Historic Deerfield, President and CEO

Overview

Historic Deerfield is a nonprofit museum and historic village in Deerfield, Massachusetts, dedicated to preserving and interpreting American history through its historic buildings, collections, and educational programming.

Key Opportunities and Strategic Priorities

• Expanding audience and visibility – broaden awareness, attract new and younger visitors, and strengthen regional and national profile.
• Advancing interpretation and storytelling – deepen and expand the stories told, including those of underrepresented communities.
• Strengthening philanthropy and organizational capacity – grow philanthropic support and enhance operational capability.
• Evaluating facilities and infrastructure needs – assess opportunities related to collections storage, program space, preservation, and capital projects.

Responsibilities and Expectations

• Provide strategic leadership and direction – guide the strategic plan, set priorities, and align resources to achieve goals.
• Advance fundraising and external engagement – lead fundraising efforts, strengthen philanthropic support, and serve as ambassador.
• Oversee a complex organization – manage historic properties, collections, education, hospitality, and retail operations.
• Preserve and steward historic assets – oversee conservation, preservation, and support future capital initiatives.
• Partner effectively with the Board – collaborate with trustees, support governance, and drive board priorities.
• Lead and support a talented staff – foster inclusive culture, professional development, communication, and accountability.
• Strengthen financial performance and sustainability – oversee budgeting, revenue diversification, and endowment stewardship.
• Enhance visitor experience and public engagement – support evolving exhibitions, programs, and marketing.
• Support scholarly and interpretive excellence – maintain national recognition for collections and scholarly contributions.

Experience, Skills, and Attributes

• Leadership experience – minimum seven years senior‑level in a nonprofit or similar mission‑driven organization.
• Strategic leadership – demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic plans.
• Fundraising success – track record of securing major philanthropic support.
• Financial acumen – experience overseeing budgets and complex revenue models.
• Board engagement – experience working effectively with governing boards.
• Team leadership – ability to lead and manage professional staff and build collaborative culture.
• External presence and relationship‑building – strong communication and ambassadorial skills.
• Commitment to audience engagement – interest in broadening diverse audiences.
• Passion for history, preservation, and public engagement – genuine enthusiasm for Historic Deerfield’s mission.
• Scholarly engagement – advanced academic training or engagement with scholarship is valued.
• Education – bachelor’s degree required; advanced degrees valued but not required.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range is $200,000–$275,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Housing is provided in a historic house within the village.