“With a greater knowledge of history, we can more fully appreciate the great difficulties and the great opportunities that lie ahead.  By reconnecting with our past, we can renew a sense of who we are, what we stand for and where we are headed…” – Owsley Brown Frazier
 
www.fraziermuseum.org
 
Founded in 2004, the Frazier History Museum is a world-class museum that provides an unforgettable journey through more than 1,000 years of history with ever-changing and interactive exhibits, daily performances by costumed interpreters and engaging special events and programs.  The museum is located on downtown Louisville’s “Museum Row” in a beautiful 100,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility originally called the “Doerhoefer Building,” a late 19th century, Chicago-style commercial structure.  For more information on Museum Row, please visit http://www.museumrowonmain.com/. 
 
The museum has welcomed over 1 million visitors during its ten-year history. Originally known as the Frazier Historical Arms Museum, and founded through the generous commitment of the late Owsley Brown Frazier, the museum changed its name to more fully describe the visitor experience and to further commit to the mission of becoming the premier history museum in the region.  The museum has three floors of exhibits, an education center, Museum Store and theater, as well as event spaces available for rent, including a rooftop garden and 4th floor loft-style space that accommodates up to 360 people seated.  The museum has recently completed a $1.4 million Future Fund Campaign. The funds will be used to expand the museum’s education space and reconfigure the front entrance and museum store.
 
The Frazier History Museum is a member of the Smithsonian Affiliate Membership Program and the American Association of Museums (AAM) and participates in a reciprocal membership network through the North American Reciprocal Museum Program (NARM).
 
Earlier this year, the Executive Director retired after a seven-year tenure.  The Board of Directors then appointed an Interim Director to begin the process of organizational and cultural change.  The Interim Director has been empowered by the Board to implement current management techniques and has already made significant strides toward realizing its vision for the museum.  The Interim Director will remain in the role until the next leader is identified and will assist and support the transition as needed.
 
 
The Opportunity:  President and CEO
 
This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary and mission-driven professional.  The Frazier seeks leadership to guide the institution toward the next level of growth, success and action.  The succeeding President and CEO will join a cultural and educational institution that is prominently situated in a vibrant community in the heart of Louisville’s cultural center, better known as “Museum Row,” and is poised to become one of Louisville’s most attractive tourist institutions.   Exciting expansion projects are underway and will be more fully advanced in the next 30-60 days.  These projects will advance the Frazier toward additional prominence and visibility.
 
The President and CEO will work closely with the Board to realize the founder’s vision and define a strategic plan for the museum.  The next leader will also provide financial acumen, Board engagement, external relations/community engagement and general oversight of operations and staff.  The position oversees an existing management team of six direct reports and will evolve and grow the leadership structure to meet the future needs of the Museum.
 
The next President and CEO will be charged with executing a strategic planning process, which is to include both the development of a clear and exciting vision, as well as an action plan to achieve well-defined goals and metrics.  In particular, there is a strong desire for the museum to achieve accreditation and this will be a key focus for the next President and CEO. S/he will serve as the chief ambassador for future success and active partnerships that advance the museum as an integral contributor to a broad range of community interests and audiences.  These interests are diverse, educationally engaging, family-oriented, business-friendly and collaborative, both locally and in the wider community/region.  This next leader is charged with successfully packaging and telling the Frazier’s story to those diverse audiences, bringing a fresh perspective and best practices.

Performance Objectives
 
Visionary Leadership

• In collaboration with the Board of Directors, support the Frazier’s vision, and implement said vision, through an actionable and representative strategic plan. 
• Identify and implement plans for the growth and long-term sustainability of the organization that are collaborative and foster partnership opportunities.
  • Develop an action-plan to achieve accreditation for the Frazier in the foreseeable future. 
• Promote and foster an organizational culture that creates and sustains a productive and motivated climate for staff, Board Members, volunteers and other stakeholders.
• Lead the process, with the senior management team and Board, to develop a financial strategy that strengthens the overall position of the Frazier, while capitalizing on current opportunities.

 
 
Earned Revenue & Fund Development

• Support the development team in the creation and implementation of a plan to identify and build strong relationships with key donors, community leaders and volunteers, and engage both present and potential Frazier partners.
• Nurture partnerships and relationships with current and prospective funders through donor recognition programs and stewardship activities. Cultivate long-term relationships to ensure continued funding and funder involvement.
• Guide the team in its development of expanded membership and sponsorship programs, gift shop revenue, facility and other generated income.
• Collaborate with the senior management team to expand and increase the organization’s revenue base, as measured by increased attendance, earned revenue and philanthropic support of the organization.
• In partnership with the Board, mentor and grow staff capabilities in the areas of earned and contributed income.
• Explore other revenue opportunities that can propel the museum forward into new areas of its mission and vision.

 
Marketing and Community Engagement

• Maintain and cultivate a positive working relationship with the City of Louisville/Louisville Metro Government, State and Regional partners, the local Tourism Bureau and neighboring peer organizations in a collegial, assertive and creative manner.
• Provide strategic leadership to the organization’s efforts to effectively package and communicate the mission, goals and accomplishments of the Frazier to donors, prospective donors and the broader community.
• Serve as an articulate, passionate and visible advocate and spokesperson for the Frazier and as the primary face of the mission and vision throughout the organization and in local communities.
• Bring prominence - locally, regionally and nationally - to the Frazier as one of the region’s premiere attractions.
• Maintain active membership and a strong presence in professional organizations, community groups and other spaces relevant to the work of the Frazier and its mission.

 
Board Relations

• Establish and maintain a strong, engaging relationship with the Board of Directors.
• Work with the Board to create an overall culture of philanthropy and to enhance fundraising activities.
• Communicate effectively and promptly with the Board and serve as the strongest link of communication between Board members, staff, volunteers and the community at-large/other stakeholders.
• Work with the Board to ensure that Board Members’ goals are aligned with the Frazier’s vision and strategic plan.

 
Operational Leadership and Staff Management

• Lead the curatorial, education and program staff in its efforts for collaboration/partnerships with schools, businesses and the community.
• Supervise programs and operations of the senior staff team using models of best practice that are in line with the mission and vision of the museum and build a culture of openness to change, growth and lifelong learning.
• Mentor and lead staff in maximizing their performance in executing operational aspects of the Frazier.
• Evaluate policies, roles and infrastructure, ensuring roles are clearly defined and accountable, to achieve maximum impact.
• Serve as an advocate for staff, leading with an open-door policy, a lens of flexibility and an ability to help shape the culture to meet the needs of guests and the community.
• Provide financial oversight of the annual budget and ongoing operational expenses.

 
 
The Qualified Candidate
 
Frazier History Museum seeks a highly-energetic and dynamic leader as it prepares to enter the next decade of its history.  The next President and CEO will bring both genuine commitment to the history of the museum and the community, as well as the ability to create and drive the museum’s vision for the future.  The successful candidate will have effective relationship building and interpersonal skills, prior experience in Board leadership and development, best practices in institutional management and a strong financial acumen.  An understanding of the complexities of working in cultural institutions is preferred.  
 
Specific Requirements Include:
 

• Proven ability to build strong external relationships with a variety of constituencies, and serve as the chief advocate/spokesperson on behalf of the Frazier History Museum.
  • A minimum of 10 years of organizational leadership experience in staff development and leading high performing staff teams; leading change amidst organizational transformation is preferred.
• Successful track record in fundraising and philanthropy in a relevant/similar nonprofit, public agency or other organization.
• Proven experience in financial management, stewardship and developing strategies to successfully increase revenue.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop a highly productive, effective team by mentoring staff, building teams and enhancing professionalism within the museum.
  • Entrepreneurial spirit, creative problem solver, strong collaborator, and relationship builder.
  • Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication and presentation skills.
  • A Bachelor’s degree is required, with relevant advanced training or degree in business, nonprofit or museum administration/management strongly preferred.
  • Full immersion in the Louisville community will be required. 
  • Experience in museum management, including curatorial oversight.

 
This position offers a competitive salary with strong benefits. Relocation support will be provided based on specific circumstances. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
The Frazier History Museum is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.
 
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by Heather A. Eddy, CFRE, President and CEO and Kelly C. Monahan, Senior Associate of Alford Executive Search.  To apply, candidates must complete the online application at https://alfordexecutivesearch.applicantstack.com/x/openings and thereon submit their cover letter and resume.  To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will be accepted via email. Questions may be addressed to Ms. Monahan at kmonahan@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Alford Executive Search, a division of KEES (www.alfordexecutivesearch.com) is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the not-for-profit community through professional staffing solutions.