Founding Executive Director

Founding Executive Director

The Pikes Peak Children's Museum (PPCM) is a transformational stage in a nearly 20 year history as a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning through hands-on play. Operating from our Verde Drive location and throughout the community, PPCM delivers engaging educational experiences for children and families while building toward a permanent children's museum for the Pikes Peak region. We are seeking an innovative and community-focused founding Executive Director to lead the organization through its next phase of growth, fundraising, and community impact.

Position Summary: The Executive Director (ED) will serve as the strategic and operational leader of the Pikes Peak Children's Museum, working in close partnership with the Board of Directors to advance PPCM's mission, strengthen organizational sustainability, and expand its impact throughout the Pikes Peak region. The ED will provide leadership across fundraising and development, museum operations, community partnerships, financial management, programming, marketing, and volunteer engagement. As a growing nonprofit, PPCM relies on volunteers to help deliver high-quality experiences for children and families. The Executive Director will be responsible for recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, supporting, and retaining volunteers, while creating a welcoming volunteer culture that reflects PPCM's mission and values. The ED will also identify opportunities for skilled volunteers, interns, community groups, and corporate volunteer teams to support museum operations, special events, exhibits, and organizational growth. Working alongside the Board, the Executive Director will help strengthen PPCM's operational infrastructure, cultivate donors and community partners, oversee the Verde Drive location, and lead efforts toward the long-term vision of a permanent children's museum.

This position is ideal for a community-minded, entrepreneurial, and hands-on leader who is comfortable wearing multiple hats and enjoys building systems, developing people, forming relationships, and helping a young nonprofit grow.

Preferred Qualifications

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, education, museum studies, business administration, public administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Three or more years of nonprofit leadership, program management, or executive experience preferred

Demonstrated fundraising and grant writing success

Experience managing budgets and organizational operations

Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

Passion for early childhood education, museums, and community engagement

Ability to work independently while collaborating with a volunteer Board of Directors

Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for museum events

Benefits

As an independent contractor, the Executive Director will enjoy a flexible, mission-driven leadership opportunity with the ability to help shape the future of the Pikes Peak Children's Museum.

• Flexible hybrid work schedule with remote and on-site work at PPCM's Verde Drive location
• Family-friendly workplace with the option to bring your child to work when appropriate
• Significant autonomy in managing work schedule and organizational priorities
• Opportunity to build and lead a growing nonprofit during a pivotal stage of development
• Direct collaboration with PPCM's Board of Directors and community partners
• Professional networking and leadership opportunities throughout the Pikes Peak region
• Opportunity to build experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, capital campaigns, partnerships, and museum development
• Meaningful work supporting children, families, and access to play-based learning
• Potential for increased compensation as organizational funding and capacity grow

This is an independent contractor position and does not include traditional employee benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, or retirement benefits