Executive Director

Scion Executive Search

Sweetwater (TX)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 125,000

Full time

14 days+

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Relocation assistance

Job summary

A leading executive search firm is seeking an Executive Director for the National WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater. The role involves strategic leadership, educational program expansion, and fundraising initiatives to inspire future generations. A passion for aviation and leadership experience in nonprofit organizations is essential. This full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary of $110,000 - $125,000 along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

7-10+ years of progressive leadership experience in museum management or related fields.
Experience developing and executing strategic plans with measurable outcomes.
Exceptional communication skills, including public speaking abilities.

Responsibilities

Provide dynamic leadership and strategic vision to advance the Museum's mission.
Expand educational programming and strengthen community engagement.
Lead comprehensive fundraising efforts to sustain operations and support long-term goals.

Skills

Strategic vision

Fundraising expertise

Community engagement

Public speaking

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Join to apply for the Executive Director role at Scion Executive Search

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Executive Director role at Scion Executive Search

Scion Executive Search provided pay range

This range is provided by Scion Executive Search. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$110,000.00/yr - $125,000.00/yr

Direct message the job poster from Scion Executive Search

Senior Executive Search Principal at Scion Executive Search

Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct a search for the incoming Executive Director on behalf of our exceptional client, the National WASP WWII Museum; a nationally recognized institution dedicated to preserving the remarkable legacy of the Women Airforce Service Pilots—the first women to fly America's military aircraft. Located at the historic Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, where most WASP trained during World War II, this impactful opportunity offers the chance to lead an organization that honors pioneering women who forever changed aviation and broke barriers that continue to inspire generations.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The National WASP WWII Museum seeks a visionary Executive Director who will lead this unique institution through its next phase of growth and impact. The successful candidate will expand educational programming, strengthen community engagement, drive strategic fundraising initiatives, and ensure the WASP story continues to inspire current and future generations of aviators, leaders, and barrier-breakers.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will serve as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the Museum, overseeing all operations while building strategic partnerships within the aviation community, military organizations, and educational institutions. As the face of the Museum, the Executive Director will embody the pioneering spirit of the WASP and their commitment to excellence, service, and breaking new ground.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL WASP WWII MUSEUM:

Founded in 2003 through the vision of WASP Deanie Bishop Parrish and her daughter Nancy Parrish, the National WASP WWII Museum stands as the only institution located on the original airfield where these remarkable women trained. Between 1942-1944, 1,108 women served as Women Airforce Service Pilots, flying every type of military aircraft and paving the way for women in both military and civilian aviation.

The Museum operates from a beautifully renovated 1929 hangar and a state-of-the-art climate-controlled facility on a 15-acre campus. With a donor base of 9,000 supporters nationwide, the organization has experienced significant growth, doubling its campus facilities and creating nationally recognized exhibits that bring the WASP story to life.

Notable programs include the annual Homecoming celebration honoring WASP and their families, comprehensive educational tours for students, extensive archival research services, and a dynamic "Museum on the Move" initiative that brings aircraft and exhibits to airshows across Texas, Oklahoma, and the renowned EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. The Museum's collection includes authentic WWII-era aircraft and an extensive archive of primary resources that serve researchers, authors, and filmmakers worldwide.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Provide dynamic leadership and strategic vision to advance the Museum's mission of educating and inspiring all generations with the WASP story.
Execute the strategic plan while identifying new opportunities for programmatic expansion and community impact.
Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and respect that honors the WASP legacy.
Direct daily operations including education programming, collections management, facilities, and community outreach.
Build and maintain relationships with WASP families, aviation organizations, military institutions, and educational partners.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION

Expand educational programming to reach diverse audiences, with particular focus on engaging younger generations.
Develop and implement the "Museum on the Move" initiative to bring WASP stories to schools and communities nationwide.
Oversee the creation of digital lesson plans aligned with educational standards for elementary through high school levels.
Establish partnerships with aviation organizations, military academies, and educational institutions.
Create and manage specialized programs including future aviators clubs and STEM-focused activities.

FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT

Lead comprehensive fundraising efforts to sustain operations, expand programming, and support the Museum’s long-term goal of building a $20 million endowment.
Drive progress toward a targeted $2 million endowment milestone within the next five years.
Cultivate relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and aviation industry partners.
Work collaboratively with third-party fundraising partners while developing direct fundraising capabilities.
Identify and pursue grant opportunities aligned with the Museum's educational and preservation mission.
Build a network of Museum ambassadors across the nation to support fundraising and advocacy efforts.

BOARD & STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS

Partner effectively with the Board of Directors to guide strategic decision-making and governance.
Provide regular reporting on organizational performance, financial position, and programmatic impact.
Support board development initiatives and succession planning efforts.
Serve as primary liaison to community leaders, elected officials, and partner organizations.

STAFF MANAGEMENT

Lead and inspire a team of 11 dedicated staff members, fostering professional development and collaboration.
Recruit, train, and retain quality staff, with particular attention to succession planning for key positions.
Create systems and processes that support efficient operations and effective teamwork.
Manage consultant relationships and coordinate volunteer efforts.

PUBLIC REPRESENTATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Serve as the primary spokesperson and public face of the Museum at conferences, airshows, and community events
Deliver engaging presentations to civic groups, educational institutions, and aviation organizations nationwide.
Represent the Museum at industry conferences and professional associations.
Oversee marketing and communications efforts to raise the Museum's profile and reach new audiences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A genuine passion for aviation, military history, and women's leadership, with deep appreciation for the WASP legacy and its continuing relevance.
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
7-10+ years of progressive leadership experience in museum management, nonprofit organizations, or related fields.
Comfortability in fundraising, donor cultivation, and revenue diversification.
Experience developing and executing strategic plans with measurable outcomes.
Strong background in educational programming and community engagement.
Proven ability to work effectively with boards of directors and diverse stakeholder groups.
Exceptional communication skills, including public speaking and presentation abilities.
Experience managing budgets, staff, and complex operations.
Knowledge of museum best practices, collections management, and preservation standards preferred.
Willingness to travel extensively (15-20 weekends annually) for airshows, speaking engagements, and donor cultivation.
Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to identify and develop new revenue streams and partnerships.
Familiarity with Texas and regional aviation communities strongly preferred.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This full-time opportunity offers the chance to make a significant impact preserving and sharing an important chapter of American history. The position offers a competitive base salary of $110,000 - $125,000, along with comprehensive benefits. Relocation assistance to Sweetwater, Texas, is available.

Please address applications to:

Sydney Burnham, Senior Executive Search Principal

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.

ABOUT OUR FIRM:

Scion Executive Search is an award-winning retained executive search firm.Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the United States. Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the nation.

We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm and our practices can be found online.

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent.

For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.

Seniority level