Executive Director

Executive Director Position

Organization Description
Bonanzaville is a museum and prairie village located in West Fargo, North Dakota, and committed to interpreting the history of Cass County, North Dakota. Run by the the
Cass County Historical Society (CCHS), the organization collects, preserves, and interprets the history of the county through exhibits in their museum and prairie village.

Position
Executive Director of the Cass County Historical Society-Bonanzaville

Position Summary
The Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive of the Cass County Historical
Society and reports to the Board of Trustees. S/he is responsible for the development, execution, and management of the Historical Society’s strategic goals as approved by the Board. The ED also plans, directs, monitors, and supervises all facets of day-to-day operations. Responsibilities include maintenance and preservation of buildings and grounds, personnel management, financial management, security, collections care and management, exhibits, programs, interpretation, educational programming, various types of planning, recruitment and training of volunteers, fundraising, identifying and developing community partners, marketing, development of membership, implementation of policies and procedures, and promotion of the site locally, regionally and nationally.

Primary Responsibilities

The ED will oversee the following:

• Financial Records and Reports: Performs ongoing financial management as well as long-term planning and reporting. Works with the Board of Directors to develop an annual budget.

• Planning: Responsible for strategic planning, as well as creating long-term, short-term, and annual goals and objectives for the organization, in partnership with the Board.

• Membership: Works to increase membership and define member benefits and maintains member records.

• Staffing: Identifies, assigns, and supervises work of paid and volunteer staff.

Assures that all are appropriately trained, and that adequate staffing is maintained to meet the museum’s needs and objectives. Creates a congenial atmosphere and environment conducive to recruiting and retaining volunteers.

• Community Outreach: Develops programs, community activities, and appropriate meetings which further the mission of the museum and benefit the community

• Public Relations and Marketing: Serves as primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media and the general public. Promotes museum events and activities. Oversees marketing, web and social media presence, and other communications efforts.

• Grants: Identifies grant opportunities and works to develop government, non- profit, and foundation grants to support the operations of the museum.

Responsible for appropriate monitoring of grants and required reporting.

• Facilities, Supplies and Equipment: Coordinates maintenance and preservation of the museum building, grounds, and equipment, and provides for safe and reliable operation of the museum. Maintains adequate supplies for the museum operation within budget parameters. Reviews, approves, and oversees contracts for services.

• Museum Operations: Regularly meets with curator/events to oversee coordination of all museum functions and services. Provides oversight and support as needed to the Manager of Education & Public Programs who schedules group tours and coordinates volunteer staffing for regular open hours as well as special tours and events. Conducts some tours and educational programs. Maintains records related to utilization of the museum.

• Special Events & Rentals: Assist in the management of rental and internal events, from contracting to production and collection. Maintain working relationships with key vendors and partners.

• Exhibits and Collection: Works with the curator to develop and implement exhibits for the museum. Ensures items donated to the museum are appropriately reviewed, accessioned, conserved, preserved, and cataloged.

• Records: Keeps electronic records in an orderly and accessible system and monitors regular file back-up. Maintains hard-copy files in an organized manner.

• Museum Shop: Provides final oversight on shop purchases, timing of shop activities, and setting of prices for the shop.

• Professional Development: Participates in educational activities and museum associations to keep abreast of the latest development in small museum and historical society management.

Traits and Characteristics
The board of the Cass County Historical Society is looking for a grounded, but visionary leader with good management skills to manage Bonanzaville. The board wants an executive director with the skills to grow the membership base, expand community engagement, and public outreach.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in History, Public History, Museum Studies, Non-Profit

Management, or a related field

• A minimum of 5 years progressive non-profit professional management or museum experience
• Solid budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting
• Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation
• Strong writing and speaking skills
• Demonstrated fundraising ability
• Knowledge of Museum Professional policies, issues, ethics, and strategies
• Demonstrated collaborative skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to meet the physical demands of working and transporting materials in an historic building with non-standard stairs
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Benefits and Salary Range
The salary range for this position is $50,000 – $65,000 depending on skills and experience.

To Apply
Direct cover letter with resumes by February 1, 2020

Bonanzaville – CCHS
Attn: John Lund 

1351 Main Ave West 

West Fargo, ND 58078

Anticipated start date of March 15, 2020.

Job Type: Full-time

Additional Compensation:

• Bonuses

Work Location:

• One location