Executive Director

Job description: Executive Director at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum

Position Summary:

Institution: The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum

Institution Website: https://glennhcurtissmuseum.org/

Founded in 1962, the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is a respected educational and cultural institution dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting transportation history and regional heritage, while celebrating the innovations and achievements of Glenn Hammond Curtiss. The Museum actively collaborates with leading institutions, including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Henry Ford Museum, and Cornell University.

Encompassing nearly 60,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Museum features a dedicated restoration facility that has restored or recreated nearly a dozen early aircraft. Its Museum Store offers a curated selection of unique, one-of-a-kind items for visitors of all ages.

As the organization looks toward its next 60 years, the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum seeks an experienced nonprofit leader and museum professional to serve as its next Executive Director. The Board of Trustees has recently completed the initial planning and conceptual phases of an ambitious Master Plan, positioning the Museum for significant renovation and expansion in the years ahead.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will serve as a forward-thinking, innovative, and creative chief executive officer with overall responsibility for the execution of the GHCM’s mission and programming efforts. The Executive Director will be committed to museum excellence and best practices, cultivation of multiple stakeholder and constituent groups, and carrying out the long-term direction and strategic plan developed by the Board.

Start Date: We wish for the new director to start in July 2026, though this is negotiable.

 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic and Operational Leadership

Provides strategic leadership and vision as Executive Director, overseeing all aspects of organizational planning and implementation, including fundraising and development, community relations, curatorial and exhibition initiatives, educational programming, personnel management, finance and facilities, marketing, and collections stewardship. Leads the recruitment, supervision, and development of staff, contractors, volunteers, and interns.

Directs daily operations to ensure high-quality programs. Serves as the primary ambassador to stakeholders, clearly communicating the organization’s vision, strengthening community partnerships, and securing financial support, while maintaining consistent branding and messaging.

Ensures strong organizational infrastructure by maintaining effective policies, systems, and procedures, with regular evaluation and improvement. Works in close partnership with the Board of Directors, including the Executive Committee and board committees, to provide strategic updates, support governance, and align on organizational priorities.

Fundraising and Financial Management

Partners with the Board to cultivate relationships and financial resources that will ensure the success of the institution. Cultivates major donors, members, and event volunteer leaders to expand fundraising activities and build financial resilience in support of ongoing programs and operations.

Manages the development of institutional funding sources, including government agencies and private foundations. Manages the preparation of the annual operating budget with the Treasurer and the Finance Committee, and provides monthly financial reports to the Board.

Oversees the preparations of the annual audit report and 990 tax filings with an independent auditor, and coordinates reporting by the auditor to the Board. Oversees routine financial transactions and management with the accountant and coordinates liability and collections insurance coverage.

Community Relations and Engagement

Develops an active community presence and relationships to foster opportunities for new initiatives and partnerships that build connections, support increased attendance and membership, and enhance organizational reputation.

Develop local networks in the community to identify and cultivate support and collaborative programs with a variety of individual and institutional partners.

Experience in planning and executing large community events is preferred.

Communications and Marketing

Serve as an official spokesperson by clearly articulating a compelling case for support of the Society’s mission to a variety of audiences, community leaders, existing donors, prospective donors, local businesses, and sponsors, etc.; enhance collaboration with organizations within Hammondsport, Steuben County, Finger Lakes Region and surrounding areas.

Oversee the maintenance of a strong brand in all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relations.

Attend community, government, and tourism promotion agency meetings to represent the Society.

Oversee the development of marketing strategies, content, graphics, editing, producing material, and more.

Experience and Qualifications

• 5+ Years of progressively responsible experience in business management, non- profit management, or museum administration.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, History, Anthropology, and Museum Studies, Cultural Studies, Interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities, or a related field. Graduate degree preferred.

• Professional experience at the senior management level – experience in history museums or arts/cultural non-profit sector organizations preferred.
• A seasoned professional with multiple literacy skills: social, business, civic, programmatic, and media.
• Agility to transition between strategic direction and operational management.
• A mindset of cross-disciplinary and collaborative thinking.
• A desire to embrace innovation and new ideas in museum practices and programming.
• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Experience and enthusiasm for working with a wide variety of public constituents; excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Enthusiasm for participating in a wide range of organizational functions.
• Experience managing staff, independent contractors, volunteers, and interns.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite.
• Familiarity with QuickBooks, WordPress, Dropbox, PastPerfect, CatalogIT, Square, and Google Cloud Apps.

Experience managing and overseeing long-term projects and initiatives is advantageous. High integrity and sound judgment are essential to success in this role. This person must demonstrate consistent success in selecting highly-qualified staff and developing a cohesive team of professionals. A management approach that is described as accessible, inclusive, collaborative and empowering must be demonstrated and balanced by results-oriented accountability. A keen understanding of what it takes to develop and promote highly effective, customer-centric services and attitudes among all staff (i.e., enhancing the visitor experience) is a must.

Salary and Benefits

This is an exempt, full-time position with a salary range of $65,000-85,000 per year with Paid Time Off.

Health Insurance will be available to the candidate selected for this position.  

Application Process

Interested individuals should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]

Applications will be accepted through June 1