Museum Operations Manager

New England Museum Association; Dedham, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fairbanks House Museum in Dedham, Massachusetts seeks an energetic, organized Museum Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day operations, oversee staff and volunteers, and coordinate programs and fundraising initiatives. You will guide daily operations, staff, and facilities while ensuring an outstanding visitor experience at one of America’s oldest historic sites.

You’ll work with a highly engaged Board, volunteers, and community partners to transform strategic goals into measurable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in nonprofit administration, museum studies, historic site management, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience leading operations, projects, staff, or volunteers.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proficiency with common office software and digital collaboration tools.
• Experience working in a museum, historic site, cultural institution, or nonprofit organization.
• Volunteer management and event planning experience.
• Familiarity with donor databases, membership programs, grant administration, or fundraising support.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day museum operations and visitor services.
• Support museum staff and volunteers.
• Coordinate public programs, special events, and educational activities.
• Manage membership, donor, volunteer, and organizational records.
• Oversee operational planning, scheduling, and Board project implementation.
• Coordinate facility maintenance, preservation projects, and contractor activities.
• Support fundraising efforts, grant administration, and membership initiatives.
• Prepare reports and communicate organizational progress to the President and Board.
• Foster a collaborative, welcoming, and mission-focused culture for visitors, staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Communication skills

Nonprofit/museum operations

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

Job description

The Fairbanks House Museum, the oldest surviving timber-frame house in North America (c.1637), is seeking an energetic, organized, and mission-driven Museum Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of one of New England's most significant historic sites.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a nonprofit or museum professional who thrives in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same. You'll work alongside a highly engaged Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers, staff, and community partners to transform strategic goals into measurable results while ensuring an outstanding visitor experience.

As the Museum's operational leader, you'll oversee daily museum operations, staff and volunteer coordination, events, membership administration, donor stewardship, facilities coordination, project management, and implementation of major organizational initiatives. You'll play a central role in helping preserve nearly 400 years of American history while supporting the continued growth of a vibrant nonprofit organization.

What You'll Do

You'll be responsible for leading the Museum's daily operations while ensuring the successful execution of Board-approved priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead day-to-day museum operations and visitor services.
• Support museum staff and volunteers.
• Coordinate public programs, special events, and educational activities.
• Manage membership, donor, volunteer, and organizational records.
• Oversee operational planning, scheduling, and Board project implementation.
• Coordinate facility maintenance, preservation projects, and contractor activities.
• Support fundraising efforts, grant administration, and membership initiatives.
• Prepare reports and communicate organizational progress to the President and Board.
• Foster a collaborative, welcoming, and mission-focused culture for visitors, staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in nonprofit administration, museum studies, historic site management, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience leading operations, projects, staff, or volunteers.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proficiency with common office software and digital collaboration tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a museum, historic site, cultural institution, or nonprofit organization.
• Volunteer management and event planning experience.
• Familiarity with donor databases, membership programs, grant administration, or fundraising support.
• Interest in historic preservation and public history.
• Experience conducting philanthropic outreach and engagement.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for someone who:

• Enjoys solving problems and building efficient systems.
• Is equally comfortable leading projects and greeting visitors.
• Can motivate staff and volunteers while keeping multiple initiatives moving forward.
• Brings strong organizational skills and a collaborative leadership style.
• Is passionate about preserving history and serving the public.
• Thrives in a growing organization where creativity and initiative are valued.
• Is willing to learn new skills and share knowledge with others.

Why Join the Fairbanks House Museum?

The Fairbanks House Museum is entering an exciting period of growth, with major preservation projects, expanded programming, increased community engagement, and ambitious plans for the future. Guided by the mission of the Fairbanks Family in America to preserve the historic Fairbanks House and its collections while educating the public, the Museum is investing in its facilities, collections, volunteers, and visitor experience.

This position offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of America's most important historic sites while helping shape the future of a nationally significant museum.

• Position: Museum Operations Manager
• Location: Dedham, Massachusetts
• Reports To: President, Fairbanks Family in America Board of Directors
• Schedule: Full-Time (some evenings and weekends required for programs and special events)
• Compensation: $55,000 - $65,000 – or salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Promotion Potential: Yes