Executive Director - Updated posting

Marblehead Museum 170 Washington Street Marblehead, MA 01945

Date Posted:

May 13, 2026

Region:

Eastern Massachusetts Category:

Executive Type:

Full-Time Executive Director - Updated posting

Description:

Executive Director FSLA:

 Salary, Exempt 

Hours:

 37.5 hours per week s

To :

Board of Directors Mission:

 Marblehead Museum's (MM) mission is to preserve, protect, and promote Marblehead's past as a means of enriching the present. Marblehead Museum wees people of all ages to discover what makes Marblehead extraordinary through innovative learning opportunities. The Museum's four properties and its preeminent collection serve as the catalysts for programming that connects individuals to the past and present, broadening their perspectives and understanding of Marblehead and the wider world.

Job Description:

Marblehead Museum is the preeminent historical resource in amunity known for a diverse, maritime-based, and storied history that continues to be celebrated and honored by its residents. The Museum owns and operated 4 sites in town: the 1768 Jeremiah Lee Mansion & Gardens; the Jeremiah Lee Brick Kitchen & Slave Quarters; the JOJ Frost Gallery and Carolyn Lynch Education Center; and the G.A.R. and Civil War exhibit in the Old Town House. The Museum is entering into an exciting new phase with the opening of the Brick Kitchen & Slave Quarters building, which serves as both an exhibit space and the new offices, archive, and research center. The building is one of only three extant detached slave quarters in New England owned by a historic site. After 5 years of research and renovation, the building will open to the public on June 1,2026. It features a new archival space on the second floor, along with offices and research areas. The first floor features a newly-installed semi-permanent exhibit, "

Resistance and Resilience:

Slavery and Freedom in Marblehead." The new Executive Director will take on the role of strategic planning to bring the Museum into its next phase. The Board seeks a leader who can guide staff and volunteers, think creatively to bring Marblehead's history to both locals and tourists in exciting and innovative ways, and who will continue to make the Museum a sought-after asset in themunity. The Executive Director leads Marblehead Museum in ensuring the effective delivery of innovative and mission-related programming while maintaining sustainable ongoing operations. As a leader, the Executive DirectorhelpstosupportMuseumstaffwhilebuildingtiesinthmunityandmovingthevision of theanization forward in a strategic and fiscally-responsible manner.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position directly supervises the Associate Director of Programming and Operations; Development Associate; Membership Secretary; and Saturday Staff-person. The position is also responsible for the indirect oversight of volunteers and the Social Media and Marketing Coordinator.

Roles and Responsibilities:

JobTitle:

ExecutiveDirector FSLA:

Salary, ExemptHours:

37.5 hours per week s

To:

BoardofDirectors Mission:

Marblehead Museum's (MM) mission is to preserve, protect, and promote Marblehead's past as a means of enriching the present. Marblehead Museum wees people of all ages to discover what makes Marblehead extraordinary through innovative learning opportunities. The Museum's four properties and its preeminent collection serve as the catalysts for programming that connects individuals to the past and present, broadening their perspectives and understanding of Marblehead and the wider world.

JobDescription:

Marblehead Museum is the preeminent historical resource in amunity known for a diverse, maritime-based, and storied history that continues to be celebrated and honored by its residents. The Museum owns and operated 4 sites in town: the 1768 Jeremiah Lee Mansion & Gardens; the Jeremiah Lee Brick Kitchen & Slave Quarters; the JOJ Frost Gallery and Carolyn Lynch Education Center; and the G.A.R. and Civil War exhibit in the Old Town House. The Museum is entering into an exciting new phase with the opening of the Brick Kitchen & Slave Quarters building, which serves as both an exhibit space and the new offices, archive, and research center. The building is one of only three extant detached slave quarters in New England owned by a historic site. After 5 years of research and renovation, the building will open to the public on June 1,2026. It features a new archival space on the second floor, along with offices and research areas. The first floor features a newly-installed semi-permanent exhibit, "

Resistance and Resilience:

Slavery and Freedom in Marblehead." The new Executive Director will take on the role of strategic planning to bring the Museum into its next phase. The Board seeks a leader who can guide staff and volunteers, think creatively to bring Marblehead's history to both locals and tourists in exciting and innovative ways, and who will continue to make the Museum a sought-after asset in themunity. The Executive Director leads Marblehead Museum in ensuring the effective delivery of innovative and mission-related programming while maintaining sustainable ongoing operations.

As a leader, the Executive DirectorhelpstosupportMuseumstaffwhilebuildingtiesinthmunityandmovingthevision of theanization forward in a strategic and fiscally-responsible manner.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position directlysupervises the Associate Director of Programming and Operations; Development Associate; Membership Secretary; and Saturday Staff-person. The position is also responsible for the indirect oversight of volunteers and the Social Media and Marketing Coordinator.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Programming, Exhibits, Curatorial Oversee the acquisition, accession, and management of the collection, which uses the PastPerfect online database. Work with the Associate Director to plan and implement exhibits in the temporary exhibit spaces, as well as maintain the long-term JOJ Frost Gallery exhibit and the semi-permanent exhibit in the Brick Kitchen, "

Resistance and Resilience:

Slavery and Freedom in Marblehead." Oversee the care and maintenance of all properties, especially the 1768 Jeremiah Lee Mansion which features original decorative details, including the original hand-painted wallpaper. Community Relations Cultivate, steward, and strengthen strategic partnerships, alliances, and relationships within Marblehead and the surroundingmunities, as appropriate, to help MM better serve its constituencies and more effectively meet its mission. Ensure a strategic presence at key regional and state social and networking events. Fundraising & Communications Oversee annual appeals, fundraising events, sponsorship opportunities and, when required, capital campaigns, all in coordination with the Board of Directors. Identify grant sources, for grants, and manage grant tracking and reporting to secure needed resources for current operations, capital needs and future growth. Oversee the Museum's Serve as the public face of the Museum, making media appearances, and presentations tomunity, business, industry, and service groups, as appropriate. Board of Directors Liaison Work closely with the Board to ensure that theanization operates with a clear mission and an effective strategic plan consistent with the mission. Serve as an ex-officio member of all Board Committees. HR and Finance Oversee any Recruitment, hiring, and termination as needed Develop annual budgets in conjunction with the Associate Director and Board President and Treasurer for review and approval by the Board. Meet with the Endowment Committee, President, and Treasurer quarterly to review finances and discuss future needs. Oversee all necessary maintenance and repairs, including contracted work, such as HVAC, plumbers, landscaper, and such. Leadership and Management Provide a strong day-to-day leadership presence and support a collaborative and open environment among all staff and volunteers. Support a culture of learning by promoting and developing training and professional development opportunities for staff and volunteers. Lead, motivate, and develop a staff/volunteer culture that values creativity, innovation, collaboration and mutual respect among all staff and volunteers Marblehead Museum is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

Salary range:

$60,000-70,000,mensurate with experience. Please send cover letter and resume by May 21st, 2026,to Lauren McCormack at laurenmccormackmarbleheadmuseum. No phone calls, please.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications and Skills:

Strong public speaking andmunication skills, with the ability to maintain and build new partnerships andmunity relationships. Ability to work nights and weekends as needed for MM and relatedmunity events. Excellentmunication skills—written and verbal. Self-motivated, working efficiently both independently and collaboratively. Ability to be flexible as needed. Friendly demeanor and ability to interact respectfully with visitors, volunteers, and Museum partners.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in History, Public History, Museum Studies, or related field or equivalent job experience required. Master's Degree preferred. Previous experience in a museum and/or informal education environment required. Minimum of 5 years required, 8+ preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or working on aputer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Marblehead Museum is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.