Executive Director - Kenosha Public Museums

General Overview of Position

Community Profile:

The City of Kenosha, Wisconsin is conveniently located between Chicago (55 miles to the south) and Milwaukee (36 miles to the north) on the southwest shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. Because of its proximity between two major metropolitan areas, Kenosha has become an ideal destination for many people seeking relatively lower housing costs in a safe, friendly, and prosperous environment. With easy access to the Interstate 94 corridor, international airports at Chicago and Milwaukee, and the Metra rail line from Kenosha to Chicago, residents are able to choose from an extensive list of amenities, three universities/colleges, and career opportunities, and two regional healthcare systems available within the commuting area.

The population of Kenosha is roughly 100,000, making Kenosha the fourth largest city in the state. The Wisconsin Department of Administration estimates that the number of residents within our community will continue to grow steadily because of the influence of the nearby metropolitan areas.

Kenosha community websites -www.kaba.org,www.visitkenosha.comwww.kenoshaareachamber.com,www.lifebalancedkenosha.com

City Government & Employment:

The City of Kenosha is governed by a full-time Mayor with a four (4) year term and a part-time Council comprised of seventeen (17) Alderpersons elected by each ward every two (2) years. A full-time City Administrator assists the Mayor in the management of City operations. Other than those with differing statutory reporting requirements, City Department Heads report directly to the administrator. The working atmosphere is collaborative and inclusive.

The City employs over 780 full-time with an additional 250 seasonal employees who work primarily during the summer construction and recreation season.

City of Kenosha website -www.kenosha.org

Kenosha Public Museums website: https://museums.kenosha.org/public/

Position Profile:

The Kenosha Public Museums Board of Trustees is seeking an experienced and visionary Executive Director for the Kenosha Public Museum, Dinosaur Discovery Museum and Civil War Museum. The Executive Director works collaboratively with a dedicated Board of Trustees, Kenosha Public Museums Foundation Board, Friends of the Museums Board and a highly motivated staff to steward a bold future for the organizations. The Executive Director has overall responsibility for the leadership of and successful operation of three museums, manages a $3 million operating budget and supervises approximately fifty staff members. The Museums are a department of the City of Kenosha. The Museum Campus has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1974 and is a Smithsonian Affiliate. The three museums encompass 120,000 square feet and a diverse collection of 100,000 artifacts and specimens.

The Executive Director provides the strategic leadership, innovative management and vision necessary to advance the missions of the museums. They pursue an impactful and sustainable vision for the museums, achieving greater regional and national recognition. They are the primary ambassador, spokesperson and fundraiser for the organization. They articulate the Museums'vision,values and contributions to the community, regional and national partners and media. The Executive Director ensures that the museums operatefromstrategic plansand meet the financial and programmatic goals of those plans.

Example of Duties & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Trustees. They serve as President of the Kenosha Public Museums Foundation Board and the museum liaison to the Friends of the Kenosha Public Museums Board. The Executive Director is responsible for working with these boards, the City of Kenosha Administration and the City of Kenosha Common Council.

Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director:

Oversees the major functions of community engagement, education, collections management, exhibitions and programming, fundraising, budgeting, visitor experiences and mission delivery.

Works closely and transparently with the Museums Board of Trustees, Kenosha Public Museums Foundation Board and Friends of the Museums Board and their committees, providing updates, soliciting feedback and engaging members in constructive dialogue.

Serves as a City of Kenosha Department Head and represents the Museums to City Administration, other City Departments and the City of Kenosha Common Council.

Protects the organization's financial assets, practices sound financial management and ensures stability.

Establishes and cultivates partner, donor and sponsor relationships. Plays a leading role in increasing financial support for the museums.

Serves as the Museums' public face and advocate, clearly articulating mission and activities.

Fosters and maintains a collaborative working relationship with local, regional and national museums, cultural institutions and related agencies.

Demonstrates a knowledge of standards and best practices for museums and nonprofit organizations.

Participates in relevant regional and national professional organizations and related conferences.

Responsibilities Related to Mission and Vision:

• Provides institutional direction guided by the Museums mission, vision, values and the strategic plan to make consistent and timely progress toward achieving strategic objectivesand annual goals.

• Engages and inspires the museum staff and the Board of Trustees, providing leadership and oversight in fulfilling the mission and vision.Fostersa culture that attracts, retains and motivates strong team members, including twentyfull-time and twenty-eightpart-time staff and more than 150 volunteers.

• Promotes financial stability by creating and overseeing an annual financial plan and budget. Prepares the capital improvement plan, financial plan and budget documents for Board of Trustee and City of Kenosha Administration approval.

• Works with the Development Director to raise funds, foster a culture of philanthropy and cultivate strong relationships with foundations, corporations and individual donors.

• Supports the function of and works as museum liaison to the Friends of the Museums, Inc. Board of Directors.

• Serves as President of the Kenosha Public Museums Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors, supporting its function and work.

• Increases local, statewide, national and international awareness and prominence of the Kenosha Public Museums through publishing, speaking and presenting at regional and national conferences and events.

Operational Duties:

• Communicates with government officials, community members and the media regarding museum matters, includingattending

City of Kenosha Common Council Meetings and appropriate committee and board meetings as needed.

• Supervises the Deputy Director who oversees daily operations and staff.

• Directs and approves human resource postings and the hiring process.

• Oversees professional development, mentoring and performance evaluations of staff members.

• Prepares Executive Director reports for the Board of Trustees meetings.

• Prepares an annual report and economic impact statement for the

Board of Trustees.

• Serves asex officio

Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

• Works with the Mayortoidentifypotential Board of Trustee members.Offersorientation and evaluation of the Board of Trustees.

• Formulates planning and policy recommendations for the Board of Trustees.

• Serves as a voting member and President of the Kenosha Public Museums Foundation Board.

• Ensures adherence to existing policies, procedures, and the highest professional museum standards.

Experience, Skills, and Attributes:

The Executive Director demonstrates success in the following areas:

• Leading and participating in highly cohesive and functioning teams.

• Building and maintaining community relations and partnerships.

• Raising funds and cultivating donor relationships, including familiarity with regional and national organizations, philanthropic foundations and corporations.

• Understanding the financial management of a complex organization and interpreting various types of financial reports and communicating that information to key stakeholders.

• Communicating effectively to many different audiences in a professional manner using various written and verbal forms.

• Understanding of and experience in museums, nonprofit organizations and/or museum content related fields.

• Designing, implementing, assessing, and executing strategic planning initiatives.

Requirements

Training and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree required.

• Master's Degree strongly preferred in museum studies, humanities, social or natural sciences, business or a related field from an accredited college or university.

• Ten years of overall professional experience with a minimum of 5 years experience working in a museum.

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in management or development,includingdirect personnelsupervision.Or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Strong and effective organizational leadership and administration experience. Ability to conceptualize, plan, implement, administer, evaluate, communicate and develop strategic plans and other resources.

• Strong business management experience and ability in developing, managing, and growing an annual operating budget.

• Successful record of fundraising and developing relationships with donors.

Attributes and Skills:

• Has strong, effective organizational leadership and administrative skills.

• Demonstrates outstanding communication skills andtheability to advocate for the Kenosha Public Museums.

• Exhibits intellectual curiosity, has an enterprising, entrepreneurial spirit and is politically astute.

• Thinks strategically and creatively using flexible problem-solving skills.

• Maintains a high level of integrity, tact, initiative, good judgment and confidentiality.

• Establishes collaborative relationships and outreach initiativeswithdiversecommunity groups.

• Demonstrates and fosters a strong commitment to inclusion, diversity, accessibility and equity.

• Adapts to a variable schedule, including working weekends and evenings when needed.

Physical Requirements:

Task is essentially sedentary, with occasional walking, bending, light lifting, or other restricted physical activities including driving and physical field observations.

Environmental Requirements:

Task is regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Sensory Requirements:

• Task requires color perception and discrimination.

• Task requires visual perception and discrimination.

• Task requires sound perception and discrimination.

• Task requires oral and written communications ability.

Additional Requirements:

• Possession of a valid driver's license and a good driving record.

• May be required to provide a personal vehicle for use on the job.

Method of Selection

Selection will be based upon review of education and experience to evaluate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for successful job performance. An oral panel interview will be required prior to a final interview with the Museum Board of Trustees. The Museum Board of Trustees may require selected candidates to participate in a job trait assessment. Appointment will be made in accordance with City policy and Civil Service rules and regulations.