Job Listing
🔗Executive Director

  • Full Time
  • Madison, IN
  • $60,000 - $90,000/- USD / Year
  • April 24, 2026
  • Job Summary: Executive Director needed for an award winning historic preservation organization in Madison, IN. The position leads daily operations, fundraising, maintains/restores 10 historic sites, reports to board and oversees 3FT & 6 PT staff.
  • Job Qualifications:

    ● Master’s degree in historic preservation, history, museum studies, non-profit management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

    ● Five to seven years of progressive leadership experience in a non-profit organization, preferably in historic preservation or museum management (or equivalent experience)

    ● Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, financial management, fundraising, and operational oversight

    ● Strong understanding of historic preservation and restoration, museum best practices, collections management, and historical interpretation

    ● Excellent communication, interpersonal, and public speaking skills with a proven ability to lead and supervise staff and volunteers

    ● Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders

    ● Passion for historic preservation and the mission of the organization, familiarity with the local community and its history is a plus

    ● Proficiency in relevant software and technology, including Google Workspace, QuickBooks, Donor Perfect, Adobe, Canva, social media, website maintenance & development

  • How to Apply:

    Please submit a cover letter, resume, three references and writing sample to the Search Committee at search@historicmadisoninc.com.

  • Job benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, PTO, cell phone reimbursement, mileage
  • Physical Demands / Work Environment: Ability to perform moderate physical work, including lifting up to 25 pounds, walking across uneven terrain, and climbing stairs or ladders as needed for property inspections and event setup
  • Application Email: search@historicmadisoninc.com
  • Application URL: https://www.historicmadisoninc.com
  • Application Address: Historic Madison, Inc. 301 W 2nd St. Madison, IN 47250

Website Historic Madison, Inc.

Since 1960 Historic Madison, Inc. (HMI) has worked tirelessly to preserve and save the unique and fragile historic environment that has earned Madison, Indiana its national reputation and has grown into an award-winning organization well-known for its work throughout the United States. Accomplishments: Spearheaded the National Historic Landmark designation for the Madison Historic District – HMI led this initiative in concert with City, County, State & Federal agencies and local property owners. Assisted hundreds of property owners, including government agencies, with preservation questions & concerns and leveraged millions of dollars in support of preservation. Preservation, restoration, and reuse of 18 historic properties in our real estate portfolio, 10 of which are still owned by HMI. Awards: National Trust for Historic Preservation, American Association for State & Local History, US Department of Transportation, State of IN, Servaas Award for Organizational Excellence, Cook Cup

The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of HMI/HMFI and is responsible for the overall strategic, programmatic, financial, and operational management of the organization. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides visionary leadership, ensures the effective implementation of the organization’s mission, and cultivates strong relationships with stakeholders, including the board, staff, volunteers, donors, community partners, and the general public.

Key Responsibilities include the following:

Strategic Leadership and Vision
Operational Management
Staff and Volunteer Management
Financial Management and Fundraising
Program Development and Interpretation

Currently the organization is in the early stages of two major restoration projects, so project management and knowledge of preservation/restoration practice is very important.

Please see full position description at www.historicmadisoninc.com for details.

Benefits

All NCPE interns received an hourly stipend, the rate is listed at each position description. Additionally, interns receive paid time off (PTO), paid Federal holidays if working full-time, and access to NCPE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for career and personal counseling, coaching, and referrals. Project sites may also offer a housing allowance and/or commuting stipend; this information is also listed in the description or offered during the interview.

Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate. To be eligible to earn a PLC certificate, an intern must be 30 years old or younger (or 35 if a veteran). Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Successful completion of a NCPE internship does not guarantee Federal employment. Contact manager@preservenet.org for more details.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be
*at least 18 years old;
*no older than 30 years of age (or 35 years if a Veteran) when beginning the internship; applicants who are 31 or older (or 36 or older if a Veteran) are not eligible;
*currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program at the college level (or recently graduated within the past 12 months)
*be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.

Interns are not allowed to work more than 1200 hours total in the program; previous interns must stay within this overall limit. The length of an internship can vary from 10 to 30 weeks if full-time (40 hours per week) or longer if on a part-time schedule. If selected, the exact starting date will be determined by you and the NPS supervisor. The stipend rate is $17.00 per hour unless otherwise listed.

The successful candidate is responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location; some exceptions apply. The supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodation.

The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Please be advised that you may also be required to wear a mask, depending on the protocols adopted by your work site. Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if you are selected for a position. This will include providing information about recent housing and employment history. The position supervisor will have more information about these requirements and procedures at the time of hiring. You may direct any questions to NCPE's Internship Program Director, Julee Johnson, at manager@preservenet.org.

Please note that interns are not NCPE or NPS employees. Stipends are academic awards and taxes are not withheld, nor are social security contributions made on your behalf. These funds may be taxable, however, so consult a tax preparation professional if you have questions.

How to Apply

You may review NCPE's internship opportunities anytime without registering. Use the search function to find listings by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Once you identify one or more positions of interest, there is a 3-step application process.

Step 1: Click on the Apply for Job button, then select Universal Application. Click on Register to create a User Account, which requires a username and email. A link will be sent to you from manager@preservenet.org to create a password. We suggest that you add this email to your safe senders list so you don't miss receiving this important link. You will be instructed to Log In to Preservenet using your username or email and password, which will take you back to the Universal Application.

Step 2: The Universal Application is required to apply for all NCPE internships. You fill out this form only once. In addition to contact information, educational status, work history, and experience, it requires two attachments: (1) the 2 most recent years of academic transcripts. These may be unofficial transcripts if official versions are unavailable. A PDF is preferred, labeled Your Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages are preferred. A PDF is preferred but jpg, png, doc, or docx file types are accepted. Label Your Last Name_Your First Name_Resume. This form may be saved as a draft and completed later. Use the link provided to return to the form.

Step 3: Once you submit the Universal Application, you may browse and apply for NCPE internships using the link provided. Complete the application process by clicking on the Apply for job button found at each internship listing and upload the required Essay. Use the essay to explain why you are applying for an internship, including how your interest areas will benefit the National Park Service (NPS) and how the internship will further your studies and career goals. Be as specific as possible; there is a 400-word maximum length. Submit the essay to finish the application for that position. You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during an application round; there is no limit at other times of the year. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!



Logging in with a Registered User Account and completing the Universal Application is required to apply for NCPE Internships. Please visit the Universal Application page to register for an account and complete the form. After logging in and completing the form, refreshing this listing will display the Job Application to apply online.