Search Reopened: The Nature Museum seeks an Executive Director 

The Nature Museum (TNM) is searching for a strategic and innovative leader for our small but ambitious environmental education organization. We seek a dynamic professional who will share our determination to guide the Museum forward in fulfilling its mission to be a champion of the natural world by facilitating interactive, immersive experiences in the outdoors. 

Our compact museum is located in an historic building in one of the most charming towns in Vermont. In addition to indoor exhibits, we have teaching habitats that include woods, a pond, meadows, and gardens.  Currently we are expanding our trail network and constructing a new nature playscape for our younger visitors. 

Position Summary

The Executive Director is the primary driver for TNM’s vision and operational excellence, and stewards all of our human, natural, built, and financial resources.  This person:

  • Leads a committed and energetic team, ensuring a positive and supportive organizational culture for our paid staff, volunteers, visitors, and all other stakeholders.

  • Ensures that all experiences we offer are diverse and of high quality in order to cultivate champions for the environment, while engaging both the heart and the mind.

  • As our primary ambassador, creates a model for community collaboration that effectively blends our mission with local and regional organizations that share similar aspirations.

  • Leads our fund-raising efforts, working closely with the Board to ensure TNM’s financial sustainability by fostering a diverse, robust mix of contributed and earned income.

  • Leads efforts to create a vibrant, accessible destination which offers visitors a seamless blend of natural and built features.

  • Champions our efforts to offer physical and educational resources that promote unstructured play in nature and inspire the development of personal conservation values.

Reports to:  President of Board of Directors (or designee)

Supervises:  Full and part-time staff, volunteers

Place of Work:  Grafton, Vermont and surrounding communities.

Work Schedule:  Full-time, year-round, exempt position.  Usual (but flexible) work days are  Tuesday through Saturday.  Occasional evening, Sunday, and holiday hours are required.

Detailed Responsibilities

Organizational leadership and direction:

- Spokesperson to all audiences.

 - Advisor to the Board of Directors.

 - Experienced voice in our strategic planning and visioning.

Education and Visitor Services:

 - Assures that TNM programs, events, and visitor experiences are of high quality, support the organization’s mission, and reach diverse audiences.  

 - Participates in planning, marketing, and implementation of educational activities.

Management:

- Handles all aspects of the annual budget, in collaboration with bookkeeper and Board Treasurer.

 - Oversees payroll administration and purchasing, with bookkeeper.

 - Oversees maintenance, security, and improvements for building and land.

- Takes a strong role in planning, marketing, and implementing TNM’s special events.

- Assures adherence to the standards and ethics of the museum profession.

Supervision:

- Hires, coaches, supervises, and evaluates TNM’s staff (full-time and part-time).

- Develops and maintains a work environment that attracts and retains excellent staff and volunteers, and motivates them to their best performance.

- Guides and encourages the professional development/continuing education of staff.

- Remains current on human resource law and protocols.

Fundraising (with support of the Board)

- Leads all fundraising efforts (annual appeal, events, grants, donor relationships)   

-Provides timely and accurate tracking and reporting of fundraising data.

- Assists in planning and implementing all aspects of potential capital campaigns. 

Communications:

- Maintains a regular schedule of communication with the Board President.    

- Attends and provides updates at all Board meetings 

Marketing and Promotional Outreach:

- Proactively and effectively represents TNM to local communities, diverse regional audiences, and professional colleagues.

- Oversees and actively participates in promotional and marketing outreach.

Other tasks, as appropriate for the Executive Director position.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Minimum of three years of advancing leadership positions in museums, nature centers, or closely related organizations.

  • Bachelor degree in a related field.

  • A career trajectory of progressively more responsible roles that illustrates readiness for organizational leadership.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree in a related field.

  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in all aspects of fundraising.

  • Strong interpersonal skills, team building abilities, and success in hiring, supervising, and retaining high-quality staff.  Maintains a good sense of humor.

  • Successful experience in working with a board of directors.

  • Hands-on experience with the preparation and management of annual budgets.

  • Leadership-level knowledge and experience in environmental education, conservation, and/or related fields.

  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including effective use of common technology platforms -- e.g., Google Suite, Office, Quicken, various social media.

  • Places high value on stakeholder and community relations.

  • Passionate about nature and its preservation.

  • Meets highest standards of personal and professional integrity.

  • Ability to traverse varied terrain, in all weather conditions.

Compensation

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Anticipated annual salary of $55,000 to $65,000, depending on qualifications.

  • Paid annual leave starting at a minimum of 15 days per year. (Previous experience may be considered in this calculation, at discretion of the Board.)

  • Paid sick leave starting at 10 days per year.

  • Paid holidays.

  • Paid opportunities for professional development.

  • Health insurance with multiple plan options; Museum shares this expense.

  • Flex time, with Board approval.

Application Instructions

Send thoughtful letter of application and detailed resume to: searchcommittee@nature-museum.org

Or mail materials to:   Search Committee, The Nature Museum, P.O. Box 38, Grafton, VT 05146

No phone calls, please. Direct questions to the above email. 

Application Deadline:

Position open until filled, with review of applications beginning in early April, 2021.

Notes:

All candidates selected for interviews will be required to provide contact information for a minimum of three recent professional references.

A job offer will be contingent on a successful background check.