Position Description for Executive Director/CEO
Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Position reopened as of July 16, 2010.

Background:

The Atwater Kent Museum, newly operating as the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent (PHM), is poised to fulfill its role as a vibrant, relevant 21^st century institution. PHM’s primary mission is to provide historical context for issues of contemporary urban life using its premier collection of Philadelphia material culture in exhibitions, programs, and electronic media for city families, school-aged children, and the general public.

In October 2007 PHM developed a Strategic Business Plan 2009-2012 that includes the first major renovations to the Museum Building (15 South 7^th Street) since the 1940s; storage of the 100,000 item collection in a single, off-site Research Center; and a rebranding, marketing, and development effort to raise the institutional profile, expand the PHM giving constituency, and increase attendance and program participation.

Since 2002, the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent has:

• raised $5.8 million to renovate the Museum Building – construction to be completed by the summer of 2010, with exhibit fit-out and installation to be completed in the fall and winter of 2010-11;
• shown an operating surplus in the past three years and reduced long-term debt;
• negotiated a ten-year lease for a professionally equipped collection storage facility with direct City support;
• received $1.3 million in two three-year grants from The William Penn Foundation to support long-term sustainability including the current rebranding and marketing initiative, development of an individual giving program, and a new Web site;
• raised $750,000 to outfit the Research Center and for collection inventory and management initiatives;
• generated $200,000 in federal and private foundation funds to support curriculum-based education programs;
• mounted 19 exhibitions with 56 complementary programs; and
• participated in significant programmatic collaborations with the Free Library of Philadelphia; National History Day Philly; and Quest for Freedom programs now included in the National Park Service Network to Freedom.

The Atwater Kent Museum was created by City Ordinance in 1938, after the Mayor and civic leaders approached radio manufacturer A. Atwater Kent to save the historic Museum Building that was designed and built by John Haviland in 1826 for the Franklin Institute. The Institute had moved to the parkway and the building was vacant. Kent purchased the Museum Building and gave it to the City on the condition that it be used as the city history museum, be free to the public, and carry his name.

In 1982 the Atwater Kent Museum was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization. Currently, the City of Philadelphia provides approximately one-third of the museum’s annual operating budget of $1.3 million, primarily through salary support for four positions; a rent subsidy for the new, off-site Collection Research Center; and utilities to support the Museum Building. Within City government the Museum is an independent department with administrative services provided by the Department of Recreation.

PHM is governed by a private Board of Trustees that may have up to 24 members and following renovation will operate with an estimated 12 full-time, 5 part-time, and 3 contract employees.

In December 2009, the Executive Director & CEO announced that she was retiring no later than June 2010. During her tenure systemic issues undermining the museum’s potential have been addressed:

• collection care transformed;
• major collections added including the Art and Artifact Collection of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia-related items from the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies and the Insurance Company of North America (CIGNA), and 3,500 photographs of Philadelphia from the 1970s-80s by photojournalist Neil Benson;
• integrity and relevance of exhibitions and programs recognized;
• credibility with City officials established;
• collaborations with diverse organizations meeting audience expectations; and
• balanced budgets and stable fiscal management as standard operating procedure.

With this foundation, the Philadelphia History Museum is now positioned to fully meet the vision articulated by the trustees in 2001. The new Executive Director/CEO will have the opportunity to determine exhibitions and programs of the newly renovated Museum Building, make the museum collection accessible in dynamic new ways, and participate in inter-disciplinary collaborative programs to create a sustainable future for generations to come. Successful participation in the Accreditation program of the American Association of Museums remains the foremost single goal of museum trustees and staff because of what it represents concerning the achievement of professional practice in all areas of operation, including significantly increased engagement with a variety of publics. With this stamp of approval, the new Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent looks forward to fulfilling its role as one of the premier cultural institutions in Philadelphia and as a leader in the history museum field nationally.

Position and Responsibilities

The Executive Director/CEO of the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent is chief executive officer of the museum and carries the ultimate staff responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the institution. The position of Executive Director/CEO is an appointed City position, funded by both the City of Philadelphia and PHM. As such, residency within the City of Philadelphia is a requirement. The Executive Director/CEO assures that the staff is positioned to fulfill PHM’s mission; guarantees that professional standards are set and met; and is responsible for adding to the resources of the museum as well as managing those resources for the public good. The Executive Director/CEO shapes the vision of the museum and as the intellectual leader of the museum assures its commitment to education and the transmission of historical knowledge appropriate to the mission and of benefit to its audiences.

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• Provide a vision for the future of the museum and lead the effort to create and implement a visionary but realistic strategic plan for the museum.
• Oversee the efficient operation of the museum, assuring all necessary systems and procedures are in place and functioning and that facilities are maintained.
• Supervise the management and development of the museum’s financial resources, taking responsibility for the budgeting process, the monitoring of income and expenditures, maximizing earned income opportunities as well as serving as a key fundraiser, working closely with the board and appropriate staff.
• Build donor relationships with individuals and corporations, while expanding the base of foundations and government agencies that support museum programs.
• Continue to expand the opportunities for programming and services with the City of Philadelphia and related cultural organizations.
• Assure that the museum’s exhibits, public programs and educational offerings are innovative and of high quality, meeting the mission of the museum and the expectations of a diverse public.
• Work with staff to insure that the new program plan for PHM integrates and supports sound business practices and provides additional opportunities to further leverage visitation and the financial resources for the Museum.
• Assure that the care of the collection and the quality of historical research meets the highest standards and are appropriate to support the educational and entertainment roles of the museum.
• Act in support of the Board of Trustees providing information for their action and reporting to them in a timely fashion; seek out and use their expertise; assure productive meetings and well-informed decisions; and play a role in Board recruitment and development.
• Develop the human resources for the museum; be responsible for the hiring, development, support and as necessary dismissal of staff; assure the professionalism of staff; coordinate staff work to maximize achievements; work to keep staff morale high; set and hold high standards of performance and personal integrity of all staff.
• Guide the development and implementation of the Museum’s marketing, branding and advertising plans and initiatives as the Philadelphia History Museum re-opens in late 2010 or early 2011.
• Be a highly visible and effective spokesperson for the museum in Philadelphia and the region and in the cultural community nationally; maximize support by developing relations with City officials, local civic and business organizations, state and national governmental agencies, corporations, foundations, as well as with individuals; and be an effective political strategist well versed in the workings of a public/private partnership.

Qualifications:

The new Executive Director/CEO should be a proven museum professional with the organizational experience to continue the museum’s institutional momentum and skills to guide the museum to a position of local and national leadership through the development of innovative exhibitions and programs serving a broad constituency. S/he will be a team builder and “hands-on” manager, with fiscal management and marketing skills, and a strong background in program, fundraising, and audience development.

The new Executive Director/CEO should have a minimum of ten years experience in a museum or related organization, working with a board and supervising professional staff, overseeing fiscal matters and budget development, securing funds and building programs and new audiences. Candidates must have managed complex projects, exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit, be an inspirational spokesperson for the organization, have experience or familiarity with the educational opportunities of museums, have strong leadership and networking skills. The preferred candidate will have an advanced degree in American history, business, management or a related field.

Candidates must have a knowledge of and interest in the uses of contemporary technologies, particularly in their application in museums for marketing, programming, education, fundraising, and operations.

The final candidate will be a dynamic, energetic and enthusiastic individual committed to providing educational experiences for diverse audiences; leveraging a dynamic public/private partnership; and, most importantly, have the passion and understanding of American and Philadelphia history and for the significant opportunities of a city history museum.

Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience.

Starting Date: Fall 2010.

Procedure for Application: Submit resume, one page narrative describing interest in the position and qualifications, salary requirements and the names of three references.

All materials must be submitted to: Philadelphiahistory@schultzwilliams.com

No telephone calls will be accepted.

Applications accepted through August 15, 2010.

Schultz & Williams is a national consulting firm based in Philadelphia; providing management, fundraising and marketing consulting for nonprofit organizations, along with full-service direct marketing, database and creative/production services.