Deputy Director (President Woodrow Wilson House Historic Site)

Company: National Trust for Historic Preservation
Location: Washington
Posted on: January 27, 2023

Job Description:

Job Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Deputy Director will play a key role, both internally and externally, in helping Woodrow Wilson House implement its mission, vision, and goals. The Deputy Director will be responsible for overseeing communications, marketing, engagement and visitor services, and for helping direct cross-departmental projects in a timely, cost-effective, and team-building manner. The position will participate -- with the ED, the National Trust's Development Department and the Advisory Council -- in fundraising for the site and will represent the site to both professional and public audiences as needed, working in support of the strategic plans of Wilson House and the National Trust.

In the absence of the Executive Director, or as assigned, the Deputy will serve as principal staff and Advisory Council liaison and represent the Site and the National Trust at professional meetings, events and forums, and to the public as appropriate. When needed, this position serves as interim Executive Director, acting in accordance with the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Director, and may provide coverage of other management team positions as needed.

The President Wilson House in Washington DC, a National Trust site since 1961, is dedicated to confronting the complex history and legacies of the 28th President of the United States, including issues relating to race and gender inequality during Wilson's administration and the Wilsons' period in the house. The Site strives to embody best practices not just in historic preservation and education, but in making history relevant to today by exemplifying justice, diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of its operations.

Situated on the ancestral land of the Anacostans (Nacotchtank) peoples, the President Woodrow Wilson House is a House Museum in Washington, D.C. As a National Trust for Historic Preservation site since 1961, it is dedicated to confronting the complex history and legacies of the 28th President of the United States, including issues relating to race and gender inequality during Wilson's administration and the Wilsons' period in the house. An accurate and full accounting of the Wilson Era reveals the systemic injustices we continue to confront to this day. At the same time, understanding Wilson's leading role in defining and leading a new dawn in 20th century international relations is vital to rethinking those dynamics in the 21st century. The Woodrow Wilson House is committed to listening to as well as leading these important civic discussions. As a hub for both public museum exhibitions and scholarly engagement with Wilson's legacy and the Progressive Era, the Wilson House aims to be a space of reconciliation and healing through an honest, dynamic exploration of the past and present. The Site strives to embody best practices not just in historic preservation and education, but in making history relevant to today by exemplifying justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its operations and interpretation.

The Deputy Director plays an important role working with colleagues and the ED to emphasize the National Trust for Historic Preservation's strategic priority of "Telling the Full American Story" in the Site's communications and marketing; its programs, exhibitions, exploration of its collection; and its partnerships and staff training.

DUTIES

Communications & Engagement

• Working with the ED and collaborating with management team colleagues (the Senior Manager of Business & Operations and the Manager of Collections & Education), the Deputy Director is responsible for overseeing all communications and ensuring effective and timely messaging, branding and delivery, including marketing and promotions, media relations, website maintenance, and social media, as well as donor communications and gift acknowledgments, and Advisory Council communications & engagement.
• Working with the ED, help direct community engagement for the Site and build a broader community through inclusion of a diverse range of constituents.
• Help direct, plan, implement, and execute the Site's web and social media strategy, with a goal of increasing revenue for the Site through public awareness of and participation in programs, including marketing of museum shop. Design and send email marketing campaigns, create list segments, review campaign analytics.
• Help direct the design and print production process for promotion of programs and exhibits, including mailings, postcards and flyers, utilizing and managing outside vendors as needed or coordinating production of pieces in-house as appropriate.
• Serve as initial point of contact for press, PR consultants, ad placements, and event listings. For approval by the ED, develop and write press releases, pitches, and newsletters to highlight the Site's programming and curatorial news and interface with local reporters, photographers, bloggers, and influencers.
• Working with the ED, help direct and develop communications strategies and promotional pieces in support of the Site's fundraising efforts.
• Craft donor communications and gift acknowledgments and work with Senior Manager of Business & Operations and National Trust development staff to ensure proper documentation and tracking in CRM systems.
• Draft grant applications or other donor pitch pieces as needed.
• As assigned, interact with donors or serve as donor point of contact on the ED's behalf.
• Play a leading role in enhancing the composition and functionality of the Advisory Council.
• Develop regular communications for Advisors and identify ways to engage their interest.
• Lead development of documents and communications outlining expectations for Advisors.
  Site & Staff Management
  
  • Contribute to the overall success of Wilson House in achieving its mission by utilizing a collaborative, team-oriented management style.
  • Develop systems that enhance initiative, teamwork, productivity, and accountability.
  • Work closely with the ED and management team colleagues to be cross trained on and able to provide overall direction for the departments of Business & Operations, and Collections & Education as needed, including having knowledge and understanding of all site operations and day to day functions, collections stewardship, landscape and modern facilities, preservation, education, and public programs. Cover the duties of the Senior Manager or Manager in their absence and/or as needed.
  • Working with the ED, help direct, produce, monitor and achieve the site's annual OGSP (Objectives, Goals, Strategies, Plan).
  • Working with ED, help direct all aspects of revenue generation including Fundraising, Special Property Use, Tours, and Programs.
  • Working with ED, management team colleagues, National Trust, Advisory Council, architects, and other professionals, lead the maintenance of facilities appropriate for Wilson House, which will include strategic phasing, and fundraising for them through a capital campaign.
  • Work with ED and management team colleagues to ensure that full and part-time staff, volunteers, and interns are well managed and work in accordance with preservation needs of the site. Promote a positive culture at the site to build a team that promotes cross-departmental achievements and measurable results.
  • Foster collaboration with other sites and other departments/divisions of the National Trust.
  • As assigned, document and communicate annual staff goals, work plans, and associated job descriptions and annual reviews on schedule
  • Help direct the Museum Re-Accreditation process
  • Lead scheduling and developing agendas for regular staff meetings as assigned.
  • Additional duties as assigned.
    Qualifications
    
    • At least 8+ years of professional experience, including at least 5 years of experience with budgeting, staffing, supervising professionals, and leading teams to generate high quality results as well as experience managing large, cross-functional projects and teams, preferably within a national level non-profit setting
    • Experience in communications and marketing. Demonstrated success in fundraising including public and private grants, donations and major gifts.
    • Demonstrated success supervising multiple aspects of historic site management, including making decisions regarding staffing, budgeting, professional development, performance management and team management.
    • Proven ability to thoughtfully engage the public and stakeholders in conversations about race, gender, politics, nationality, white supremacy and other topics relevant to Woodrow Wilson's history and legacy.
    • Comfortable talking about identities such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, and gender in plain, specific terms as they relate to cultural heritage and the work place. Ties to culturally diverse affinity groups, professional organizations, or related associations are a plus.
    • Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization.
    • Advanced project-management, team-management and client-management skills. Ability to achieve results with general supervision.
    • Experience coaching or leading staff, as well as successfully managing key internal and external stakeholders and relationships.
    • Effective presentation skills. Excellent writing, spelling, grammar, and proofreading skills, as well as strong verbal communication and customer service skills. Strong organizational skills. Excellent attention to detail.
    • Experience successfully managing key stakeholders and relationships. Proven ability to collaborate across departments to implement processes and achieve results. Track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with multiple stakeholders. When working onsite, public contact and ability to work successfully in close proximity to others required. When working off-site, ability work effectively in a remote environment, maintaining productivity and communications to meet deadlines and goals, is required.
    • Ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently and respond to a high volume of ongoing requests in a timely fashion. Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment. Ability to work effectively with frequent interruptions required. Able to handle frequently changing and/or unscheduled tasks with accuracy. Entrepreneurial spirit and skill set a plus.
    • Proven ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices.
    • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required. Familiarity with other software, including databases, a plus. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Fareharbor, WordPress, Constant Contact, and Canva required. Experience using CRM databases.
    • Ability to work predominantly on-site, with flexibility to work weekends or evenings as needed.
    • Regular and reliable attendance required.
    • Some travel required.
      
      PAY & BENEFITS
      
      This is a full-time, exempt level position, eligible for full benefits, including health, dental and life insurance, retirement benefits, and 3+ weeks of vacation, plus sick time and holidays.
      
      The National Trust and its subsidiaries require all staff to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters (with limited exceptions for religious or medical reasons).
      
      Hiring Range: $80,000 - $88,000 per year

Keywords: National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington DC , Deputy Director (President Woodrow Wilson House Historic Site), Executive , Washington, DC