JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Special Projects (DoSP) will lead a pilot program identifying and assessing attributes, resources, strengths and opportunities of institutional sustainability at a Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The program includes a comprehensive assessment of the site’s situation, location, communities and needs, while also identifying the ways in which the site can position itself to better stand as a value add to its community and secure a more sustainable institutional future.

This process is designed to inform, support, and draw together information in collaboration with the Site Director as part of a joint effort to develop a sustainability plan. Subsequently, the position will work closely and in collaboration with the Site Director at every stage, understanding their vision for the site and together creating a sustainability plan that is informed, mission aligned and capacity-aware. This will be done through an evaluation of the site’s area, relationship to the area, visitor experience and resources. The evaluation will inform a financial sustainability plan that addresses areas of work, membership/philanthropy, community engagement, ideal income stream balance, and a timeline with goals, as well as points of reflection and recalculation. There is potential for the pilot to extend beyond the initial Historic Site and replicate the aforementioned process at additional sites within the National Trust portfolio.

DUTIES

• In collaboration with the Site Director, direct a comprehensive SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of an individual National Trust site.
• Conduct robust, site-specific research on the local community, constituencies, and partners coupled with a keen understanding of the historical legacy and challenges unique to the place itself.
• Provide the Site Director with a formal written evaluation based on extensive analysis of and research on the site and its larger ecosystem.
• Partner with the Site Director to develop a sustainability plan that positions the site for future growth and prosperity and is mission aligned.
• Building on deep knowledge of the site and both its physical and community assets, devise creative ways to unlock additional funding streams through traditional philanthropy and other forms of revenue generation.
• Additional duties as designed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• MA in art history, museum studies, material culture, American history or a related field with a minimum of 10 years of demonstrated excellence in leadership in curatorial or museum collections management activities, preferably at multi-site historic organizations.
• Proven record of leading financial sustainability at a historic site.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the values and mission of the National Trust.
• Excellent leadership skills, and ability to work in a fast-moving and flexible team environment with a commitment to diversity, demonstrated by success in interacting with a varied staff with wide-ranging skill sets.
• Demonstrated comfort working in a fluid, dynamic workplace that may involve utilization/lending of staff to/from other parts of the National Trust.
• Advanced analytical skills, problem-solving (issue identification and prioritization) skills, communication and presentation skills are essential for this role, plus the ability to exercise sound judgment and made decisions based on accurate and timely analysis.
• Demonstrated success engaging historically underrepresented communities, constituents, and partners. Ties to culturally diverse affinity groups, professional organizations, or related associations are a plus. Comfortable talking about identities such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender in plain, specific terms as they relate to the workplace and cultural heritage.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Some travel required.