LI ARTS JOB BANK

Executive Director
Walt Whitman Birthplace Association
Huntington Station, NY
$70,000 a year

Position At A Glance:
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000 per year
Benefits: Vacation, Sick Days, Holidays
Schedule: 40 hrs/week (flex time)
Work Location: Huntington Station - M,W,TH in office
Deadline: March 1, 2024 or until the position is filled

About:

“As stewards of the Walt Whitman Birthplace, a New York State Historic site, we preserve and promote the poet’s legacy with educational programs about his life and work, celebrating inclusivity and inspiring creativity.”

The Walt Whitman Birthplace Association (WWBA), a non-profit 501c3 organization, maintains and operates the Walt Whitman Birthplace New York State Historic Site for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP). The Whitman Birthplace property is the homestead where the premier American and internationally renowned poet, essayist, and journalist Walt Whitman was born in 1819. The Birthplace structure serves as a Museum containing historical artifacts from the early 19th century era. The 1.3-acre site also includes manicured gardens, a Gathering House for meetings and exhibits, a Caretaker cottage, and a modern Interpretive Center, which houses a performance space, classroom, library, archival collections, and gift shop.

Seeking:

Executive Director for a full-time position, 40 hours/week (flex time). Candidate should have excellent leadership, managerial, budgetary, fundraising, program development, and literacy skills.

Primary Responsibilities/Duties:

State Parks

- Liaison with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP) on Long Island and in Albany.

- Coordinate with NYS Parks for all maintenance and improvements.

Board of Trustees

- Work closely with the Board on business and program agendas.

- Serve as a non-voting member of the Board and its committees.

- Prepare Executive Director report for bi-monthly Board meetings.

Financial

- Maintain and build financial support from NY State, Suffolk County, and the Town of Huntington.

- Oversee fundraising activities, write grants, and oversee grant management.

- Attract new sources of support from corporations, businesses, and other private sector entities.

- Prepare an annual budget with the Board, manage cash flow, and oversee all expenditures.

- Prepare an annual report.

- Maintain financial oversight with the Bookkeeper.

- Oversee the operation of the gift shop.

Programs

- Supervise six annual programs and broaden programs relating to Walt Whitman’s life and times.

- Engage with Long Island organizations, the poetry community, and regional Whitman groups.

- Develop rotating exhibits of art, history, and literature with the Curator.

- Serve as editor of our annual “Starting from Paumanok” Newsletter.

- Promote interest through our website, brochures, press releases, and social media.

Staff Management

- Recruit, train and supervise staff, tour guides, volunteers, and Interns.

- Work with office staff - Educator, Event Director, Administrator, Bookkeeper.

- Work with the Curator to manage collections.

- Oversee tasks of the Caretaker.

Candidate Requirements:

- BA Degree, MA + Degree preferred.

- 3 years experience in non-profit management and finance.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, and social media platforms.

- Conscientious, industrious, enjoys social activities.

- Ability to foster positive relationships with educators, community members, and creative stakeholders.

- Appreciation of literature and history.

- Availability to work on evenings and weekends (events, meetings, emergency security on-call).

Compensation Package:

- Salary - $70,000 per annum

- Full time: 40 hrs/week flex time – M,W,TH in office.

- Private Office

- Vacation - 3 weeks per annum

- Holidays - 11 paid state/federal holidays

- Sick Days - 10 sick or personal days

- Compensation package negotiable

WWBA is committed to building and encouraging an inclusive workplace that strives for respect and promotes and values diversity. We believe that organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, or ethnicity are proven to be better organizations. Please consider joining the team as we work together to build a welcoming workplace where employees recognize that their unique characteristics and experiences are valued and respected.

How To Apply:

Applicants should submit a cover letter with contact info for two references and a resume via email to [email protected]

Deadline: March 1, 2024, or until the position is filled

Contact: Cynthia Shor, WWBA Executive Director 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746 631-427-5240 x111