Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston, ED

The Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH), the only free-standing museum in the Americas dedicated to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and the principles of nonviolent conflict resolution, seeks a visionary and strategic Executive Director to lead the institution into its next phase of growth and impact. Opened in 2023, EGMH is a bold cultural and civic initiative designed to inspire individuals and communities to embrace the universal values of truth, nonviolence, peace, love, and service. The Executive Director will be a dynamic and mission-driven leader responsible for strategic leadership, fundraising, visitor development, and day-to-day operations. This is a rare opportunity to lead a new museum with a powerful mission and an ambitious vision for educational and social impact in one of the largest and most diverse cities in the nation.

Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston

The Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH) was established in 2002 as the Mahatma Gandhi Library and has evolved into a transformative civic and educational institution. Following years of successful programs, events, and outreach activities—including the citywide Mahatma Gandhi Week—the organization embarked on an ambitious capital project to build a permanent museum. Opened in 2023, the new 12,800-square-foot museum sits on a three-acre campus in southwest Houston and was designed by RDLR Architects with immersive exhibits created by the award-winning firm Solid Light.

The Museum is organized around three central themes: His Journey (Gandhi’s life and philosophy), Our Journey (the global influence of his teachings, including their impact on leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama), and My Journey (personal transformation and nonviolent action). Unlike traditional museums, EGMH does not house a permanent collection; instead, it offers a fully experiential and narrative-driven visitor experience. Through interactive digital displays, immersive storytelling, and engaging audiovisual presentations, the Museum encourages visitors to reflect on history and personal responsibility while exploring the transformative power of nonviolence. EGMH already welcomes approximately 7000+ visitors annually, with a focus on school field trips and youth education aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum. The Museum also offers adult education, public programs, and signature community events such as the Gandhi Birthday Celebration and the Pedal for Peace Bike Ride.

EGMH operates with a small paid staff of three including an operations manager and a staff assistant, over 36 volunteers, and a highly engaged Board of Trustees comprising eleven members. Its 2025 operating budget is approximately $440,000, with revenues from admissions, memberships, events, and donations. The $12.5-million capital campaign has raised over $9 million to date. A future endowment campaign aims to raise $3 million to ensure long-term sustainability.

Opportunities and Challenges

This is a pivotal time for the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston. With the successful opening of the Museum and strong early response from visitors, EGMH is poised for strategic growth in programming, fundraising, and visibility. The Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead the development of a new strategic plan to guide the Museum's future priorities and sustainability, and to:

• Lead a newly established museum with an inspiring mission and a strong foundation.
• Build visibility and partnerships across Houston’s richly diverse communities.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including major gifts, foundation support, and the launch of a planned-giving program.
• Expand educational offerings and deepen relationships with schools, educators, and families.
• Professionalize operations, including volunteer training, technology integration, and administrative systems.
• Serve as a visible and persuasive ambassador for nonviolence, civic education, and cultural dialogue.

Responsibilities and Expectations

The Executive Director will demonstrate a deep commitment to the values of nonviolence and civic education, and show accomplishments as a strategic thinker, team builder, fundraiser, communicator, and leader adept at translating vision into action. They will be expected to:

Leadership and Strategic Vision

• Provide strategic leadership aligned with the Museum’s mission, vision, and values, and facilitate strategic planning.
• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees to develop and implement short- and long-range goals.
• Serve as the face and voice of EGMH, communicating the principles of Mahatma Gandhi to internal and external audiences.

Fundraising and Financial Oversight

• Oversee financial operations, develop budgets, and ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Lead fundraising efforts, including major gifts, grants, donor cultivation, and special events, in partnership with the Board.
• Complete the remaining phase of the capital campaign in collaboration with the Board and key stakeholders.
• Work with the Board to launch and grow the endowment and planned-giving programs.
• Use innovative strategies to develop and grow earned revenue opportunities from gift shop sales, facility rentals, and special events.

Visitor Development and Communications

• Oversee communication strategies including social media, newsletters, and media relations.
• Promote Museum visibility through public speaking and community events.
• Uphold and advance the EGMH brand and mission across platforms.

Administration, Staff Management, and Programming

• Supervise and support Museum staff, including the operations and education managers. Establish performance goals, conduct evaluations, and foster a collaborative culture.
• Oversee volunteer engagement, training, and recognition.
• Enhance Community Engagement and Public Programming.
• Cultivate partnerships with schools, nonprofits, cultural organizations, and civic groups.
• Oversee the development and delivery of education and public programs, ensuring inclusive, mission-aligned, and impactful programming.

Board and Governance Relations

• Support the Board of Trustees in governance and committee work.
• Provide regular updates and clear communication on operations and strategy.
• Help recruit and orient new Board members as needed.

Experience, Skills, and Attributes

• Proven leadership experience in a nonprofit, museum, or mission-driven organization.
• Success in fundraising, working with donors, foundations, sponsors, and governmental funding sources.
• Strategic planning acumen; ability to oversee the annual budget, and articulate performance to the Board.
• Communication and interpersonal skills; comfort with public speaking and to media about the Museum.
• Experience in managing staff, volunteers, and organizational operations.
• Tech-savvy, with working knowledge of social media, office software, and database systems.
• Collaborative spirit and cultural sensitivity.

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this position.

Compensation

The salary range is $90,000 - $110,000 commensurate with experience, plus benefits package.