What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director position at German American Heritage Center?
Executive Director | German American Heritage Center and Museum (Davenport, IA)
The German American Heritage Center & Museum seeks a full-time Executive Director to lead the organization that operates with a budget of $466,150 and 3.5 staff, supported by 35-40 volunteers and a community board of 15. The ideal candidate will be a visionary, resourceful, and creative museum professional with strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills who will advance the museum's impact while preserving and sharing German American heritage and the immigrant experience.
Title: Executive Director
Reports to: The Board of Directors
Status: Full-time 40 hours/week, flexible scheduling, weekend availability
Compensation: $60,000 - $65,000
Benefits: Employer-contributed Health Reimbursement Account (QSEHRA), 401(k) with employer matching up to 2%, two weeks paid vacation, flexible work schedule, additional benefits per employee handbook
Key Responsibilities & Duties:
Strategic Leadership:
- Establish and implement a strategic plan with the Board of Directors while managing goals within committees and communicating strategy with staff
- Provide both support and leadership to the Board of Directors
- Identify and orient potential board members; recruit volunteers for appropriate positions
Financial Management & Fundraising:
- Work with the board treasurer and finance committee to establish an annual budget, provide financial reports, and manage endowment accounts
- Develop and implement fundraising strategies, including grants, annual campaigns, sponsorships, major gifts, and special events; budget includes funds to hire a new full-time Development Director
- Support a culture of philanthropy through donor recognition, relationship development, and new donor cultivation
Human Resources & Administration:
- Hire and review staff members based on fair practices; establish yearly and quarterly goals
- Ensure effective organizational structure, policies, systems, and procedures
Community Relations & Marketing:
- Initiate collaborative projects with community organizations and institutions throughout the region
- Represent the organization at public events; implement outreach strategies
- Direct marketing and social media content; work with staff to write/edit quarterly news magazine Infoblatt
Exhibitions, Collections, Education, and Preservation:
- Oversee and maintain, with the support of staff and the Board of Directors, standards of excellence for collections, exhibitions, education, and historic structure preservation
- Create interactive exhibition content, implement new technologies, and direct multi-year programming
- Guide collections policies and visitor evaluation procedures
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in History, German, Art History, Anthropology, Education, Museum Studies or a related field (Master's preferred)
- 5-7 years of museum experience preferred, with strong fundraising and donor relations skills
- Proficiency in financial management, communication, organization, and Microsoft Office/Google Docs
Desired Knowledge and Skills:
- Strong interpersonal skills to work with and develop relationships with a wide range of individuals: staff, board members, visitors, donors, community organizations, and colleagues across the country
- Experience with Past Perfect, Constant Contact, Bloomerang, Canva, WordPress, and Facebook Business Suite
- German language skills and knowledge of German immigration or regional history
Working Conditions:
- Ability to work in an office environment with irregular hours, including evenings and weekends
- Physical tasks include standing, walking, sitting, climbing stairs, and lifting 20-40 pounds
- Valid driver's license required; occasional travel
About us:
The German American Heritage Center & Museum's mission is to preserve and enrich knowledge of the German immigrant experience and its impact on American culture. Our National Historic Site features permanent and rotating exhibits, an orientation theater, education stations, and a restored hotel room from the 1860s.
To Apply:
Send cover letter, resume, and references to: info@gahc.org with position title as subject.
Review of applications begins immediately; for full consideration, submit your application by May 1, 2025.
The German American Heritage Center and Museum does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation, in any of its activities or operations.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Application Question(s):
- Please submit a cover letter with your application materials
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Davenport, IA 52802 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Davenport, IA 52802: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $60,000 - $65,000