Executive Director - Chugach Museum

ABOUT US:

The Chugach Museum is a 501(c)3 public charity incorporated in September 2022, created to be a museum and repository to house the Chugach region artifacts and showcase the Chugach region’s culture. The Chugach Museum shares our native way of life and knowledge of the Chugach region. Our collection informs and inspires the world and advances native museum curation.

CHUGACH’S EXPECTED BEHAVIORS:

Chugach is looking for more people who believe that the following behaviors are fundamental to any job:

1. Always doing the right thing
2. Creating meaningful value
3. Leaving things better than you found them
4. Empowering people
5. Building community

SUMMARY/GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

The Executive Director directs and plans all the museum activities and operations. The Executive Director is responsible for the museum’s collections, exhibits, programs, museum store, and staff. The Executive Director provides leadership for the development and enforcement of; personnel policies, collection policies, financial management, marketing, implementing the strategic plan, fostering strategic relationships, and fund development.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & JOB FUNCTIONS:

• BOARD GOVERNANCE
  • Works with the Board to fulfill the organization’s mission.
  • Responsible for leading the Museum in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors.
  • Meets and consults on a regular basis with standing committees of the museum and quarterly Board meetings.

• MISSION AND STRATEGY
  • Responsible for implementing the strategic plan and meeting annual goals.
  • Ensures the entity is in alignment with Chugach region and entities.
  • Develops and upholds organization to accreditation standards by “commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement.”
  • Prepares and presents lectures on museum activities and business to community, corporate and other organizations.

• FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
  • Prepares annual financial budgets and operating plans for submission to the Board of Directors.
  • Raises operation funds for the facility through grant writing and special projects.
  • Maintains financial records and other reporting necessities for federal and state grants.
  • Establishes and maintains museum and bequest programs and advise contributors on fiscal and tax benefits.

• OPERATIONS AND COMPLIANCE:
  • Develops and maintains policies and procedures for the Museum.
  • Routinely monitors and evaluates the physical conditions of the building and grounds ensuring the highest degree of housekeeping and maintenance standards are established.
  • Responsible for ensuring the security, safety and wellbeing of all museum facilities, staff, and artifacts.
  • Oversees and provides leadership and direction to museum staff, including conducting performance reviews, authorization of timesheets, leave, training and travel. Ensures job descriptions are accurate and updated on an annual basis and enforces the museum policies.
  • Directs the development of all museum programs including but not limited to; collections development, exhibits, education, and research as outlined in the established policies.
  • Promotes technological advancements for efficiency and innovation.
  • Ensures programs are in compliance with grant requirements and in overall good standing with donors.
  • Maintains productive relationships with users and constituency of the museum, volunteer groups, the public, and the professional museum and research community.
  • Oversees the Programs and Store Managers with the development of products and programs that reflect the Museum’s collections and enhance the Museum’s mission.
  • Attends museum functions, gives public presentations, leads museum tours, and represents the museum at professional conferences.
  • Collaborates with communications to develop and prepare articles, newsletters, presentations, interviews, and press releases on museum activities.
  • Responds to request for information as necessary.
  • Performs other related duties and projects as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS (Education, Experience, Professional Associations):

Mandatory:  

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, operations, anthropology or related field from an accredited college or university , or equivalent professional level business experience in museum operations.
• Three years of senior nonprofit management experience
• Verifiable budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting.
• Knowledge of all aspects of museum and historical society operations, including collections and exhibitions, research, policies, management, as well as archival and library best practices

Preferred:

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in museum studies preferred.
• Experience working with grants – administration, management, or compliance.
• Experience working in a nonprofit organization.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Chugach Alaska Native communities, regional organizations, and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporations.
• Ability to convey a vision of the Museum’s strategic future to staff, board, volunteers, and donors.
• Knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to the nonprofit sector.
• Ability to make strategic decisions, generate innovative ideas and solutions, and multi-task.
• Ability to communicate verbally and through technical writing.
• Ability to lead others; work effectively within a team; maintain team morale and performance.

WORK CONDITIONS:

Work includes travel to attend meetings, conferences, or other related business. Office work is performed in a traditional office environment. Incumbents should be able to stand or sit for extended periods of time.