(Please download PDF for full job description.)
ABOUT GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Greenwich Historical Society preserves and interprets Greenwich history to strengthen the community’s connection to our past, to each other and to our future. It collects and chronicles the vibrant history of Greenwich, Connecticut, USA. Founded in 1640, Greenwich holds a unique place in our nation’s history, including as a front line between Connecticut and New York during the American Revolution and as a cradle of American Impressionism in the late 19th and early 20th century. It is a pivotal New York City suburb and is known as the Gateway to New England.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY AT greenwichhistory.org.
THE OPPORTUNITY
As Greenwich Historical Society approaches its 100th anniversary, it seeks a transformational and charismatic leader to serve as its next Executive Director. Working closely with the Board of Trustees and staff, the Executive Director will lead the organization towards its next century. This is a unique leadership opportunity for growth and change.
The successful candidate is an energetic and forward-thinking leader will oversee all aspects of programming, development, team leadership and development, financial management, marketing, and board relations, raising the profile of the organization as a vibrant cultural and educational institution.
The incoming Executive Director will play a critical role in defining our value proposition, expanding our reach, fundraising, and maximizing the effectiveness of our staff and our Board.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal candidate is a transformational leader with a proven track record of guiding organizations through growth and change. This individual is a culture carrier who can inspire and motivate staff, volunteers, and stakeholders toward a common vision.
While no single candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Fundraising Expertise
- Proven ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, and institutional giving, to achieve ambitious revenue goals.
- Demonstrated success in planning, managing, and completing multi-million-dollar capital campaigns, engaging donors at all levels, and securing transformative gifts to sustain and grow institutional impact.
- Expertise in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, foundations, and other grant-making organizations, ensuring long-term philanthropic partnerships that support the historical society’s mission and financial stability.
Strategic Thinker
- Ability to assess the historical society’s current position, identify opportunities for growth, and develop a forward-thinking strategy that ensures long-term sustainability while honoring its legacy.
- Skilled in navigating complex challenges, anticipating obstacles, and crafting innovative solutions to maintain financial health, expand community engagement, and enhance the society’s impact.
- Expertise in leading organizations through leadership transitions, fostering a culture of collaboration, and aligning stakeholders around a shared vision to build momentum for the society’s future.
Operational Excellence/ Business Savvy
- Proven ability to oversee budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation to ensure the historical society operates efficiently and remains financially sustainable throughout the campaign and beyond.
- Skilled in building and managing high-performing teams, optimizing staff and volunteer engagement, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Experience in evaluating and enhancing operational systems, policies, and workflows to improve efficiency, and support Greenwich Historical Society’s growth and fundraising objectives.
Passion for the Mission
- A strong commitment to preserving and promoting the historical society’s mission, with an understanding of the unique historical narratives that shape the community and region, and an interest in and understanding of art and art history, particularly the American Impressionist period.
- Ability to communicate the significance of history and art in a compelling way to diverse audiences, inspiring donors, members, and the public to support and engage with the society’s work.
- Dedication to upholding high standards in historical research, curation, and programming, ensuring that the society’s collections, exhibitions, and educational initiatives remain authentic, relevant, and impactful.
REQUIREMENTS
- Transformational, charismatic leader with a proven record of success.
- 10 or more years of experience in operations management and budget development.
- Successful track record in fundraising, strategic leadership, and financial management.
- Experience in innovative programming and marketing to meet demographic trends.
- Expertise in day-to-day operations, planning, staff development, and performance measurement.
- A strong executive presence: able to represent the organization to the public, government, and other agencies. Effective communicator and relationship builder. Demonstrated skills working at all levels of an organization.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and technology-enabled solutions. Able to adapt to new technologies and bring others along as necessary. Experience with data analytics and CRM systems.
- Experience in managing historical collections, curating exhibitions, or developing educational programs, with a commitment to historical preservation and interpretation at the highest standards.
- Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in a relevant area preferred.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $225,000 to $250,000.
CONTACT
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Naree Viner and Tenley Bank. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing Tenley directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.