Job Listing
🔗Executive Director
Website Lexington Historical Society
Founded in 1886, Lexington Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of Lexington, Massachusetts, site of the first shot of the American Revolution. The Society (soon to be known as Lexington History Museums) is a vibrant non-profit organization that manages three historic house museums, the Old Belfry, and a soon-to-be opened Depot Museum. (For more information about the Society, please visit: https://www.lexingtonhistory.org.) We are the stewards of important collections and archives spanning three centuries of Lexington history and offer year-round programming to the community.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Lexington Historical Society, Lexington, Massachusetts
Position: Executive Director
Reports to: Board of Directors
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Start Date: June 2025
Founded in 1886, Lexington Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of Lexington, Massachusetts, site of the first shot of the American Revolution. The Society (soon to be known as Lexington History Museums) is a vibrant non-profit organization that manages three historic house museums, the Old Belfry, and a soon-to-be opened Depot Museum. (For more information about the Society, please visit: https://www.lexingtonhistory.org.) We are the stewards of important collections and archives spanning three centuries of Lexington history and offer year-round programming to the community. We recently underwent a number of changes – a name and logo change, the opening of the Depot, and a successful capital campaign – and, on the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, are looking forward to the future.
The Society seeks an experienced Executive Director to oversee six year-round full-time and part-time staff members, thirty seasonal employees, many volunteers, and hands-on volunteer committees. The Executive Director will be responsible for leading the organization as it transitions into its exciting next phase. The Executive Director is appointed by and reports to the Board of Directors of Lexington Historical Society and works closely with the Board to advance the Society’s mission. This includes enhancing its financial sustainability, caring for and promoting its collections, and elevating its impact in our community and beyond through creative marketing, robust and interactive exhibitions, and innovative programming.
Essential job functions:
• Management/leadership: Responsibilities include leading staff and managing our historic properties. The Executive Director should be familiar with oversight of collections, programming, exhibitions, and interpretation in support of staff activities.
• Communication: Responsibilities include communicating with staff, who hold diverse positions and have diverse specialties within the organization; serving as a bridge between staff and the Board of Directors; identifying and engaging with donors; and working with town governmental entities and private organizations and the community at large.
• Financial management: The Executive Director will be responsible for creating a budget and then overseeing spending in accord with that budget. This will be done in concert with our investment advisor, accountant, treasurer, and finance committee.
• Fundraising: Responsibilities include maintaining and growing membership and securing donations. The Executive Director will also assist with marketing and outreach and participate in grant procurement and administration.
• Vision: Working with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be expected to develop and implement a strategic plan that will reflect a vision for the next five years of growth for the Society.
This is a full-time, year-round position. Annual salary is between $75,000 and $85,000, commensurate with qualifications and prior experience. Medical benefits and generous vacation and sick time are provided.
Lexington Historical Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.
Please send a cover letter describing your relevant experiences, résumé, and three professional references to Marian Cohen, Chair, Search Committee, executivesearch1775@gmail.com by Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
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
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