Deputy Administrator, Museum & Historic Sites Post dates: 4/13-5/9

The Wisconsin State Historical Society, considered one of the nation's finest historical institutions, is a State of Wisconsin government agency as well as a mission-driven entrepreneurial organization. The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. At its core, the Society believes that increasing the public's knowledge of history has profound societal, cultural, and economic benefit. The Society’s values are to Embrace a Spirit of Service, Engage our Expertise, Spark Enthusiasm, Cultivate Inclusion, Exceed Expectations, and Think Big and Grow with Purpose. Its collections, historic sites and museums, historic preservation office and extensive educational programs are focused on enriching and transforming lives through unparalleled access to history. Wisconsin Historical Society believes that increasing the public’s knowledge of history has profound societal, cultural, and economic benefit.

Job Description The Deputy Administrator works collaboratively to enhance and support the eleven historic sites and attractions within the Wisconsin Historical Society. Specifically, this position focuses and supports the historic sites and houses within the division (Black Point Estate & Gardens, Wade House, Pendarvis, Stonefield, Villa Louis, First Capitol, HH Bennett Studio and Museum, Reed School, and Madeline Island), while guiding annual operations of the entire Division.

The Deputy Administrator works closely and in collaboration with the Administrator and Site Directors to achieve the long-term goals of the WHS. This includes developing comprehensive division and site interpretive and experiential strategies, coalescing a team around shared objectives, strengthening collaboration within the division and across the institution, and bringing best practices to multi-year business planning and financial stability. Most importantly, this position will guide the strengthening of relationships between the sites and their immediate communities and stakeholders.

WHS is entering an exciting era of growth and embracing public history to develop programming that is relevant and mutually beneficial to communities. The Deputy Administrator must be accustomed to leading through change and providing growth and learning opportunities to support the DMHS team. Paramount to this role is the ability to strengthen strategic planning and scaffolding of annual objectives to reach long-term goals.

Primary focuses of this position include: • Lead operations of the DMHS to achieve best practices, fiscal sustainability, thorough business plans, and promotions that boost the unique experiences of each location. • Work collaboratively with Wisconsin Historical Foundation on the preparation of strategic grant proposals, in-kind gifts, and other funding requests that align to long-term institutional and site strategies. • Serve as member of DMHS Leadership team by attending meetings, participating and discussions, and serving on project teams as requested. • Collaborate with Facilities and IT to establish priority capital projects and routine maintenance to ensure preservation of historic structures and infrastructure. • Enhance annual business planning process by establishing milestones and processes to develop multi-year planning for programs, attendance goals, and financial stability. • Guide the enhancement of the interpretive strategies to strengthen visitor experiences across the Division. • Guide the creation of 10-year strategic visions for visitor experiences at the sites that aligns to the long-range goals of the WHS. • Collaborate with Site Directors and Experience Design Department to enhance their visions for visitor experiences and creative engagement.

BENCHMARKS

Your resume and cover letter are a required part of the application and will be reviewed as part of the assessment process. It is important to clearly identify in your cover letter and resume your training and experience in the areas indicated:

Minimally qualified candidate will have experience in ALL of the following: • Experience with community engagement through multiple disciplines, especially practicing shared authority, public history, and collaborating with historically marginalized communities. • Ability to generate revenue through creative programming, fundraising (including grants), and/or operations. • Experience working at a historic site or house, traditional or outdoor museum, or multi- location cultural attraction. • Leading meetings, workshops, or trainings to strengthen skillsets. • Led planning in key areas of work: multi-year strategy, business plans, and interpretive or experience plans. • Demonstrated experience supervising and managing staff (assigning work, creating performance evaluations, initiating staffing decisions)

In addition to minimum qualifications, a well-qualified candidate will possess at least one of the following: • Leading a department focused on programs, events, or experience design/exhibits or multiple historic sites. • Designing programming and/or experiences that are notably and demonstrably engaging, innovative, and/or multi-generational. • Managing a multifaceted and complex budget and working with a team to achieve intricate and collaborative budgetary goals.

Salary Information: Starting salary is $43.27-$52.41 per hour depending on experience and qualifications ($90,000 to $109,000 annual salary), plus excellent benefits. This position is in pay schedule and range 81-01. A two year career executive trial period will be required.

Special Notes: A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment to determine if the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job.

To be considered for this position applicants must complete the online process through the provided link.

Your submission will be evaluated by one or more job experts. Candidates who are deemed eligible will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process where vacancies exist.