Executive Director - North Andover Historical Society

The North Andover Historical Society is seeking a dynamic  Executive Director to lead this well-respected, venerable, and prominent institution which has preserved, interpreted, and shared North Andover and New England history for over 100 years.

 

Founded in 1913 and headquartered at the Stevens Center on the North Andover town common, the North Andover Historical Society (NAHS) is a non-profit educational institution which serves as a center for community activity and education, and is dedicated to preserving, documenting, exhibiting and interpreting North Andover history, mainly through its collection of artifacts, multi-purpose Stevens Center, historical house museums, properties for historic and/or preservation purposes, and an archival collection of documents, visual materials, and objects made or used in the North Andover area from the 17th century onward.

Specifically, to achieve its mission, NAHS, and its related entities, the Center Realty Trust and The Brick Store Company:

 

•       Plays an important role in bringing history alive for children of all ages through its educational programs aligned with the core concepts of the Massachusetts Frameworks for Social Studies at various grade levels, as well as its summer enrichment program. 

•       Maintains its collections of over 11,000 artifacts, including photos, archival material, objects and books primarily used in research, educational programs, and exhibits.

•       Owns, preserves and operates seven buildings, including:

1.     Stevens Center (1960), featuring a historic exhibit wing, TIE (Technology, Innovation and Energy) wing, lobby Café (under construction), state-of-art 89-person theater, board room, bookstore, library & archives collections, and additional meeting rooms featuring full renovated kitchen

2.     Johnson Cottage (1789), which is the last surviving artisan’s cottage in North Andover’s Old Center.

3.     The Museum Building (1932) and lower galleries, featuring Founders Hall.

4.     The Parson Barnard House (1715), which incorporates exciting restoration techniques used to highlight the original construction and interior modifications.

5.     The Parson Barnard House Carriage Barn built during the early 19th century. 

6.     The Hay Scales Building (1833), located at the end of the Common, which has a history closely linked to the nineteenth century agricultural life of North Andover.

7.     The Brick Store (1829), a retail space in the town center which, when built, added an urban flavor amidst the smaller wooden buildings that surround it.  

 

A 501c(3) nonprofit corporation, NAHS employs a full-time Executive Director, three part-time staff members, a building caretaker, and is overseen by a Board of Directors, currently comprised of 8-12 civic and community leaders. The organization’s annual operating budget is approximately $300,000, its endowment/investments are approximately $2.4 million, and it owns property with a book value of close to $2 million, inclusive of its affiliated entities.

 

 

•        Vision: Work enthusiastically with the Board of Directors to achieve the goals/objectives set out in the Society’s Strategic Plan, which leverages the organization’s legacy and history, acknowledges the shifting demographic and engagement trends in historical societies and museums, and determines the best use of NAHS’s resources, most especially the Stevens Center and other properties. 

•        Leadership: Empower, support, and lead a team of dedicated staff and volunteers committed to achieving NAHS’s preservation mission and delivering exceptional programs. Collaborate with the Board of Directors to create the appropriate governance versus management balance that supports strong executive staff leadership and proper Board oversight.

•        Reach: Expand significantly NAHS’s visibility, educational programming, research services, community outreach, social media presence, and engagement to raise the institution’s profile, modernize its presentation, and expand participation in its programs. 

•        Sustainability: Develop and execute a fundraising plan to grow NAHS’s philanthropic and earned revenue support through a targeted combination of membership dues, individual and corporate donations (with Board partnership), and private and public grants, as well as legacy support through planned giving.

•        Community Impact: Creating deep connections with members, residents, regional and local community leaders, as well as the general public to create a welcoming, engaging, and inclusive culture in all of NAHS’s public engagements. 

•        Experience working in a similar organization, the not-for-profit sector, or a related field

•        A minimum of three years of administrative, supervisory, grants management, personnel and financial leadership experience

•        Experience, ability, and strong desire to be a public-facing leader

•        Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, public history, or related fields.  Master’s degree preferred.

 

The Executive Director must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and be eager to serve as NAHS’s primary spokesperson to proactively build and sustain relationships with members, visitors, the community, partners, and donors to benefit NAHS. The leader must be a consummate ambassador and networker who is politically savvy as well as an astute marketer on behalf of NAHS. The Executive Director must proactively, graciously, and regularly engage and welcome the community and publicly promote NAHS, so others become inspired to support its mission and vision and participate in its programs.

The Executive Director must be able to engage in “big picture” thinking, ultimately and collaboratively leading NAHS’s Board and staff to implement and improve NAHS’s Strategic Plan. The leader must be open to ideas and suggestions and confidently offer creative and innovative concepts and solutions of their own. The leader must be bold in their leadership, willing to challenge the status quo, encourage diversity and equity inclusion, able to collaboratively lead the entire NAHS community toward a revitalized future, and support the Center Realty Trust and Brick Store Company as they determine the prospects for their real estate holdings.

The Executive Director will have experience in and a strong desire to engage self and Board members in private fundraising and expansion of NAHS’s membership program, with the ability to create a vision and strategy for sustained philanthropic support aligned with NAHS’s mission and financial needs. The leader must be an eager and proactive fundraiser and recruiter of members, someone who is skilled at capitalizing on existing relationships and creating new ones to grow NAHS’s financial resources, most particularly through membership fees, individual giving, and private and public grants.

As the Society’s chief administrative officer, the Executive Director must be a fluid and collaborative multitasker, able to oversee the organization’s operations, finances, and personnel, decisively and efficiently aligning and maximizing resources to achieve NAHS’s strategic goals. Ideally, the Executive Director will be a trained and experienced museum professional who will ensure the organization adheres to museum standards, provide guidance, feedback, and leadership on exhibits and programs and offer feedback and guidance to other professionals on staff. Finally, the Executive Director also serves as the primary liaison to and proactive partner with the Board of Directors to engage it in effective governance, strategic planning, and thorough oversight.

 

An experienced manager of people, the Executive Director must inspire, develop, and empower NAHS’s relatively small yet highly committed staff and volunteer leadership. An active listener, the Executive Director must be a consummate professional, create a welcoming, collaborative and mutually supportive work culture and climate; display high levels of integrity and accountability; and approach the work with a sense of good humor, diplomacy, patience, warmth, care and considerable energy.

 

The Executive Director will support ongoing education for themself, staff, leadership, and volunteers.  The Executive Director should be energic about learning new skills that would benefit NAHS and themself, not see NAHS as a static organization, understand that change is constant, and should be an enthusiastic “lifelong learner.”

Detailed Job Description:  https://tinyurl.com/ED-NAHS

This search is being conducted by the NAHS Board of Directions, specifically a Subcommittee of Board volunteers. All submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential to the hiring committee. Interested candidates should submit materials to: 

Please include a resume, 2-3 references, and a cover letter with information regarding how you learned of the position, a description of how your qualifications and experience match NAHS’s needs and mission, and your salary expectations. Benefits include a health insurance package, 3 weeks paid time off, a matching retirement contribution up to 3% of salary, and the potential for resident housing in one of NAHS’s historic properties.

 

All submissions of candidacy will be accepted until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with experience, generally in the $70,000-$85,000 range, with flexibility. 

NAHS strongly desires to attract a broad and diverse pool of candidates to apply.  Unconventional candidates are also encouraged to apply; tell us how/why you think you would be a good fit to lead the North Andover Historical Society.