Director

About us:
The Northwest Carriage Museum is located in Raymond, WA and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We opened our doors in 2002 with a donation of 21 horse-drawn vehicles from a private collection. We have since grown the collection to 64 horse-drawn vehicles and thousands of 19th-century artifacts. We are known throughout the world and have cultivated a reputation for excellence of presentation of our collection, as well as for one-on-one engagement with visitors. We are the largest nonprofit advertiser in Pacific County apart from the DMO, and we take great pride in standing out as a destination for PNW visitors, attracting folks from all over the US and the world to our small town. The Museum places a heavy focus on being connected to the community, supporting small businesses, bringing economic vitality to the area through our visitors, and being supportive of other nonprofits, cultural institutions, and civic organizations in Pacific County.

Job Summary:
The Northwest Carriage Museum seeks an experienced, dynamic, articulate museum Director to lead our efforts to engage and educate current and future generations by preserving and sharing horse-drawn history. The Director will work closely with the Curator, Director Emeritus, and Board of Directors and oversee a small team, typically one or two part-time employees. This individual will represent and manage the museum, be responsible for operations, marketing, community liaison, and visitor interaction. As a small nonprofit, the staff is small—the Director is the point person for everything and the position requires an individual who is flexible, a quick study, values face-to-face interactions with customers, and is committed to maintaining a positive and collaborative environment. This job is easy to love and deeply rewarding: the Director is the primary point of contact for visitors, and will spend a great deal of time speaking to customers—these are often folks who are on vacation, seeking cultural experiences, and looking to be inspired by a glimpse into another time. As such, you won’t find a more ideal and fulfilling customer service setting. You will get to set the imaginations of visitors alight with amazing information about our stunning collection, and hear the stories of their experiences, ancestors, and the passions for the past that brought them through our doors. This job offers wonderful opportunities to think creatively, problem solve, and cultivate new ideas and opportunities to grow and improve the museum in reach, programming, presentation, and audience. This role is perfect for a friendly and outgoing self-starter who likes variety in their day, learning new skills, and wearing many hats.

Qualifications and Requirements:

·         College degree preferred, but not required for the right candidate

·         3+ years of progressively responsible museum, nonprofit, or business management experience is preferred

·         Excellent verbal and written skills

·         Dynamic and attentive leadership skills with the ability to maintain museum culture through constructive discussion with employees and volunteers

·         Dedication to creating programs, marketing, and events that engage and involve the public

·         Strong passion for history and dedication to preserving heritage

·         Up-to-date computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Experience using membership database software, Past Perfect is a plus. Position will require the frequent use of visual design software for the creation of ads, signage, social media posts, etc.—experience is preferred, but willingness and ability to learn will be considered for the right candidate. A basic eye for design aesthetics and an ability to create compelling and professional visuals is a must.

·         Experience with QuickBooks and payroll software is a plus

Job Description:
The Director is responsible for carrying out the Museum’s mission and vision, interfacing with visitors, marketing the museum, growing membership and cultivating relationships with new and existing donors, managing part-time staff and volunteers, and operating the Museum’s facilities and programs. The Director will also develop and promote a favorable impression of the Northwest Carriage Museum in the community. This individual works independently with guidance from the Director Emeritus and Curator.

Director Responsibilities:

·         Oversees day to day operation of the organization

·         Supervising responsibilities for staff and volunteers

·         Oversees Museum’s historical collection of vehicles and artifacts

·         Assists in development of annual budget, fundraisers, and event planning

·         Operates payroll system and QuickBooks

·         Responsible for monthly, quarterly and annual reports

·         Researches to secure grant funding, completes grant applications, and ensures timely reporting

·         Oversees Information Technology, including hardware, software, internet, and corresponding contracts. Ensures that proper hardware and software are in place to facilitate customer relations management, document creation and storage, communication, productivity, and record-keeping. Responsible for basic maintenance and updating of the website: familiarity with WordPress is a plus.

·         Serves as the primary advocate and spokesperson for NWCM while encouraging and developing Museum ambassadors throughout the county and beyond

·         Oversees outbound media, including press releases, social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and Pinterest), and creates, coordinates, and distributes ads and marketing media, and Quarterly Email Newsletter to Members

·         Responsible for ad creation and marketing of the Museum

·         Stewards relationships with donors and foundations, and demonstrates that their gifts are used to effectively support the organization’s mission and as earmarked by the donor, if applicable

·         Fosters a positive environment, provides input and strategic direction along with setting goals and monitoring to ensure Museum growth

Salary and Benefits: The base salary for the Director position ranges from $40,000 to $50,000, commensurate with experience and skills. The position requires a 32-35 hour workweek. Museum is open daily from 10-4. Hours will periodically include evening events, tours, and Board Meetings.
To Apply: If you are interested in being considered for this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter, along with three references, to [email protected].
Job Type: Near full-time (32-35 hours per week)
Pay: $40,000 – $50,000 per year
Benefits: Paid time off
Schedule: 6-7 hour day shift (Museum hours are 10am to 4pm). Must be available weekends and occasional evenings as needed.