Director

Description

The Virginia Quilt Museum (VQM) Board of Directors is seeking a director to manage the “Official Quilt Museum of the Commonwealth of Virginia.” The VQM is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to celebrate and nurture Virginia’s quilting heritage through education, exhibits, classes, conservation, and historical preservation and documentation. To fulfill its mission, the VQM serves as a repository for over 300 quilts from Virginia and related areas and hosts a variety of quilt exhibits throughout the year, both from its own collection and from traveling exhibits, representing a variety of traditional and contemporary quilts.

Founded in 1995, the Museum occupies the historic 1856 Warren-Sipe House in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia, a university town of over 50,000 residents nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. VQM, with a membership of over 500, promotes a unique blend of Virginia’s art and cultural heritage. The Museum offers three floors of curated gallery space, with exhibits rotating on average three times per year. Heirloom, contemporary, and art quilts are typically featured simultaneously, allowing our visitors the chance to experience the wide range of styles, techniques, and themes present in quilts. Educational programs, group tours, and special events further enhance the Museum’s mission.

Summary of Responsibilities:
The director of the VQM is a full-time employee who plans, implements and supervises the programming, operations and administration of the Museum while providing direction and accountability for staff and volunteers. The director is a critical conduit between the museum and the local community, utilizing critical thinking and attention to detail to fulfill the mission of the museum and to increase its local, statewide, national, and international prominence. The director also serves as the chief fundraiser, engaging effectively in developing relationships with potential donors and in planning and implementing fundraising campaigns. The director works with the Board and Museum staff to develop short and long-range strategic plans and leads the Board of Directors in an annual review of the strategic plan.

Job Duties

Resource Development

• Create and implement a fundraising plan with short and long-term goals that meet the Museum’s needs.
• Develop resources for the VQM through grant writing, annual fund promotion, community outreach and other fundraising campaigns and events.
• Acquisition and engagement of corporate sponsors and individual donors.
• Stewardship of major donors.
• Organizational Leadership
• Oversee daily operations and administration of the museum and service to patrons.
• Create and execute short-term and long-term strategic plans and develop organizational policies and procedures.
• Report to the Board of Directors and act as the Board’s chief liaison.
• Provide support for all activities associated with the Board of Directors and work with its Committees to ensure the success of the Virginia Quilt Museum.

Public Relations and Marketing

• Serve as the chief spokesperson and chief advocate for the museum.
• Through written communication, speaking engagements and personal contact, the director will expand interest and support for Museum programs and enhance the Museum’s public image.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with local businesses, community and statewide organizations, quilt guilds, and other museums.
• Oversee and direct the VQM’s overall marketing initiatives, including the use of Constant
• Contact for email communication, Square Space for website maintenance, and social media platforms.

Finance

• Work with the Board Treasurer and bookkeeper to implement the annual budget and ensure that the museum follows appropriate accounting and financial procedures.
• Ensure that the fiscal, legal and contractual responsibilities of the VQM are being fulfilled.
• Ensure that all financial statements, tax returns, and annual reports are prepared and filed in a timely manner.

Personnel and Volunteer Management

• Recruit, hire, train, motivate and evaluate all VQM staff (including the curator, bookkeeper, volunteer coordinator, museum shop manager, event coordinator, and interns).
• Recruit, train and develop a strong staff of volunteers to assist in the daily operations of the Museum.
• Manage staff and volunteer schedules; address complaints and resolve problems.
• Perform other duties as necessary or as assigned.

Skills Required

Qualifications:

• BA or BS from an accredited university is required.
• Advanced study in Non-Profit Studies, History/Art History/Art Education, Museum Studies, or
• Historic Preservation preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated experience in non-profit or museum operations and administration.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising staff and managing volunteers.
• Possess strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills and ability to effectively and diplomatically communicate with diverse audiences and engage with a variety of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership, vision, and strategic direction; willing to bring an entrepreneurial spirit to the position.
• Flexibility to meet leadership and management responsibilities outside of standard business hours (including weekends and evenings). Willingness to travel occasionally during non-business hours.

Additional Info

To apply, please email a cover letter and a resume (only Microsoft Word or PDF files, please) to: vqm1995@gmail.com.

Your cover letter should highlight why you are interested in the position and what makes you a strong candidate.

Priority deadline to apply is March 15, 2018, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.