Executive Director - Sandcastles Children's Museum

Posted on 1/8/26

Position Title: Executive Director

Reports To: Sandcastles Children’s Museum Board of Directors

General Description:

Sandcastles Children’s museum was founded in October 2006 by six individuals who had a vision to provide an environment that encourages and inspires children and families to explore their world. Our mission is to offer hands-on discovery while stimulating creativity, curiosity and the love of learning and to foster cultural awareness and positive interactions within and among families. Our primary audience is children ages 1 to 10 and their family members. In addition to three floors of over thirty exhibits, we offer weekly activity days and summer workshops.

Sandcastles Children’s Museum is seeking a passionate, self-driven and resourceful individual who aspires to make an impact in the local community and beyond as the executive director. This leader should believe in hands-on interactive education for children and families and should have a vision for the role of Sandcastles Children’s Museum in our community.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Organization Mission and Strategy

• Supervise staff, manager, and volunteers to run the museum effectively.
• Work in partnership with the board of directors to evaluate and develop and update the organization’s strategic direction. This encompasses the organization’s mission, vision, values, long-range goals, annual goals, action plans, and evaluation.
• Develop programs and exhibits that carry out the organization’s mission.

Organization Operations

• Uphold and demonstrate Sandcastles Children’s Museum culture and values.
• Oversee the daily operations, including but not limited to financial duties, internal and external communication, and coordination with the board of directors.
• Maintain official records, licenses and certificates.
• On behalf of the organization, sign all notes, agreements, and other instruments made according to the defined board policies.
• Collaborate with community partners and establish and maintain sponsorships.
• Oversee building and exhibit maintenance.

Financial Management

• Develop and maintain sound financial practices to protect the fiscal integrity of Sandcastles Children’s Museum.
• Work with the board of directors and finance committee to prepare an annual budget and ensure the organization is operating within the budget.
• Ensure the financial records are maintained in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures and generally accepted auditing standards
• Ensure that the bookkeeper files all necessary financial documents within the required timeframes of the state and federal governments

Resource and Relationship Management

• Create, develop and implement strategies to secure diverse funding sources.
• Raise the visibility of the organization through the development and implementation of a marketing plan that reaches its various stakeholders and the general public.
• Plan and implement the organization’s fundraising efforts.
• Work in collaboration with community partners and organizations to align educational opportunities and resources for programs and exhibits.
• Prepare and manage grant proposals, and create appropriate reports for funders.
• Develop and implement strategies for fostering, recognizing, and sustaining of donors.

Human Capital Management (staff and volunteers)

• Recruit, hire and manage personnel, both paid staff and volunteers.
• Provide orientation and ongoing training to all personnel.
• Develop job descriptions and complete regular performance evaluations.
• Establish and maintain a positive, healthy, inclusive, and safe work environment which attracts, motivates, and retains quality staff and volunteers.
• Recognize staff and volunteers annually and for specific achievements.

Professional Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of accepted education and experience that would provide necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the functions of the position
• 3-5 years of leadership and management experience
• Computer literacy
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development, and task facilitation
• Skills to collaborate with and motivate board members and personnel
• Experience working with children
• Experience in fundraising
• Physical Demands*:
• Ability to lift a minimum of 25 lbs. - Frequent bending and lifting required.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment to perform essential functions of work
• Must have a valid Michigan Driver’s License and reliable transportation and be able to travel short distances in all types of weather
• *Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities or special needs to perform the essential job functions

Desirable:

• Nonprofit management experience
• Experience in grant writing
• Experience in some aspect of education

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrated passion for and commitment to mission, vision, and values of Sandcastles Children’s Museum
• Willingness to seek out innovative approaches to improve the organization’s operations
• Desire to work as part of a team and the understanding of how to lead a team
• Ability to work independently
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities
• Ability to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously along with prioritizing efforts to achieve the most urgent tasks

General Conditions

• Compliance with criminal background investigation protocol

Compensation:

• Salary range: $55,000 to $65,000.
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Two weeks paid vacation and earned sick time (ESTA)

TO APPLY: Send a cover letter and resume to sandcastlemuseum@gmail.com or mail to Marsha Barter, Sandcastles Children’s Museum, PO Box 595, Ludington, MI 49431.