Executive Director - Frankenmuth Historical Association

Posted on 5/4/25

Class Title: Director

Class Code: FT/Salary

Salary Base: $50,000-$60,000, Based on experience & qualifications

Class Summary

The mission of the Frankenmuth Historical Association is to preserve, communicate, and celebrate the heritage of the Franconian communities and to promote a great appreciation for local, regional, national, and world history among the residents of and visitors to Frankenmuth.

The Frankenmuth Historical Association Board of Trustees is seeking a motivated person to serve as the Museum Director and carry out its mission and policies. The Director is responsible for a variety of tasks including, but not limited to, leading staff and volunteers, developing exhibits, planning budgets, writing grants, increasing membership, overseeing properties, and fundraising and membership events. This position offers a competitive compensation package and a positive work environment featuring autonomy and purpose.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in history or museum-related field
• Demonstrated ability in strategic leadership and management skills
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, requiring high energy, advanced organizational and management skills, capacity to see/think strategically, and follow-through on the detailed steps needed to achieve goals.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and grant writing.
• Strong conflict resolution and decision-making skills.
•  Must be able to travel to attend meetings, conferences, training, and other events as required to acquire and maintain proficiency in fulfilling the responsibility of the position.

Knowledge of

• Management and leadership towards the achievement of the museum’s philosophy, mission, and its annual goals, and work plan.
• Principles, museum policies, best practices, trends, and current professional museum theories and issues.
• Customer service principles and practices
• Supports operation and administration of the Board of Trustees

Ability to

• Provide leadership and embrace risk taking, innovation, collaboration, and change.
• Listen, communicate, and positively interact with members, community, and businesses.
• Analyze, take ownership, resolve requests and issues using critical thinking skills.
• Present programs to a variety of audiences (both internal and external)
• Proactively and continually develop and enhance professional skills.
• Manage projects by applying critical thinking and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Engage in emerging technologies including various social media outlets.

Essential Functions

Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following tasks:

• Establish, maintain, and foster positive, harmonious, professional, and effective working relationships.
• Provide and model exceptional customer/member service.
• Communicate museum policies and procedures, request compliance with Museum Code of Ethics, and promote Best Practices and Standards by the Alliance of American Museums.
• Execute new Strategic Plans and uses evaluative capacity building to report outcomes to the Board of Trustees.
• Oversee accounting functions including those necessary for auditing, budgeting, financial analysis, capital asset, property management, and payroll in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Manage staff and volunteers by being an inspirational leader and mentor using continuous improvement and professional development.
• Ensure implementation of history-based programs, exhibits, and learning experiences to enhance community engagement; oversees planning, development, execution, and evaluation thereof.
• Assure the organization and its mission, program, products, and services are consistently presented as a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders, including, but not limited to contributors, funders, and elected/appointed officials.
• Seek out and participate in educational and personal growth opportunities that enhance job performance; join and actively participate in relevant professional associations or community organizations, which help promote the mission and goals of the Frankenmuth Historical Association.
• Maintain professional appearance and demeanor; be responsive to needs of other staff, board, and volunteers.
• Other duties as assigned

Reporting Relationship

• Works under general direction of the Board of Trustees under the Frankenmuth Historical Association.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Most work is performed in a normal office environment, and some in community settings.
• Lift and carry materials weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Reach, bend, stoop, lift and move arms above shoulder level; lift and carry museum materials.
• Concentrate on and complete tasks in the presence of distractions.
• Operate a variety of standard office equipment including a computer, laptop and/or tablet PC, telephone, calculator, cash register, bar code reader, and copy machines requiring continuous and repetitive arm, hand and eye movement.
• Travel to/from meetings and various locations.
• Work a varied schedule at various locations, including some weekends and evenings.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the Frankenmuth Historical Association to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position