Executive Director

National Museum of Wildlife Art; DeLand (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance stipend

Life insurance

Vacation days

Sick days

Personal days

Professional development

Job summary

Museum of Art - DeLand seeks an Executive Director to lead strategic growth and strengthen community impact beginning in February 2027. You will champion donor engagement, guide financial stewardship, and partner with the Board to advance the museum's mission.

The ideal candidate has nonprofit leadership experience, a passion for the arts, and a collaborative approach to working with staff, volunteers, and supporters to elevate exhibitions, education programs, and public engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated leadership in nonprofit, educational, cultural, philanthropic or related organizations.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with fundraising, budgeting, grants, program management, or nonprofit operations preferred.
• Passion for the arts and mission commitment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Museum.
• Serve as chief fundraiser by cultivating donors, securing sponsorships, writing grants, and leading development initiatives.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, members, volunteers, and community partners.
• Lead and support a team of 19 employees.
• Partner with the Board to advance priorities and planning.
• Oversee membership program with staff and volunteers.
• Serve as primary spokesperson and attend community events.
• Support exhibitions, education programs, and public engagement.
• Ensure sound financial management and organizational sustainability.

Job description

The Museum of Art - DeLand seeks a dynamic, strategic, and relationship-focused Executive Director to lead its next chapter of growth and community impact beginning in February 2027. Building on a strong foundation in its downtown location, the Museum is looking for an energetic leader who can strengthen donor and community relationships, advance financial sustainability, and champion the Museum's role as a vibrant cultural resource. This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative professional with a passion for the arts, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement to shape the future of a respected institution.

Position Overview

The Executive Director serves as the Museum's chief advocate, fundraiser, and community ambassador while working closely with staff, volunteers, donors, members, and the Board of Trustees. Success in this role depends on the ability to build relationships, inspire support, communicate effectively, and lead collaboratively.

The Museum welcomes candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including museums, arts organizations, nonprofits, education, philanthropy, community development, and related fields.

The Executive Director reports directly to the President and Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Executive Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership in fundraising, community engagement, financial stewardship, board relations, staff leadership, public advocacy, and organizational planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Museum
• Serve as the Museum's chief fundraiser by cultivating donors, securing sponsorships, writing grants, and leading development initiatives.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, members, the Museum of Art – DeLand Guild, volunteers, and community partners.
• Lead and support a team of 19 employees (seven people involved in Museum operations, three gallery attendants, one facility set-up/breakdown plus eight employees of the museum store.)
• Partner with the Board of Trustees to advance organizational priorities and long-range planning.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Museum's membership program, working with staff and volunteers.
• Serve as the Museum's primary spokesperson and advocate in the community and regularly attend community events and meetings as the Museum representative.
• Support the development of exhibitions, educational programs, and public engagement initiatives.
• Ensure sound financial management and organizational sustainability.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience required. An advanced degree in arts administration, museum studies, nonprofit management, business, public administration, education, or a related field is welcomed but not required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a nonprofit, educational, cultural, philanthropic, community-based, or related organization.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with fundraising, budgeting, grant administration, grant writing, program management, or nonprofit operations is preferred.
• A passion for the arts and a commitment to the Museum's mission are essential. Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience will be considered.
• Candidates who meet many, but not all, of the qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $55,000-$75,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience
• Regular schedule: Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with additional hours on Mondays, evenings, and weekends for meetings and Museum or community events as needed
• The Museum does not offer group health insurance; however, the employee receives a taxable health insurance stipend of $264 per month
• Employer-paid life insurance benefit of $10,000
• Eight days of paid vacation annually during the first three years of employment, twelve days annually after 3 full years, and sixteen days annually after 10 full years.
• Eight paid sick days and three paid personal days annually
• Professional development support