Sandcastles Children’s Museum is Hiring a new Executive Director!

Job Description

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

Sandcastles Children’s Museum does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), height, weight, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, military service, or any other legally protected characteristic, in its program and activities, including employment opportunities.