HERITAGE MANAGER I

State of Arkansas; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 71,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock seeks an innovative leader to direct a premier history museum and living history site. The Director provides strategic leadership over collections, exhibits, education, and community engagement.

The position oversees budgeting, fundraising, staff supervision, and alignment with state heritage goals, collaborating with Arkansas Heritage and educators to expand impact and relevance.

Qualifications

• Strategic thinking for complex programs.
• Proven leadership in heritage or museum settings.
• Experience with budgets, grants, and reporting.
• Strong communication and policy advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of state heritage programs and preservation strategies.
• Oversee heritage site management, conservation, and cultural programs.
• Ensure compliance with preservation laws and grant requirements.
• Develop long-term plans for site maintenance and programming.
• Identify and secure grants and external funding; manage budgets and reporting.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Public policy

Budget management

Grant writing

Communication

Museum administration

Job description

The Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas, seeks an innovative and dynamic leader to direct one of the state's premier history museums and living history sites. Located in the heart of downtown Little Rock, the museum preserves and interprets Arkansas's rich cultural heritage through nationally recognized collections, historic structures, educational programming, exhibits, and community engagement. The museum campus includes restored antebellum homes and historic buildings, including the 1827 Hinderliter Tavern, the oldest surviving structure in Little Rock, alongside galleries featuring Arkansas-made art, artifacts, and rotating exhibitions. Visitors experience Arkansas history through exhibits, living history demonstrations, special events, and hands‑on educational opportunities.

The Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for all museum functions, including collections management, exhibits, historic properties, education programs, visitor services, marketing, fundraising support, budgeting, and staff supervision. The position oversees a diverse portfolio that includes permanent and temporary exhibitions, K-12 educational programs, field trips, living history interpretation, public programming, artisan demonstrations, community partnerships, and stewardship of historic structures and collections. The Director will work closely with museum staff, Arkansas Heritage leadership, stakeholders, donors, educators, and community organizations to expand the museum's impact and relevance while ensuring professional museum standards are maintained.

Position Information

Job Series: Museums and Archives – Competitive

Classification: Heritage Manager I

Class Code: RMA06C

Pay Grade: SPC03

Salary Range: $71,027- $105,120

Job Summary

The Heritage Manager I plays a key leadership role in the management, development, and implementation of heritage and historic preservation programs across Arkansas. This position is responsible for overseeing multiple heritage initiatives, managing resources, and ensuring compliance with state and federal preservation regulations.

Primary Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of state heritage programs, policies, and preservation strategies. Oversee heritage site management, conservation efforts, and cultural programs. Ensure compliance with state and federal historic preservation laws, grant requirements, and best practices. Develop and implement long‑term plans for historical site maintenance, programming, and community outreach. Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, making recommendations for continuous improvement. Assist in developing and managing program budgets, ensuring responsible fiscal stewardship. Identify and secure grants and external funding sources for heritage projects and cultural programs. Oversee financial reports, ensuring compliance with state fiscal policies. Represent the agency at public meetings, legislative sessions, and historical preservation conferences. Provide leadership and mentorship to a small to medium sized heritage program staff and site managers. Assist in drafting and implementing policies related to heritage conservation and cultural resource management. Ensure programs align with Arkansas heritage laws, federal guidelines, and best practices in historical preservation.

Knowledge And Skills

Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving skills to manage complex heritage programs. Ability to lead large teams, build consensus, and implement policy changes effectively. Experience in developing and executing long‑term strategic initiatives. Understanding of historical preservation practices, cultural programming, and museum administration. Familiarity with state and federal historic preservation laws, grant programs, and funding processes. Experience in public speaking, media relations, and legislative advocacy. Proficiency in budget management, grant writing, and financial oversight. Strong project management skills to coordinate multiple programs, contracts, and funding sources. Excellent oral and written communication skills to develop reports, presentations, and policy recommendations. Ability to translate complex heritage policies and preservation guidelines into accessible information for public use. Ability to interpret statistical data and performance metrics to assess program success.

Minimum Qualifications

At least three years of experience in historic preservation, heritage management, museum administration, public policy, or a related field, including one year in a leadership role.

Licensure/Certifications

N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.