Job Listing
🔗Executive Director (Glass House)
Website National Trust for Historic Preservation
For more than 70 years, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has led the movement to save America’s historic places. A privately funded nonprofit organization, we work to save America's historic sites; tell the full American story; build stronger communities; and invest in preservation's future.
JOB SUMMARY
The Executive Director (ED) of the Glass House provides dynamic, creative, and strategic leadership to advance the ongoing evolution of an international icon of Modern architecture. The Executive Director will have the opportunity to develop and implement a bold new vision for the property that carries forward its legacy of creativity and experimentation through vibrant, experiential programming and inclusive partnerships.
The Executive Director will be a highly effective fundraiser who will craft and share the vision for the site in ways that expand philanthropic support and earned revenue. The ED will work closely with the site’s Advisory Council to support fundraising, raise the profile of the site, and establish strategic connections at the local, national, and international levels.
The Executive Director will be positioned full-time at The Glass House and will lead a full-time staff of 11 and an additional 25 part-time curatorial, guide, and facilities staff. The ED will report to SVP for Historic Sites and will work in collaboration with National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) headquarters staff in Development and in the Historic Sites Department.
About The Glass House
The Glass House property, built between 1949 and 1995 by architect Philip Johnson, is a National Trust Historic Site located in New Canaan, Connecticut. For more than half a century, the Glass House was home to Philip Johnson and his partner, influential curator David Whitney, a place where they hosted many of the most notable architects, artists and designers of their time.
Today, the pastoral 49-acre landscape comprises fourteen structures, centered around the iconic Glass House, and features a renowned permanent collection of 20th century art. The entire campus serves as a catalyst for the preservation and interpretation of Modern art and design, and a canvas for inspiration and experimentation through leading-edge exhibitions and installations of the highest quality. The site’s tour program, acclaimed Design Store, and on-site and online events provide a variety of opportunities for dynamic engagement. The Glass House also continues to honestly examine the negative aspects of Philip Johnson’s personal history and their legacies through new research and programming.
Over the last 10 years, the Glass House has conducted a strategic campaign to restore and re-activate the buildings and landscape at the site. The restoration of the Brick House, the companion to the Glass House that was also built in 1949, is currently in the final stages of design with construction expected to begin in spring/summer 2023. This re-opening of the Brick House offers a tremendous opportunity to define and implement a vibrant new vision for the property that continues to build its relevance in the international art and design community as the property celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024.
The site is owned and operated by the National Trust Historic Site and is a part of its portfolio of 28 National Trust Historic Sites that are central to the organization’s mission and operations. The National Trust also owns and operates the Edith Farnsworth House and there is significant potential for creative collaborations between these two iconic Modern residences.
DUTIES
Visionary Leadership
Develop and implement a dynamic vision for the Glass House that carries forward its legacies of creativity and experimentation, interprets its full history, and expands its relevance.
Expand partnerships with artists, scholars, and other institutions that align with the site’s cultural significance, advance inclusive interpretation, and build financial sustainability.
Lead the creation of innovative and engaging public programming—including the evolution of the tour and installation programs—to expand audiences and increase revenue.
Effective Fundraising and Earned Revenue Enhancement
Develop and expand corporate, foundation, government, and individual giving to ensure growth and support for ongoing preservation and site programming and other operations.
Cultivate and expand the site’s Advisory Council.
Create and successfully manage a portfolio of prospects in consultation with staff at the Glass House and the National Trust’s Development Division staff.
Provide executive leadership to effectively manage and track constituent data and develop successful fundraising proposals and donor cultivation events.
Enhance and expand earned revenue sources, including the Design Store, online retail, and the sensitive use of the property for photo shoots and other special events.
Skilled Communications & Management
Act as a knowledgeable and engaging spokesperson for the site.
Recruit and lead a well-qualified, high-performing, and culturally diverse staff.
Ensure that The Glass House represents best practices in historic preservation, education and interpretation, management, and JEDAI (justice, equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion).
Develop, manage, and maintain a balanced operating budget.
In collaboration with staff at the Glass House and in the National Trust’s Historic Sites Department, develop and implement plans to advance ongoing stewardship and interpretation of the site’s highly significant buildings, landscape, and art collection.
PAY & BENEFITS
This is a full-time, exempt level position, eligible for full benefits, including health, dental and life insurance, retirement benefits, and 3+ weeks of vacation, plus sick time and holidays.
The National Trust and its subsidiaries require all staff to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters (with limited exceptions for religious or medical reasons).
Hiring Range: $160,000- – 180,000 per year
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NCPE Internships: Eligibility & How to Apply
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.
As an organization operating under Public Land Corps Act (PLC) authority, many NCPE positions qualify the intern for Federal Hiring Preference if (1) they complete a minimum of 640 hours at one or more qualifying conservation project(s); (2) are between the ages of 16 and 30 years (35 if a veteran); and (3) apply for a Federal position at USAJOBS with PLC noted in the announcement within two years of completing the internship. Find out more about this hiring preference during the interview or contact manager@preservenet.org for details.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program or recently graduated (within the past 12 months) and be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. Interns are not eligible 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 during the Summer and Winter application rounds 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 user name 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. PDF only, labeled Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages preferred. May be .doc, .docx or PDF. 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 this application round. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
Once the deadline for submission has passed, NPS supervisors will review the applications and may contact candidates for a phone interview. Candidates who are not selected will be notified. Please allow about 4 weeks after the deadline before inquiring about the status of your application.
Quick Tips on How to Apply
#1 If you feel you need to bolster your resume or expand your knowledge base in a certain area, consider offering research assistance to an authority at your university and/or design a 1-credit reading course with an eminent scholar or practitioner.
#2 "Experience" is more than paid work. It is any activity that gives you the knowledge and ability to do something well. So include in the Universal Application all relevant research projects, academic extracurricular activities, and volunteer interests to show your initiative, leadership, and competency.
#3 Proofread everything. The qualification most sought after for any job or internship is strong communication skills so start off on the right foot with no spelling or grammatical errors in your application.
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.