Executive Director

The Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) offers an exceptional opportunity for a visionary leader to guide one of the state’s most beloved cultural institutions into its next era. We seek a dynamic and forward-thinking Director to preserve, interpret, and promote Washington’s rich history, inspiring a talented team and galvanizing partners to ensure the stories of our past shape the places we call home today and tomorrow.

With the five-year strategic plan nearing completion, the next Director will lead new strategic planning efforts that may include a capital campaign for a new collections facility, initiatives to increase access to Washington’s history, and a major redevelopment of permanent exhibitions. WSHS is an accredited museum, well-positioned to build on its strengths through ambitious fundraising and strategic partnerships. The next Director will bring vision, fundraising expertise, and the ability to build powerful coalitions, continuing a legacy of leadership that has made WSHS a trusted and influential voice in Washington’s cultural landscape.

About the Position: The Director is responsible for leading the daily and strategic implementation of WSHS’s mission. The Director is a visible public figure, expected to proactively engage with elected officials, other agency heads, and a broad array of community and philanthropic stakeholders. This position requires comfort navigating the connections between big picture policy and internal organizational decision-making.

The Director creates constructive partnerships with individuals, communities, foundations, corporations, tribes, state and federal agencies to build a wide base of support for the Society, including non-state sources for financing operations. The Director provides fiscal leadership to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability—leveraging public funding, private contributions, and earned income. This position reports directly to the Board of Trustees and maintains communications with the Office of the Governor.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage $15 million biennial budget, of which 30% will be secured from earned and contributed income (non-state) activities.
• Provide fiscal oversight, ensuring transparent and responsible stewardship of public and private resources, and alignment of budgets with strategic priorities.
• Direct outreach activities, including up to $10 million biennial capital projects for the Heritage Grant Program, Diversity in Local History Grant Program, and support services for heritage organizations statewide.
• Conduct fundraising meetings with individuals, corporations, and foundations in support of earned and contributed income goals and actively lead fundraising campaigns to support programmatic and capital priorities. • Direct a staff of approximately 70 employees working in two major facilities with a cumulative size of 160,000 square feet. Most employees are represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees labor organization. • Represent the agency in professional and community affairs before the legislature and in public speaking events across the state throughout the year. • Oversee development of interpretive themes for the Society’s major permanent and temporary exhibits. • Oversee development and implementation of public programs and K–12 educational programs offered onsite, online, and around the state. • Oversee care and maintenance of the Society’s buildings and other assets, including the Society’s extensive artifact and special collections

Desirable Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree and at least seven years of progressively responsible leadership experience working to engage staff and volunteers in a museum or historical organization setting. An advanced degree is a plus.

In addition, candidates should bring the following:

• Proven ability to develop and manage board, staff, and volunteers as a team, including demonstrated success working collaboratively with labor unions.
• Proven ability to build relationships with constituencies including donors, business and civic leaders, tribal nations and their members, foundations, and governmental institutions.
• Proven record of maintaining a financially sustainable organization, including oversight of complex budgets and diversified revenue streams.
• Demonstrated success in leading fundraising initiatives, cultivating major donors, securing foundation and corporate support, and engaging in capital campaigns.
• Knowledge of nonprofit best practices, including understanding of nonprofit financial management reports and tools.
• Knowledge of museum and collections-based institution best practices, including facility requirements, artifact preservation standards, and audience engagement standards.
• Knowledge of software, hardware, and other IT systems that support museum operations and digital delivery of interpretive content.

Compensation:
A salary review is currently underway. Washington State offers one of the most generous benefit packages in the nation. More information about benefits can be found here.

Washington State offers a total work/life package of pay, benefits, flexibility and workplace opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and out of life. Washington State is a great place to work, play, and be a part of a community. Washington offers a quality of life that is unsurpassed. From the high-energy urban center of Seattle, one of the nation’s top-ranked cities, to the more relaxed pace of our rural communities, Washington’s distinctive Northwest lifestyle blends a progressive, creative culture with a casual nature.

We are not accepting applications on this site.
Please use link below to apply: