The Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks is seeking an experienced professional to serve as a dynamic, mission-driven Executive Director to guide the organization through its continuing growth, sustainability, and innovation while preserving its authenticity and historic integrity.  The Executive Director provides institutional direction in the creation of programming; manages the historic preservation of the 27-building National Historic Landmark, Great Camp Sagamore; and develops collaborative relationships with a wide variety of external partners.

Overview

Built in the late 1800’s, it was the seasonal home of the Vanderbilt family for more than 50 years.  Great Camp Sagamore is today a private, educational non-profit institution dedicated to stewarding this unique resource as a welcoming place for education and for making connections to history, nature, and community. Great Camp Sagamore is open to the public between May and October offering multi-day overnight programs in history, music, arts and culture, outdoor recreation, and wellness.  Sagamore also offers a calendar of daily programs, history tours, concerts, and lectures.

The Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks Team

The Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks employs a year-round group of ten full-time staff members and an additional 25 FTE staff members during our season. A high priority is to maintain a collaborative work environment where all staff members are expected to lead by example, to work closely together in a positive manner, and to foster a safe, encouraging, and enjoyable workplace for everyone.

The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is composed of committed and active members with a range of expertise including finance, education, preservation, hospitality, engineering, and technology.  Trustees collaborate with the Executive Director and staff through committees such as Development, Facilities, Programs, Finance, Hospitality, and History.

The Opportunity

The Executive Director is the chief executive and is tasked with helping to shape and implement the strategic plan. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director will provide visionary leadership, operational excellence, and strategic direction to advance Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks’ mission.

The Executive Director will steward the historic campus, strengthen financial sustainability, cultivate partnerships, and expand programming that reflects the Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks’ core values of stewardship, exploration, community, integrity, and authenticity.

Leadership and Management

• Provide professional oversight and direction to all institutional initiatives, as identified in the Strategic Plan, to present Great Camp Sagamore's story in a positive and compelling manner.
• Work closely with the Board of Trustees, serving as an ex-officio representative on each Board committee, while seeking and building board involvement with the evolution and implementation of the organization’s Strategic Plan.
• Lead, coach, develop, and retain Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks’ high-performance senior management team.
• Manage employee policies, benefits, performance reviews and direct report hiring.
• Serve as a visible, articulate ambassador for Great Camp Sagamore, cultivating relationships with donors, partners, policy makers, and the Adirondack community.

 Operational Excellence and Financial Sustainability

• Lead, coach and manage the senior staff in ensuring excellence in all operations including the overall guest experience, dining and kitchen services, housekeeping services, caretaking, and overnight and day programming.
• Develop and oversee Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks’ overall strategies and tactics to increase revenue, including:
  • Grow the annual appeal, historic preservation campaign, annual gala, capital campaign and endowment,
  • Identify and implement effective and efficient fundraising infrastructure and software,
  • Identify and pursue grant opportunities to support organizational growth,
  • Expand and diversify the membership program, increase membership and membership financial support.
• Ensure profitability from program and earned income areas to maintain Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks’ self-sufficiency by seeking new sources of income and overseeing profit centers.
• Oversee financial management, including creating and monitoring the annual budget, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations, and providing monthly financial reporting to the Board.

Preservation and Stewardship

• Oversee the care and preservation of Great Camp Sagamore’s historic campus and natural environment.
• Lead long-term planning for facilities maintenance, capital projects, and infrastructure renewal.

Program Development & Community Engagement 

• Establish and grow relationships and partnerships with local organizations, local governments, businesses and educational institutions.
• Oversee the expansion and diversification of programming to attract new audiences while honoring Great Camp Sagamore’s historic identity.
• Strengthen Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks’ role as a regional learning institute and catalyst for cultural, environmental and historic education.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated organizational leadership experience (minimum 7–10 years) preferably in cultural, historic, educational, or environmental organizations. Not for profit experience preferred.
• Proven success in fundraising and financial management, including major gifts, endowment, budgeting and grant development.
• Strong record of strategic planning and execution, with measurable outcomes.
• Experience cultivating inclusive, collaborative and collegial organizational cultures.
• Experience with coaching, mentoring and developing a diverse team of senior staff.
• Deep appreciation for history, cultural heritage, preservation, and/or the Adirondacks.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to inspire diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of historic preservation, cultural tourism, or environmental education.
• Experience managing a complex site with facilities, programs, and hospitality functions.

The Ideal Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks Executive Director will:

• Foster a collaborative work environment and excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks mission, vision, and goals to a broad audience.
• Lead with a passion for safeguarding a National Historic Landmark, aligning organizational efforts with our preservation and educational goals.
• Grow a diverse and collaborative team of staff and volunteers.
• Cultivate current and future donors.
• Bring an understanding of, and experience with all aspects of the grant lifecycle — from identifying prospects and cultivating relationships to successfully securing funding with private, local, state, federal granting agencies; and administering/reporting as required.
• Implement management and budgeting practices that not only ensure efficiency but also safeguard the financial sustainability of the organization.
• Lead the organization’s fundraising strategy, grow major gifts, grants, events, and donor stewardship.

What is it like at Great Camp Sagamore?

Located in the central Adirondack mountains near Raquette Lake, NY where the natural world is not just a backdrop—it's a way of life.  The area around Great Camp Sagamore is part of the Adirondack State Park, a 6-million-acre park filled with lakes, rivers, mountains and extensive protected forest lands. The area offers unparalleled access to outdoor recreation, no matter the season.

During the 6-month season (May-October) when we are open to the public, this position requires living in accommodations provided by the Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks or in a personal residence within a daily commuting distance.  Offices are not air-conditioned and meals are taken with other employees and guests in a common dining hall. In the 6-month off-season, work will be primarily remote with on-site presence required for winter events, and other projects as needed. 

Great Camp Sagamore is located in a beautiful, but remote area.  The quaint villages of Raquette Lake and Inlet are a short drive away, with larger towns such as Old Forge to the south and Tupper Lake to the north accessible within one hour.  The cities of Albany, Utica, and Syracuse are all within 125 miles. NYC and Boston are a 4–5-hour drive away.

Physical Requirements

The campus is extensive, so the candidate should be able to walk throughout the rustic camp complex daily and carry up to 25 lbs. up and down two flights of stairs.

Compensation Package

Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks offers an excellent benefit package, including health and dental insurance, the SIMPLE retirement plan, paid time off as well as sick and medical leave. Employees with certification requirements can continue to maintain professional standards through continued training and education.

The anticipated hiring range for this FLSA exempt position is $100,000 to $120,000, commensurate with experience and/or special qualifications.