Development

• Hires, trains, supervises, evaluates, develops high caliber staff members, volunteers and interns and terminates staff members when necessary. Delegates appropriate tasks to staff members.
• Seek challenging and/or advancement opportunities for staff as their skill levels and expertise grows. Assist with staff development to assume greater/different responsibilities where appropriate.
• Ensures adherence to performance management policy whereby staff members receive ongoing discussion, development, performance feedback and evaluations relative to their performance.

Budget and Finances

• Prepares, administers, and reviews the annual budget working with treasurer and finance committee, providing monthly reports to the board for board meetings.
• Oversees bookkeeper who serves as staff liaison to Society’s auditor. Responsible for the review of financial documents and bill payment approval prepared by the bookkeeper, before sending them to treasurer for final reviews.
• Administers the leases from Town for the Deming-Standish House, the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, the Old Academy and the Cove Warehouse.
• Achieves the Annual Budgeted Income, Expenses, and resulting Net Income for the year.
• Serves as ex-officio member of all Society committees.

Program Management

• Administers Society activities and operations in accordance with its by-laws and policies on administration and personnel.
• Oversees Society and staff activities, including property opening, public/professional inquiries, society sponsored events.
• Oversees staff in acquisition and maintenance of Society’s collections which includes advising collections committee on accessions/loans.
• Engages in the development of changing exhibitions and the thematic interpretation of the Society’s historic properties.
• Oversees staff in planning and scheduling programs for the Keeney Memorial Center and the Society’s other historic sites; oversees operation of Keeney Memorial as Town Visitors Center.
• Oversees the maintenance and restoration of the Society’s historic properties.
• Oversees staff in developing the rental program for all properties.

Profile of the Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following capacities:

Passion for WHS' Mission: preserving and promoting Wethersfield's history and culture

• A background in historical museum management, development, or curation is a plus.

A Seasoned Nonprofit Leader

• Background in nonprofit organizational management with a track record in strategically managing an organization through change.
• A compassionate, approachable leader who demonstrates a unique blend of confidence, humility, and integrity; a track record in creating and sustaining a positive work environment.
• A strategic, visionary, and innovative leader who sees and leverages opportunities and is capable of guiding long-range planning.
• Experience working collaboratively with board chair, board members, and committees.
• A collaborative approach to managing staff; able to delegate appropriately, set clear standards, and be a decisive leader when needed.
• Strong organizing skills and ability to put systems in place.
• Property management background is helpful for overseeing facilities.

Background in Managing and Expanding Organizational Resources

• Solid understanding of nonprofit finances, able to strategically align and maximize resources.
• Experience in fundraising, cultivating donors and grantors, and building sustainable revenue streams.
• A track record increasing revenues through donor and grant development.

A Networker and Relationship Builder with Excellent Communication Skills

• An eager networker with a track record in building strategic, strong, and lasting community relationships and partnerships.
• An outgoing, energetic, and charismatic individual with emotional intelligence who can inspire excitement and drive participation.
• An effective and engaging communicator who can pivot quickly between different groups and styles of communication.
• Team-oriented, collaborative style with staff, volunteers, and external partners.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with a salary range of $90,000-$105,000, determined by relevant experience and qualifications. In addition to the base salary, WHS provides a benefits package that pays 75% of health coverage for the individual employee. WHS requires primarily on-site presence.

Application Process and Additional Information

Wethersfield Historical Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates whose identities have been historically underrepresented in executive levels, including people who identify as Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian or Pacific Islander, or people of color; people from marginalized economic backgrounds; and people living with disabilities.

A candidate must include a resume and a cover letter that describes how their qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of WHS. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Upload required documents to: https://eostransitions.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

This executive search is being conducted by Eos Transition Partners consultant Catherine Bradshaw. All submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential, and any questions can be submitted to Catherine at: cbradshaw@eostransitions.com.