Job Title: Executive Director
Organization: Des Plaines History Center
Location: Des Plaines, Illinois
Position Type: Full-time

About the Des Plaines History Center:

The Des Plaines History Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the history of Des Plaines, Illinois. Through exhibits, educational programs, and community events, the History Center engages visitors of all ages, enriching the cultural life of the community. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to serve as our Executive Director.

Job Summary:

The Executive Director of the Des Plaines History Center is a key leadership position responsible for the overall management, growth, and success of the organization. This role requires a seasoned professional with a strong background in nonprofit operations, leadership, and fundraising. The Executive Director will lead a dedicated team, engage with the community, and ensure the organization’s mission and goals are achieved.

Ideally, you’ll be a self-starter and looking to collaborate with a supportive Board and volunteer team to identify and implement new ideas, funding sources, and expand the Center’s base.

— Key Responsibilities —

Leadership and Strategic Management:

•  Provide strategic leadership to the organization and its staff.

•  Foster a positive and collaborative work environment.

•  Supervise and support a team of dedicated professionals and volunteers.

•  Oversee the day-to-day operations of the History Center.

Nonprofit Operations:

•  Oversee the financial health of the organization, including budget development and management.

•  Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

•  Manage and enhance organizational systems and processes.

•  Implement and monitor policies and procedures.

Fundraising and Development:

•  Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including grants, donations, and membership programs.

•  Cultivate relationships with donors, sponsors, and partners.

•  Manage and track fundraising efforts and financial goals.

Program Development and Outreach:

•  Collaborate with staff to develop engaging and educational programs and exhibits.

•  Act as a spokesperson for the organization, representing it at community events and with local media.

•  Develop and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders.

Events and Community Engagement:

•  Plan and execute fundraising events, community programs, and educational initiatives.

•  Engage with the local community to promote the History Center’s mission and offerings.

Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; Master’s degree preferred.

•  Proven experience in nonprofit leadership and operations, 5 years in a management role would be preferred.

•  Strong fundraising and development skills, including grant writing and donor cultivation.

•  Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

•  Knowledge of and passion for local history and cultural preservation.

•  Proficiency in financial management and budgeting.

•  Experience in event planning and execution is a plus.

Salary and Benefits:
Salary Range: $55,000–$65,000 annually

Full-time employees are eligible for our benefits package.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, a cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the position to applications@desplaineshistory.org. Please include “Executive Director Application” in the subject line.

The Des Plaines History Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects our community’s history and values.

Description

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list. 

The State Historical Society of Iowa’s (SHSI) mission at the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is to preserve state history and educate the public on Iowa’s past. To accomplish our mission, we are seeking a talented, highly qualified, and passionate candidate to join the State Historical Museum of Iowa’s team as State Curator/Museum Curator (Curator). A successful candidate will play a key role in preserving and sharing Iowa’s rich history. In this integral role, you will be at the heart of our preservation and education efforts.

Do you have a passion for curating museum collections, a keen eye for historical detail, and experience creating engaging exhibits? Join our team!

Position Responsibilities:

A key individual is being sought to provide curatorial oversight for the State Historical Museum of Iowa’s collections (100,000+ objects), engage with donors and constituents, represent SHSI in public and with the media, provide public engagement for learners at all levels, collaborate with the Registrar and Collections Coordinator to manage the museum’s collections, and work with the Exhibits Manager and museum team to develop exhibitions. This position will report to the Museum Collections & Exhibits team manager.

In this vital role, you will:

• Provide curatorial leadership and strategic oversight for the Museum’s collections.
• Actively engage with donors, stakeholders, and the broader public to build support and enthusiasm for Iowa’s history.
• Represent the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) in media appearances, public forums, and professional settings.
• Deliver meaningful educational experiences for learners of all ages.
• Collaborate closely with the Registrar, Collections Coordinator, Exhibits Manager, and the museum team to manage collections and curate compelling exhibitions.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Making thoughtful recommendations on acquisitions and deaccessions to strengthen the collection.
• Participating in collections committees at both staff and board levels.
• Helping shape and annually update SHSI’s collecting plan.
• Assisting researchers, staff, and the public with Iowa history inquiries.
• Leading content creation for exhibitions, including artifact selection, research, and label writing.
• Partnering with the SHSI Education Team to develop public programming that brings history to life.
• Representing the museum through engaging tours, historical presentations, and community events.
• Strengthening relationships across Iowa by providing outreach and technical assistance to historical and cultural organizations.

This position is based at the State Historical Building in Des Moines, with a primary schedule of 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday. Ability to work occasionally on evenings and weekends for programming and events is required. Some travel is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience as a museum curator and/or public historian
• Knowledgeable about Iowa and Midwest history
• Experience researching and evaluating potential acquisitions for inclusion in the collection and existing collections for context and mission alignment
• Previous experience developing museum exhibitions and using artifacts and images to tell engaging history stories
• Previous experience writing clear and concise interpretive exhibit text for general audiences
• Strong public speaking skills and ability to engage a variety of audiences and the media; comfortable being in a public-facing role
• Strong writing skills and ability to simplify complex and nuanced historical topics for public consumption
• Previous experience in doing public engagement for learners at a variety of levels
• Experience using a museum collections management system
• Strong organizational, critical thinking, time management, and communication skills
• Capable of working independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• Ability to communicate effectively within a collaborative team environment
• Knowledgeable about museum ethics and best practices
• Ability to carefully handle collection artifacts, including fragile and large objects
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs
• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with course work in history, public history, museum studies, curatorial–museum management, historic preservation and the equivalent of at least four years of full time experience in curatorial museum work, public history, museums, professional research, education, or other experience associated with history, museums, historic sites, and/or historic preservation.

Benefits:

At the State of Iowa, we are committed to your well-being. As a valued team member, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Options.
• Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).
• Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.
• Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.

To learn more about the benefits of working with the State of Iowa, visit our benefits webpage.

About the State Historical Society of Iowa

The State Historical Society of Iowa has been a trustee of Iowa’s historical legacy since 1857. With a dual mission of preservation and education, the society maintains a museum, two research centers and seven historic sites. The society preserves and provides access to Iowa’s historical resources through a variety of statewide programs, exhibitions and projects while serving as an advocate for Iowa’s past and connector to the future. Learn more here: https://history.iowa.gov/about/strategic-plans

Selectives

109 Curator – Museum Management:

Curator – Museum Management 6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the overseeing and management of a museum.

AND

277 History:

6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both where a knowledge of history and the ability to share/apply that knowledge were major competencies required by the job and where history was in some way applied as a major job function such as:

• Historian
• Archivist
• History teacher (where the bulk of the time was spent teaching history)
• History professor or instructor

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in history, anthropology, archeology, architecture, curatorial/museum management, literature, English, art, natural history, architectural history, library science, or historic preservation, and experience equal to one year of full-time work in professional research, museum, education, editing, or other experience associated with history, anthropology, archaeology, architecture, architectural history, art, museums, historic sites, or historic preservation.

2) A total of five years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in history, anthropology, archeology, architecture, curatorial/museum management, literature, English, art, natural history, architectural history, library science, or historic preservation equals one year of full-time experience.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description (Download PDF reader).

Additional Qualification Requirements

• Knowledgeable about museum operations, collections management, and exhibition development
• Knowledgeable of museum best practices related to collections management and exhibition development
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with visitors, constituents, and colleagues
• Demonstrates initiative, commitment, and attention to detail
• Adheres to ethical standards, follows policies, and cooperates with supervisors
• Promotes teamwork, cooperation, and group identity
• Effective in communicating with visitors, maintaining a polite and helpful demeanor
• Capable of working independently and collaboratively within a team environment

To apply please visit the State of Iowa’s hiring portal here.

Manager of Collections and Visitor Experience
Position Description

Job Summary:

The Manager of Collections and Visitor Experience will manage collections, including maintenance and supervision of artifact storage, cataloging, and accessioning. They will also coordinate all aspects of the museum’s membership program, assist with tours, and general operations of the facility. Other duties may vary based on the needs of the museum. The position will report directly to the Executive Director.

Major Responsibilities:

• Maintains and supervises the maintenance of artifacts and organization in storage.
  Supervises and completes artifact cataloging, including numbering, physical description, photography, and placement in storage.
• Manages and maintains collection records (worksheets, conservation records, inventories, and computer data)
• Reviews collections work completed by volunteers.
• Assists in exhibit development and interpretive programs.
• Responsible for the Museum’s continuing efforts to promote and increase all areas of membership (individual, family, corporate/business).
• Executes personal follow-up plan for membership renewals, lapsed memberships, and new prospect solicitation.
• Responsible for data entry and keeping up-to-date records, solicitation, and renewal letter input and generation, and mailing of membership cards.
• Attends professional meetings when appropriate and feasible, including board meetings.
• Position will require working occasional weekends, including Sundays.
• Will be responsible for coordinating and assisting with special fundraising and member events.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to, guest tours, gift shop duties, cleaning, etc…

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of: General office management principles and practices, including record maintenance, cash handling, inventory management, and general history of the area/tourism industry.

Skill in: Communicating clearly and effectively, orally and in writing, with the public, community organizations, tourism providers, and staff. Must be able to read and interpret policies and procedures; prepare a variety of reports, records, and correspondences; maintain a filing and recordkeeping system. Skills in social media, web design, and collections software are a plus.

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in History or a similar field, including museum studies or a related field.

Experience: Must possess customer service, cash handling, and museum knowledge. 3-5 years of collections experience is preferred, but not required.

Physical Demands Requirements and Working Conditions:

This is primarily an office classification, although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. The ability to climb stairs is also required. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects that weigh up to 50 pounds without assistance. Employees work in an environment with limited noise levels and controlled temperatures. Employees may interact with upset members of the public or their representatives while enforcing museum policies and procedures.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits. Benefits include PTO, 403b plan, and health insurance stipend. Starting wage of $17.00 per hour, but negotiable based on experience. After completing a 3-month probationary period, employees can receive tuition and travel support for professional development as the budget allows.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest via email to Ashley LaVigne, Executive Director at koochmuseums@gmail.com, or by mail to:

Koochiching County Historical Society

Attn: Ashley LaVigne

214 6th Avenue

International Falls, MN 56649

Applications should be submitted by May 31st, 2025. Should the position go unfilled, it will re-open and stay open until the vacancy is filled.