Senior Site Manager (Chesterwood)

JOB SUMMARY

This position increases the visibility and sustainability of Chesterwood by managing the daily activities of the Site, including work to preserve and interpret the Site. It also supports the transition of the organization into an artist residency center with a public component. When the artists residency program is ready to be implemented, it will build organizational capacity by increasing public awareness of, and participating in, Chesterwood’s new vision/mission and related programming involving artists living and working at the Site.

The position manages and develops diverse earned revenue streams including special property use (weddings, retreats, photo shoots), an on-site Gift Shop, and online retail sales. Supports all fundraising efforts including donor cultivation, grants, special events, and membership.

Day-to-day duties will entail the management of a broad range of communications, marketing, development and operational functions, including the management and supervision of all seasonal tour guides and visitor services associates, and all interns and volunteers. In the absence of the Executive Director, serve as point person for staff and as advisory council liaison, and represent the Site and the National Trust at professional meetings and public forums within the community and beyond.

Interaction with contemporary artists in relation to the annual outdoor sculpture show is a key role in this position and will be more emphasized as the organization is transformed to an artists’ residency center.

Also participate in the Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios Program of the National Trust, whose administrative home is at Chesterwood, as needed.

DUTIES

• Overall Operations: Examine all aspects of Chesterwood’s operations and implement best practices for Historic Sites in accordance with the NTHP standards. Research and implement efficient standards of operations and make improvements and suggestions as needed. These include the areas of Point of Sales systems, website improvements, invoice procedures, institutional calendars, and exhibition improvements. Open and close the site daily, and make sure the buildings are all armed and secured before leaving the property.
• Events Coordination: Responsible for the coordination and execution of all community engagement events, ArtsAlive! performances, institutional events, facility rentals, and more. Prepare and distribute Event Forms for all events and communicate proactively with the Chesterwood Teams to secure proper coordination and implementation of events. Make sure that all events are fully staffed for set ups, during event, and after for breakdowns. Make sure that all rental contracts are issued and executed for weddings or other rental opportunities. Follow up with all deposits and final payments in advance of events.
• Bus Tour Recruitment: Prepare and execute an annual tours recruitment plan for the site for regional and national tour companies. Develop marketing materials and proactively seek to increase tour revenue for the site. Produce invoices in a timely manner and secure payments from all tour groups.
• VSA’s and Tour Guides: Meet daily with the Tour Guides and VSA’s and update them on expected daily groups, bus tours, special events and more.
• Stakeholder relations: Manage the production of email blasts, e-newletters, website content and other marketing materials on-line or in print to inform donors and members of Chesterwood’s activities on a weekly and monthly basis. Work to increase outreach to the community and beyond, including the database of over 600 artists who exhibited in the contemporary sculpture exhibitions or worked on the Site as an artist-in-residence.
• Media relations: Promote media coverage of the Site and its events by working with the Executive Director, public relations consultants and NTHP’s Marketing and Public Affairs Office through website management and development, social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, as well as generating and distributing press releases and photographic images as needed. Write feature articles or assist freelancers in the production of articles. Establish and maintain contact with newspaper and magazine editors to inform them of promotional opportunities at Chesterwood. Act as liaison to all media representatives as well as local and state visitor bureaus and respond to all media requests for information, photographs or special tours of the Site. Organize interviews with Site staff as appropriate. Write new content for social media, edit current materials, and plan placement in coordination with staff. Work with Executive Director to increase visibility of the Site through enhanced efforts to release information to the press.
• Marketing Chesterwood. Develop and analyze market research with audiences to identify and act on trends that can increase visitation, participation, membership, and media coverage. Create and implement a comprehensive annual marketing plan and budget with approval of the Executive Director. Oversee development of materials promoting the Site, including purchase and placement of all paid and free advertising and notices, rack cards, brochures, posters, while also working with freelance graphic designer. Communicate marketing of site programs to staff; and determine media placement to appropriate audiences. As directed by Executive Director, serve as ambassador to area travel industry staff and ensure timely delivery of marketing and promotional collateral to hotels, resorts, visitor bureaus, and tourism organizations. Organize and conduct VIP tours, including introduction to the site to area civic leaders.
• Public Engagement. Stay current on interpretation of the Site, including bringing new, programmatic ideas to the public. Provide feedback and help guide program publicity to reach donors and new audiences. Generate and maintain robust partnerships with local non-profits and beyond.
• Reporting: Produce monthly reports on admissions revenue, gift shop revenue, tour revenue, and special events revenue for the Executive Director. Work together with the Business and Operations Associate to gather up-to-date sales data from CheckFront, TAM and other online revenue centers.
• Supervision of Tour Guides: Responsible for securing and implementing the training of all Tour Guides in accordance with the standards of museum interpretation. Work with the Executive Director and the Curatorial Researcher and Collections Coordinator to develop proper interpretations for exhibitions and collections items.
• Fundraising: Support the Development team in fundraising efforts. Serve as steward of donor prospects as assigned by the Executive Director. Participate in the planning and implementation of the annual fundraising gala event for Chesterwood.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 8 years of professional level experience, including experience in marketing/PR, development and public programming. Experience with budgeting, staffing, supervising professionals and leading teams to generate high quality results strongly preferred.
• Experience managing large, cross-functional projects and teams, preferably within a non-profit; experience in a museum or other arts & cultural setting is a plus.
• Demonstrated success in helping to develop and implement innovative programs and outreach.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization.
• Advanced project-management, team-management and client-management skills. Ability to achieve results with limited supervision.
• Experience coaching or leading staff, as well as successfully managing key internal and external stakeholders and relationships.
• Effective presentation skills. Excellent writing, spelling, grammar, and proofreading skills, as well as strong verbal communication and customer service skills. Strong organizational skills. Excellent attention to detail.
• Experience successfully managing key stakeholders and relationships. Proven ability to collaborate across departments to implement processes and achieve results. Track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with multiple stakeholders. When working in the office, public contact and ability to work successfully in close proximity to others required. When working off site, ability to work effectively in a remote environment, maintaining productivity and communications to meet deadlines and goals, is required.
• Demonstrated success in engaging culturally diverse colleagues and stakeholders. Bi-lingual language skills a plus.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently and respond to a high volume of ongoing requests in a timely fashion. Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment. Ability to work effectively with frequent interruptions required. Able to handle frequently changing and/or unscheduled tasks with accuracy. Entrepreneurial spirit and skill set essential.
• Proven ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required, as well as social media applications. Familiarity with other software, including databases, a plus. Experience in graphic design with associated computer programs are a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations or related field (or equivalent years of relevant experience) required.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Some travel required.

PAY & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt level position, eligible for full benefits, including health, dental and life insurance, retirement benefits, paid parental leave, and 3 weeks of vacation, plus sick time and holidays.

Hiring Range: $70,000-74,800 per year