Executive Director, St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum

Summary of Position
The Board of Directors of the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum seeks an experienced and entrepreneurial leader to serve as its Executive Director at an exciting moment of transformation and growth. This is an opportunity to lead a museum with 25 years of history and support as it opens a new chapter and establishes itself as an important regional destination and resource. The Executive Director will join the Museum staff after the recent opening of its newly expanded and renovated facility, which quadruples the size of the original museum. The new state-of-the art Museum includes impactful exhibits and innovative spaces that seek to foster empathy and empower visitors to take action against bigotry. During this period of growth, the Executive Director will spearhead the development of a strategic plan and sustainable operating model for the Museum, while providing leadership to a staff responsible for all aspects of Museum operations, including fundraising, programmatic direction, marketing, financial management, and guidance of the Museum’s dynamic staff and volunteers.

About the Museum
The St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum grew out of the desire of St. Louis area survivors to ensure the history and lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten. Originally called the St. Louis Holocaust Museum & Learning Center, the Museum first opened to the public in 1995 in a small space within the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. The Museum drew more than 30,000 visitors per year with its powerful mission to use the history and lessons of the Holocaust to reject hatred, promote understanding, and inspire change.

On November 2, 2022, the Museum staff and consultants opened a new 36,000 square foot facility. The $25 million expansion and renovation project includes a permanent Holocaust exhibition, classrooms, a performance auditorium, archives, and a special exhibit space. It also includes a new, first of its kind, Impact Lab, a highly interactive space in which visitors are empowered to consider contemporary issues and challenges through the lens of the Holocaust. The newly expanded Museum will welcome over 60,000 visitors each year, including students, educators, community organizations, law enforcement, religious groups, and more. The Museum is an important destination and resource for the entire region.

Historically a department of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, the Museum now operates as an independent nonprofit organization. The Jewish Federation will continue to maintain a special relationship with the Museum and will continue to invest in and provide certain shared services to the Museum to enhance efficiency and reduce the need for additional staff. The Museum’s 2023 operating budget is $2.1 million, with staff growing to 12-14 and a passionately dedicated group of over 100 volunteers.

About St. Louis
St. Louis is the largest metropolitan area in Missouri, with a population of 2.8 million. Located close to the geographic center of the country, the city has a diverse economy with strengths in the service, manufacturing, trade, and tourism industries. It is gaining a reputation as a top start-up city, as exemplified by the Cortex District in Midtown. Multiple hospitals provide world class medical care. Within the region are several major universities, including Washington University in St. Louis, Webster University, St. Louis University, and University of Missouri, St. Louis.

In its long, rich history, St. Louis has developed charming neighborhoods in both the city and the suburbs. Long known for its family friendly, accessible communities and modest cost of living, it is an easy city to navigate. It is also a very philanthropic city; in 2017, Charity Navigator ranked St. Louis the third most charitable city in the nation.

The area has a thriving cultural scene that includes the St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri Historical Society, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Science Center, Opera Theater St. Louis, and St. Louis Symphony. It is dotted with venues for classical, jazz, folk and blues, and rock music. An essential city for foodies, it boasts award-winning chefs and restaurants and was recently voted the “next best food city” by readers of Food & Wine. It’s easy to find fine dining, ethnic restaurants, microbreweries and wineries, and independent coffee shops. The citizens support their sports teams vigorously, especially the St. Louis Cardinals and the Blues. For soccer fans, St. Louis is home to a new professional soccer team with a brand new stadium. The city is home to more than 100 parks, including 1,300-acre Forest Park (ranked #1 city park by USA Today), where visitors can enjoy many of the area’s premier museums and cultural attractions, including the world class St. Louis Zoo and The Muny, the largest outdoor municipal theater in the country.

Responsibilities
The Executive Director reports to the Museum Board of Directors and has full authority and responsibility as the chief executive officer of the Museum. Responsibilities include:

• Initiating and implementing a strategic plan and sustainable operating model, resulting in a renewed vision and priorities.
• Leading the staff to create and promote innovative and impactful exhibitions and programs that support the Museum’s mission and vision.
• Serving as a highly visible leader, chief spokesperson, and advocate for the Museum in the community and the region.
• Recruiting, leading, and mentoring an effective team; maintaining a positive, healthy work environment that attracts, motivates, and retains a diverse staff of energetic, top-quality employees.
• Working with and supporting a large, well-trained volunteer group to implement the Museum’s vision.
• Partnering with the Board in leadership of the Museum; helping to further develop the Board with individuals whose diversity, skills, experience, connections, and capacity meet the Museum’s aspirations.
• Establishing an effective fundraising infrastructure and playing a vital role in developing the donor base, cultivating relationships, and soliciting major gifts.
• Developing, managing, and growing the annual operating budget to support the Museum’s operations and programming.
• Enhancing community outreach to broaden and deepen the Museum’s impact.

Ideal Candidate Characteristics
The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Passion for the Museum’s mission and vision; understanding of and appreciation for the history of the Holocaust and Judaism
• Deep knowledge of museum practices and standards
• Entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative leadership skills
• Ability to lead, mentor, and develop, recognize and reward high-performing teams of professional staff and volunteers, and foster a positive and healthy work environment
• Record of success in financial management, fundraising, community relations, marketing, and Board development
• A core commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social responsibility
• Persuasive, passionate, and authentic communicator
• Empathy, compassion, and an attentive listener
• Understanding of community leadership and participation

Experience/Education
A minimum of three years of senior leadership experience in a museum. Bachelor’s degree is required; master’s degree in history, anthropology, museum studies, or a closely aligned field is preferred.

Compensation
The Museum offers competitive compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience. A benefits package will also be provided. Salary Range: $170,000 – $220,000

Application Procedure
Individuals applying for this position should send a letter of interest and resume to:

Museum Management Consultants, Inc.
mmc@museum-management.com

Position is open until filled