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Posted: March 25, 2011

National Quilt Museum

Paducah, Kentucky, USA

Type: Full Time, Experienced

Required Degree: BA/BS

Preferred Degree: Masters

Description:
The National Quilt Museum is at a pivotal point in its growth and development, and the new Executive Director will lead the institution forward into the 21st century. The Executive Director is the full-time Chief Executive Officer of The National Quilt Museum, and will be responsible for providing leadership and administrative oversight of the museum by maintaining the strategic vision and carrying out a plan of work to achieve the museum's mission. The Executive Director will lead the Museum's fundraising efforts and build personal ties with potential donors whose support will assure its future viability.

Located in Paducah, KY, the museum's mission is to educate, promote, and honor today's quiltmaker. The mission is accomplished through quality professional exhibits of fiber art year round, workshops, community events, publications, traveling exhibits and related activities.

Artistic objectives include: celebrating quilting and honoring quilt artists as part of an ever-developing art; educating the public about the art, history, heritage and diversity of quilts and their makers; demonstrating how quilting has changed from early traditions; and increasing recognition of quilting as an art form.

The Executive Director will provide leadership to the museum; develop a strategic plan to advance the museum's mission and objectives and to promote revenue, profitability and growth as an organization. They will oversee operations to insure efficiency, quality, service and cost-effective management of resources.

Scope of Position:
The Executive Director is the full-time chief executive officer of The National Quilt Museum, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, responsible for providing leadership and administrative oversight of the museum by maintaining the strategic vision of the museum and carrying out a plan of work to achieve the museum's mission.

The Executive Director has the overall responsibility for museum operations: Plan, organize, direct, supervise and coordinate the operations and activities of the museum.

Develop and maintain productive working relationship with the Board of Directors and work with the board to carry out the strategic plan. Support, advise and inform the board of operational and environmental circumstances affecting the museum. Work with the board to ensure the museum's success.

Communicate the policies, goals, mission and vision of the organization to the staff. Provide strategic vision for the organization including short-term, mid-term, and long-term planning.

Define and implement staffing plan: recruit, select, maintain and supervise staff.

Develop recommended budget to present to the board. Track financial status and maintain prudent spending.

Maintain quality of operations and artistic oversight assuring a growing collection of the worlds best quilts, outstanding exhibits, and world-class instructional classes.

Direct a marketing program that builds on the Museum's reputation as the nation's premier Quilt Museum.

Gain and maintain a current knowledge of the world of quilting including quiltmakers, quilt instructors, current trends, keeping abreast of other quilt museums, exhibits, and activities.

Serve as museum spokesperson to the local community, the media, and the international quilting community.

Build and maintain close ties with constituents important to the future of the Museum including elected officials, state and local grant agencies, tourism officials and businesses, potential donors, quilting businesses, quilting artists and instructors, guilds, the Paducah arts community, and the international quilting community.

Lead the Museum's fundraising efforts and build personal ties with potential donors whose support will assure its future viability.

Educational Requirements:
Minimum Bachelor's degree in education, arts administration, business administration, management, humanities, or related field.

An advanced degree in arts or MBA is desirable.

Skills:
• Excellent communication skills with a strong ability to communicate with diverse groups, including making presentations to various constituencies.
• Collaborative and cooperative personality with the ability to maintain the support and enthusiasm of a highly skilled staff and a vital cadre of volunteers.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial reports and legal documents.
• Ability to represent the museum well to a variety of groups.
• Experience in working closely with local, regional, national and international media, tourism officials, elected officials, etc. to promote museum programming.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with local, regional and national arts, cultural and educational organizations, the public, donors, governmental agencies and officials that provide funding, civic groups, schools, museum visitors, volunteers, and other constituencies.
• Ability to operate without secretarial support using word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.

• Experience or general knowledge of facilities management and maintenance.

• Experience in grant writing.
• Experience in fundraising/foundations/development.

• Quilting or museum management background is a plus
• Strategic planning and execution experience

Application Instructions:
Email resume to ameurer@olivergroup.com