Executive Director & Chief Philanthropy Leader

SD Historical Society Foundation; Watertown (SD); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation (160 hours)

Paid sick leave (accrued daily)

Paid holidays (10 days)

5% employer match to 403(b) retirement

Health care stipend

Professional development opportunities

Flexible work environment

Performance bonus, board approval

Job summary

South Dakota Historical Society Foundation seeks a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead philanthropy, governance, and long-term sustainability. You will oversee fundraising, budgets, investments, and strategic partnerships while guiding Heritage Stores and Badger Hole operations.

The role offers flexibility in work location with travel across the state and occasional in-person presence at the Pierre office. Salary ranges from $85,000 to $95,000 plus benefits.

Qualifications

• Executive or senior leadership experience in nonprofit management, philanthropy, business, higher education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading comprehensive fundraising efforts and cultivating significant philanthropic support.
• Experience managing organizational budgets, financial planning, and staff leadership.
• Experience working effectively with governing boards.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the Board to identify philanthropic opportunities and advance fundraising priorities.
• Personally cultivate and solicit leadership gifts, building lasting relationships with donors.
• Ensure sound financial stewardship through effective budgeting, financial planning, and investment oversight, working closely with the finance committee and Board.
• Maintain appropriate internal controls, financial oversight, and separation of duties by working closely with the staff, Board and finance committee.
• Monitor investments, endowments, cash flow, and financial performance, ensuring compliance with Foundation policies and nonprofit best practices.
• Partner with the Board to establish strategic priorities, implement goals, evaluate performance, and recommend strategies that strengthen long-term success.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the Heritage Stores and Badger Hole operations, including retail management, marketing, and related revenue generating activities.
• Work with staff, the Board and volunteers to strengthen membership in the South Dakota State Historical Society.
• Recruit, develop, supervise, and evaluate Foundation staff.
• Serve as the Foundation's principal spokesperson and ambassador to strengthen public awareness and support for the mission.
• Provide leadership for Foundation operations, technology, communications, and administrative systems.

Skills

Executive leadership

Fundraising

Donor cultivation

Strategic planning

Communication

Job description

South Dakota Historical Society Foundation seeks a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead philanthropy, governance, and long-term sustainability. You will oversee fundraising, budgets, investments, and strategic partnerships while guiding Heritage Stores and Badger Hole operations.

The role offers flexibility in work location with travel across the state and occasional in-person presence at the Pierre office. Salary ranges from $85,000 to $95,000 plus benefits.