Executive Director

American Association for State and Local History; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Historic Ithaca is seeking an inspiring, visionary Executive Director to lead our team, expand our community impact, and guide the next era of historic preservation in Tompkins County and throughout New York’s Finger Lakes Region. We believe historic places, materials, stories, and skills matter.

Our work includes advocacy, technical services, public programs, and two enterprises: Significant Elements, a 10,000-square-foot architectural salvage store, and Work Preserve, a training program for

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in a nonprofit setting.
• Strong track record in securing grants and donor support.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans.
• Proven nonprofit financial management and governance skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to represent the organization publicly.

Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership for a small, high‑impact nonprofit.
• Partner with the Board to set priorities and strategic direction.
• Recruit, hire, coach, and manage staff up to six.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Nonprofit management

Public speaking

Staff development

Community relations

Education

College degree in management or related field

Job description

Historic Ithaca is seeking an inspiring, visionary Executive Director to lead our team, expand our community impact, and guide the next era of historic preservation in Tompkins County and throughout New York’s Finger Lakes Region. We believe historic places, materials, stories, and skills matter. What sets us apart is how we put that belief into action. Alongside our traditional preservation advocacy, technical services, and public programs, we operate two transformative enterprises: Significant Elements, our 10,000-square-foot architectural salvage store, and Work Preserve, a hands‑on preservation skills and retail training program for marginalized youth.

Key responsibilities include:

Leadership & Governance

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership for a small, high‑impact nonprofit—ensuring smooth operations, strong internal systems, and excellent service to the community.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to set organizational priorities and implement a strategic plan that advances the mission and defines clear goals and direction.

People & Culture

• Recruit, hire, coach, and manage a team of up to six staff, fostering a collaborative, high‑performance culture grounded in learning, service, and quality.
• Create and sustain a safe, respectful, and welcoming workplace that supports accessibility and values people from diverse backgrounds.

Finance, Operations & Infrastructure

• Oversee the organization’s financial health, including budget development and monitoring, cash‑flow awareness, and strong internal controls.
  Ensure that staff have the technology, tools, and specialized third‑party support needed to deliver programs and services effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and ethical standards; manage organizational risk; and oversee facility and property maintenance to protect Historic Ithaca’s assets and reputation.

Fundraising

• Design and deliver a comprehensive fundraising program consisting of individual giving, corporate sponsorship, and grants to support operations and special projects.
• Partner with Board and committee members to coordinate timely high‑impact personal outreach.
• Oversee grant operations—building sustainable reporting frameworks and the systems needed for accurate progress tracking and compliance.

Communications & Community Relations

• Serve as Historic Ithaca’s public representative—building partners with community stakeholders and using communications channels (e.g., website, e‑newsletter, social media, media outreach, direct mail) to strengthen visibility and support.

• Leadership experience in an organization similar to ours with the ability to inspire and support a team, set clear goals, and make thoughtful decisions.
• Nonprofit financial management, including budgeting and making the most of resources to support sustainable growth.
• Demonstrated fundraising success—cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Strong writing and public speaking skills, and a clear, respectful communication style.
• Comfort representing the organization and building positive relationships with community members, partners, and the media.
• A steady, solutions‑oriented approach—able to navigate unexpected situations, identify root causes, and collaborate on practical improvements.
• Enthusiasm for diverse histories and cultures, preservation, sustainability, and lifelong learning.
• A college degree in management or a related field is helpful; equivalent professional or lived experience is also valued.
• Experience and/or interest in one or more of the following areas is strongly desired: historic preservation, architecture, city planning, building trades, community and/or economic development, and retail sales.

Note: If you’re excited about our mission and feel you’d be a strong fit for this role, we encourage you to apply—even if your experience doesn’t match every item listed. If you are an entrepreneurial leader eager to run an organization where heritage preservation, youth mentorship, and sustainable social enterprise converge to shape a better future, we invite you to step into this extraordinary leadership role.