Job Posting Executive Director-Port Huron Museum, Port Huron, Michigan
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Job Posting Executive Director-Port Huron Museum, Port Huron, Michigan The Port Huron Museum is a series of four museums located near Lake Huron in Port Huron, Michigan, United States. It includes the Carnegie Center – Port Huron Museum, Huron Lightship, Thomas Edison Depot Museum, and Fort Gratiot Light Station, including the Fort Gratiot Hospital. The Carnegie Center was constructed in 1902 by Pittsburgh-based steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie for $45,000. It is now the Port Huron Museum’s main location, but was originally the Port Huron Public Library. After the city library merged with the St. Clair County Library, the building was slated for demolition. Through the dedicated efforts of concerned volunteers, the Museum of Arts & History opened its doors on May 3, 1968. The Carnegie recently completed Phase I of a $250,000 renovation. The Port Huron Museum is home to more than 45,000 objects and archival items relating to the history, pre-history and culture of the Blue Water Area. While all sites have items from the Port Huron Museum’s collection, the majority of the object, document and photograph collections are housed at the main museum. The Port Huron Museum is proud to display the largest ship model collection throughout Michigan in our continually growing James C. Acheson Marine Gallery. A 6,000+ square feet gallery space houses rotating exhibits. The HURON Lightship was the last operating lightship on the Great Lakes, and served for more than 50 years when she was retired in 1970. For 36 of those years, she was stationed at Corsica Shoals, a sandy area six miles north of Port Huron. She was permanently moored in sand, along the banks of the St. Clair River in scenic Pine Grove Park, Port Huron, MI. There is an extensive collection of artifacts, including many model ships. It was dedicated in 1990 as a National Historic Landmark. The Thomas Edison Depot Museum, opened in 2001, as the second satellite facility to open as part of the Port Huron Museum. It is housed inside the historic Fort Gratiot train depot built in 1858 by the Grand Trunk Railway. It is the actual depot that Thomas Edison worked out of as a news reporter between 1859 and 1863. Trains connecting here carried people and freight between Port Huron and Detroit, Point Edward/Sarnia (Ontario), and other destinations, linking Port Huron to the rest of the world. The exhibits portray Edison’s multi-faceted story of creativity, family support, adversity, perseverance, and ultimate triumph as one of the greatest inventors of our time. Recreated period environments and hands-on displays invite visitors to become participants in this inspiring story and encourage them to apply their own creativity and ingenuity as they learn about Edison’s life and his inventions. Fort Gratiot Light Station, Michigan’s oldest lighthouse, was established in 1814, on the military Fort Gratiot, named after General Charles Gratiot. This fort was established to guard the juncture of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River. With a surge of vessel traffic on Lake Huron in the early 1800s, the need for a Light Station to guide vessels through the water way became very important. At the lighthouse site is also the Fort Gratiot Hospital. This was built in 1814 along the St. Clair River as a strategic military reservation, charged to defend the St. Clair River and Lake Huron in the War of 1812. In 1829-30, the fort was rebuilt with timber-framed structures, including the officers’ quarters and the hospital building. THE POSITION The Executive Director reports to a volunteer Board of Trustees, consisting of up to 20 members, through its Chair and Executive Committee. In this role, he/she will support the board as needed, including but not limited to attending meetings and activities. In addition, he/she will oversee of a staff of more than 15 employees, seasonal workers and volunteers who support the operations of the organization. The Executive Director will take a leadership role in initiating and development of all fundraising activities; work in collaboration with the board and the development staff to secure established relationships and aggressively seek new sources of support from individuals, corporations, foundations and government. In addition, the Executive Director will initiate grant opportunities to allow the Museum to continue with the next phase of the renovation. She/he will be the museum’s chief spokesperson and will have or acquire a comprehensive understanding of the museum’s mission, role and potential, including knowledge of the museum’s history, collection, culture, programs, funding, partnerships and operations. The Executive Director is responsible for the museum’s strategic direction and is accountable for all aspects of its operation including, programming, financial management, marketing, fundraising and community engagement. She/he will be a visible and involved participant in community affairs and comfortable interacting with a wide range of people. The Executive Director will: • Be a responsible and enthusiastic steward of the museum’s assets: collection, annual revenue and budget, facilities, staff and relationships with volunteers and donors, the Board of Trustees and the city of Port Huron. • Assess the current operating structure, including program implementation and staffing; suggest changes when needed; ensure an infrastructure that will achieve the museum’s goals and objectives. • Develop and monitor annual operating budgets and plans to ensure that the necessary human and financial resources are available; provide responsible management for the Museum’s business operations and physical plants. • Develop a comprehensive marketing program that will promote the collection, its value and uniqueness and the Museum’s innovative educational and exhibition programs to funders and the general public. • Inspire staff, understand their strengths and concerns, and encourage each member’s professional growth. • Maintain frequent communication with the Board, staff and volunteers all within a collegial working environment. Minimum Qualifications: BA in business, museum management or related degree. Five or more years of managerial experience. Please send a letter of interest and resume’ to: Veronica Campbell [email protected] Deadline: January 5, 2018 .