Museum Director

Position Description: The Museum Director is responsible for leading and managing the Museum of the American Indian (the Museum) in alignment with its mission and the directives of the Board of Directors (the Board). This role encompasses board relations, organizational operations, financial performance, mission and strategy implementation, and community engagement. The Museum Director ensures the museum's successful operation, sustainability, and growth while fostering a positive and professional environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

Organizational Mission, Leadership, and General Management

• Ensure the mission of the Museum is successfully fulfilled through programs, strategy, and community outreach.
• Collaborate with the Board on strategic planning, and lead the implementation and evaluation of programs, fundraising, and administration.
• Oversee and implement the appropriate resources and administrative procedures to ensure the successful day-to-day operations of the Museum, including finance, human resources, information technology, marketing, revenue, education, and outreach.
• Maintain and preserve the Museum’s physical assets, including the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, the building, and infrastructure with the objective of creating a welcoming, accessible and inviting space for the community to gather and learn.
• Hire, train, and evaluate staff. Regularly meet with staff to support team and individual goals. Mentor and guide staff’s professional growth and development. 
• Support an organizational culture with a focus on clear and direct communication that embraces equity, generosity, compassion, and healing.
• Enhance and expand meaningful connections, partnerships, and alliances with various artists, organizations, and tribal governments throughout California to advance the Museum’s mission, vision, and impact.

Board Partnership and Relations

• Serve as a non-voting member of the Board, partnering with the Board to guide the Museum to fulfill its mission and vision. 
• Keep the board apprised of changes in the Museum’s financial, staff, and programming health. 
• Foster effective and open communication between the Board, Museum staff, and other stakeholders to ensure perspectives and concerns are fully considered. 
• Collaborate with the Board President and Executive Committee to create Board agendas, schedule regular and ad hoc meetings, retreats, and other gatherings.
• Ensure all committees are supported in achieving their goals; encourage Board members’  appropriate involvement in the Museum’s range of activities.  
• Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of new Board members.

Financial Performance and Stewardship

• Maintain and grow the organization’s financial health with a plan based on a Board-approved budget, tracking with transparency and accountability.  
• Manage finances to operate within the approved budget, ensure maximum resource utilization, and maintain a positive financial position.
• Co-sign, with the Board President, all notes, agreements, and other contracts on behalf of the organization.
• Manage external accounting and bookkeeping firms and auditors, and lead monthly and annual financial reviews with the Board.
• Ensure that permits, licenses, and insurance remain current. Ensure compliance with legal requirements for nonprofit governance. 
• Serve as primary liaison for the City of Novato, County of Marin, and other state and federal agencies.

Revenue Generation

• Develop and lead a comprehensive revenue strategy that will add to the organization’s fiscal health and fulfill the Museum’s mission, including individual and institutional giving, earned revenues, and public funding.
• Direct the Board’s engagement in fundraising efforts, including overseeing the Fund Development Working Group. 
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, and oversee the Museum’s membership program. Organize and lead fundraising events and campaigns to generate revenue and enhance community engagement.
• Identify and qualify new funding opportunities from foundations, government grant programs, and corporate sponsorships. Oversee grant writing and reporting processes, ensuring compliance and timely submissions.
• Maintain the Museum’s store through the development and purchase of merchandise that aligns with the Museum’s exhibitions, programs, and events. Coordinate all necessary inventories for special exhibits and museum events, and continually research new vendors for fresh inventory.

Community Building, PR and Marketing

• Advocate for the Museum’s mission and work to enhance the organization’s reputation, role, and recognition in the broader community.
• Represent the Museum at public events, conferences, and in the media, serving as the primary spokesperson of the organization and building meaningful connections with members of the media, local governments, and peer organizations.
• Collaborate with a wide range of peer organizations, Native-led nonprofits, and tribal entities to co-create culturally affirming and inspiring exhibitions, programs, and outreach activities that are relevant to Native American and Indigenous communities.  
• Create a marketing and communications plan for the Museum to ensure it reaches the widest appropriate audience using conventional and digital media.
• Develop and manage the Museum’s brand identity and branding efforts, including the website, social media, and printed materials. 
• Improve the Museum’s website & SEO functionality. 

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Leadership Experience: At least 5 years of leadership experience, including managing a team of employees and experience working collaboratively with a nonprofit Board of Directors, enabling effective committees and governance practices.
• Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Experience in community engagement or partnership development, especially as it relates to working with diverse and marginalized communities. 
• Fundraising Success: Proven track record of fundraising through various initiatives, including grants, donations, and sponsorships.
• Financial Management Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to manage an organizational budget with experience in financial planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Program Development and Execution: Experience in developing and executing culturally relevant programs, exhibitions, and events that engage diverse communities, with measurable outcomes of increased community participation or satisfaction.
• Public Relations and Media Skills: Strong public speaking and media communication skills, with experience serving as a public face for an organization and building its reputation regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• Strategic Planning and Implementation: Ability to develop and implement strategic plans that align with organizational goals and drive growth.
• Management Experience: Demonstrated experience in creating a highly effective and collaborative nonprofit work environment, systems improvement, and proven ability to recruit, lead, and develop staff, and build strong teams.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Leadership Experience: 7 or more years of progressive leadership experience in the nonprofit sector and/or cultural arts organization.
• Fundraising Success: Proven track record of raising at least $500,000 annually through various fundraising initiatives, including grants, donations, and sponsorships.
• Financial Management Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to manage an organizational budget of at least $500,000 with experience in financial planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Subject Area Expertise: Knowledge of the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001 (CalNAGPRA) legislation and compliance. Experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native/Indigenous populations including a demonstrated understanding of tribal consultation practices and processes.
• Subject Area Expertise: Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in creating a climate of trust and respect with tribal communities. Ability to foster cooperative relationships with tribal community members and co-workers as a member or leader of a workgroup.

Location: This is an on-site role, based at the Museum of the American Indian, 2200 Novato Blvd., Novato CA 94947.

Travel: May require some travel for conferences and site visits to schools and off-site classes/workshops. Travel expenses must be previously approved by Board for reimbursement.

Hours: This position meets the exemption requirements as defined by state and federal law. Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime pay. Hours are typically Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with some Saturdays and evenings for special programs and events. Staff are encouraged to utilize “flex time” when needing to work outside of regular hours

Compensation: In an effort to increase equity, because we know that salary negotiations tend to have an unfair bias, we do not participate in a salary negotiation process for any candidate. We will make our best offer, and it will be the same regardless of the candidate. The annual starting salary for the Museum Director is $110,000/year.

Benefits: The Museum offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, health insurance, and opportunities for professional development.

Note to All Candidates: Due to the nature of the Museum’s work, which includes interaction with children and youth you should expect to undergo and be cleared of an employment background/criminal check if extended an offer for employment. You also may be asked to provide proof of educational degree(s), licenses, credentials, or vaccinations relevant to the position.