Executive Director

St. Lawrence County Historical Association; Town of Canton (NY); On-site; USD 66,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance after probationary

IRA with employer contribution

Job summary

The St. Lawrence County Historical Association in Canton, NY seeks an Executive Director to lead operations for the Silas Wright House Museum, Archives, and related facilities.

The role emphasizes strategic leadership, financial stewardship, and external engagement to sustain growth and public programs. Ideal candidates will have a public admin/history background, 3+ years in nonprofit leadership, and strong fundraising, grant-writing, and staff supervision skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, history, museum studies, or humanities-related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 3 years guiding a not-for-profit organization, ideally in a museum/arts setting.

Responsibilities

• Serve as official spokesperson for SLCHA.
• Hire, train, and supervise staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Advance development through fundraising events, membership growth, and gifts.
• Maintain community partnerships with local colleges.
• Apply for grants from NY State and other funders.
• Oversee budget with the board and financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with NY Non-Profit Revitalization Act.

Skills

Program planning

Fundraising knowledge

Staff supervision

MS Office

QuickBooks

Donor management

Collections management

Board governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, history, museum studies, or humanities-related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

QuickBooks

Donor management software

Collections management software

Job description

The St. Lawrence County Historical Association seeks an experienced, forward-thinking administrator to serve as Executive Director.

Founded in 1947 and permanently chartered in 1955, the St. Lawrence County Historical Association (SLCHA) researches, collects, preserves, and interprets the history of St. Lawrence County. The Association manages the 1833 Silas Wright House, originally belonging to United States Senator and Governor of New York, Silas Wright, as well as the 2001 Red Barn Museum addition. The Wright House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a part of the Canton Village Park Historic District.

Members, through dues and tax-deductible contributions, are the single largest source of annual income for the not-for-profit Association. A successful campaign resulted in an endowment, ensuring long-term financial survivability. Having recently rebranded as the St. Lawrence County Center for History and Culture (SLCCHC), we are looking for a candidate who will provide strong leadership as the organization continues to identify new ways to connect with members, visitors, and community partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of the SLCHA, including the Silas Wright House Museum, SLCHA Archives, the Red Barn addition buildings and grounds, staff, volunteers, and interns. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Trustees and is responsible for advancing its mission through strategic leadership, financial stewardship, organizational management, and external engagement. The Executive Director is expected to be a highly visible leader who inspires confidence among staff, volunteers, donors, members, and community partners while ensuring the museum’s long-term sustainability and continued growth.

The successful candidate will possess strong and collaborative leadership skills, and excellent organizational, administrative, communication, and managerial skills. Experience with grant writing and fundraising will be required to help identify and sustain new projects and initiatives.

The Executive Director position is full-time and exempt; some evening and weekend work should be expected.

Duties include

• Serve as the official spokesperson for the SLCHA
• Hire, train, and supervise a current staff of four as well as museum volunteers and interns
• Advance development through fundraising events, membership growth and retention, and solicitation of gifts
• Maintain community partnerships and relationships with local colleges
• Apply for grants from New York State and local governments, area foundations, federal agencies, and other organizations
• Work with staff and board to determine yearly schedule & oversee logistics of all fundraisers, exhibitions and events
• Work with technology consultants and staff to maintain and create content for the SLCHA website and social media pages & resolve all printer/phone/computer server issues
• Work with contracted exhibit consultant, volunteers, students and other professional organizations to update exhibits regularly/annually
• Program planning and development of public programming using historical collections, including tours, lectures, hands-on workshops and off-site programs
• Oversee the operation of the Archives and Research Room, including overseeing the care and preservation of a permanent collection of over 200,000 3d objects and archival artifacts and a small public research room
• Plan and implement the Annual Membership Meeting in November
• Oversee facility management, including building maintenance and improvements, including the historic garden
• Coordinate the preparation of TheWright House newsletter
• Prepare agenda and compile and distribute board packet for the monthly board meetings
• Work with the Board of Trustees to develop and manage the museum’s budget
• Prepare financial information for annual accounting review
• Prepare and report bi-weekly payroll
• Prepare and deliver annual performance reviews to employees
• Assure compliance with the New York State Non-Profit Revitalization Act and other state laws and keep policies and procedures up to date
• Review and manage updates to the SLCHA’s Strategic Plan
• Other duties and responsibilities as may be necessary to ensure the safe and responsible operation and management of the museum, its staff and assets

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

A bachelor’s degree in public administration, history, museum studies, or a humanities-related field; a master’s degree strongly preferred; plus, a minimum of 3 years managing a not-for-profit organization, ideally in a museum, historic site, or arts/cultural organization. Knowledge of St. Lawrence County history and government is a plus.

Job Skills

• Program planning and development of historical collections and programming
• Understanding of non-profit funding sources available in New York State
• Successful supervision of staff, volunteers, and interns
• Advanced knowledge of PC based computer systems and technology, including MS Office Suite
• Working knowledge of QuickBooks or similar financial software
• Working knowledge of donor management and collections management software
• Recognizing the oversight role of the Board of Directors and faithfully implementing policies and directives of the Board

This Position is

In-Person

Position Type

Full-Time, exempt

Salary Range

$66,000 to $70,000, depending on education and experience.

Benefits

Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave. 2% employer contribution to IRA after the employee has earned $5,000. Employer-sponsored health insurance plan available after a 90-day probationary period, with employer paying 75% of the premium.