Executive Director

Introduction The Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority is a state agency managing the Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area and Canal Place Heritage Park. The Park is located at the terminus of the C&O Canal Towpath and the GAP trail. The Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority is seeking an Executive Director. This is a Special Appointment position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority. Grade 21 Location of Position 13 Canal Street Cumberland Maryland 21502 Position Duties The Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority (CPPDA) seeks a strategic, collaborative Executive Director to lead the Passages of the Western Potomac Canal Place Heritage Area (PWPHA), whose administrative office is located in Cumberland, Maryland. This position is not eligible for telework. The Executive Director is responsible for day‑to‑day administration, heritage tourism development, partner engagement, fiscal stewardship, grant administration, tenant and facility oversight, and implementation of the Authority’s plans, programs, and public‑facing initiatives. The successful candidate will strengthen PWPHA as a welcoming heritage destination, economic‑development asset, and community gathering place for residents and visitors to Western Maryland. PWPHA will be expanding its service area to include all of Allegany County, creating the opportunity to lead this vision and elevate awareness of the County’s historical significance. PWPHA/CPPDA is a principal partner in the renaissance of the county seat, Cumberland, and is the managing entity of the historic Western Maryland Railway Station, the shops at Canal Place, and the development of the River Park at Canal Place, which envisions family‑friendly access to the Potomac River. Essential Responsibilities Lead implementation of the Authority’s strategic, operational, and heritage‑area plans, including short‑ and long‑range initiatives approved by the Board of Directors. Develop and administer the Authority’s annual budget; monitor revenues and expenditures; recommend fiscally responsible policies and practices. Identify, pursue, administer, and report on grants, sponsorships, and other external funding opportunities supporting heritage tourism, preservation, interpretation, public programming, capital improvements, and economic development. Serve as the Authority’s primary liaison with the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, Maryland Historical Trust, local, state, and federal government, tourism partners, community organizations, businesses, tenants, and the public. Promote Canal Place attractions, events, programming, and partnerships through coordinated marketing, community relations, and destination‑development efforts. Oversee leasing, tenant relations, facility management, vendor coordination, event use, and maintenance needs for Canal Place properties and public spaces. Supervise Authority staff and contractors; assign work, evaluate performance, support professional development, and maintain effective office operations. Prepare agendas, reports, recommendations, and supporting materials for Authority meetings and committee work. Implement Board directives and maintain appropriate records. Ensure compliance with applicable State of Maryland requirements, Authority policies, grant conditions, procurement and reporting obligations, and public‑sector accountability standards. Perform related duties as assigned by the Authority Board. Work occasional evenings, weekends, and special events as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible administrative, management, or leadership experience in heritage tourism, historic preservation, economic development, public administration, nonprofit management, community development, or a closely related field. Include two (2) years of experience with grant writing, grant administration, budget development, financial monitoring, or program reporting. Note: Additional professional experience in heritage tourism, historic preservation, economic development, public administration, nonprofit management, community development, or a closely related field may be substituted on a year‑to‑year basis, for up to four years, for the education. Desired or Preferred Qualifications Experience serving as an executive director, senior administrator, or comparable leader for a public agency, nonprofit organization, heritage area, tourism entity, cultural institution, or economic‑development organization. Familiarity with Maryland Heritage Areas, State of Maryland administrative procedures, public‑sector reporting requirements, procurement or contract administration, and public meeting practices. Experience with facility leasing, tenant relations, event management, marketing, fundraising, capital projects, or historic or cultural‑resource interpretation. Ability to build productive working relationships with government officials, boards, community partners, businesses, tenants, volunteers, funders, and the public. Strong organizational, project‑management, written communication, public‑speaking, and interpersonal skills. Special Requirements Please upload a resume in addition to a completed application. Examination Process The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position. Benefits State of Maryland benefits. Further Instructions The State of Maryland is committed to diversity among its staff and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. The State of Maryland is an equal‑opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity or disability, or any other legally protected basis. The State of Maryland is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the hiring process and on the job, as required by applicable law. The State of Maryland will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited. For questions regarding this recruitment, please email HR Analyst Kathryn Busch at View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr