Director, Historic Trades & Skills

Open To External And Internal Candidates•Williamsburg, VA

About The Position

The Director, Historic Trades serves as the senior leader of the Department of Historic Trades and Skills (HTS), providing strategic direction and oversight for the department’s people, programs, operations, and resources. The role advances excellence in training and professional development, leadership, safety, financial management, historic trade practices, interpretation, and guest experience. The Director leads and supports department managers who oversee daily operations in their trade shops, skills areas, and sites, while establishing clear priorities, expectations, and standards. The Director collaborates across divisions and represents HTS to external organizations, professional partners, and donors, communicating the department’s significance and cultivating support for its programs and initiatives. The role establishes and reinforces standards for historical accuracy, craftsmanship, interpretation, and guest engagement. The Director oversees departmental strategy and operations, management and staff development, hiring and performance processes, workplace safety, budgets and resource stewardship, interpretive standards, and training and curriculum development. The position works with the Associate Vice President of Historic Area Interpretation & Operations and partners across the Foundation, including Historic Interpretation, Preservation, Curatorial & Collections, Historical Research, School and Group Programs, and Development. The role requires knowledge generally gained through a four-year degree in American history or a discipline-related subject, 10 years of living history museum experience as an interpreter, teacher, or in a related historical presentation role, and 5–7 years of leadership or supervisory experience. A master’s degree in public history, museum studies, or nonprofit studies is preferred. A valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and an acceptable driving record are required. The job includes frequent walking and use of hands/fingers; occasional standing, sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping, reaching, and lifting; constant talking or hearing and exposure to wet or humid conditions; and frequent exposure to extreme cold and heat. Driving is required. The anticipated hiring range is $94,800–$150,000 per year.

Requirements

Knowledge generally gained through a four-year degree in American history or a subject related to a specific discipline.
10 years of living history museum experience as an interpreter, teacher, or in a related historical presentation role.
5–7 years of prior leadership or supervisory responsibilities.
Valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and an acceptable driving record under The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s criteria.
Provide a five-year Motor Vehicle Record prior to employment.
At least 21 years of age.
No more than one moving violation or at-fault accident within 12 months.
No more than two moving violations or at-fault accidents within 36 months.
No serious motor vehicle violations, including excessive speeding, reckless driving, DUI/DWI, or a suspended or revoked license.
Ability to meet the stated physical and environmental demands, including walking, using hands/fingers, talking or hearing, and working in wet or humid conditions and extreme temperatures.
Driving is required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in public history, museum studies, or nonprofit studies.
Strong understanding of historic trade practices, traditional craft processes, and the role of skilled trades in a living history or museum environment.
Appreciation for historical accuracy, craftsmanship, and interpretive excellence.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic direction and establish long- and short-term priorities for personnel, operations, financial management, training and curriculum, and departmental initiatives.
Direct departmental operations, emphasizing problem-solving, sound decisions, and accountability while balancing staff, guest, and Foundation needs.
Lead and develop the department’s management team through clear expectations, regular communication, and consistent support.
Oversee hiring, training, retention, performance management, and succession planning in partnership with managers and Human Resources.
Ensure safe, effective, and consistent operations, including shop and workplace safety, staffing, policies and procedures, historic trade practices, and operational planning.
Manage departmental finances and steward resources; work with the Associate Vice President of Historic Area Interpretation & Operations on the annual budget, priorities, and investment and development opportunities.
Maintain and evaluate standards for interpretation and guest experience, including educational quality, historical accuracy, presentation, accessibility, safety, engagement, and guest enjoyment.
Guide training and curriculum development to reflect current scholarship, effective teaching methods, institutional standards, and evaluation and feedback.
Set expectations for responsible care and use of historic properties, buildings, collections, tools, equipment, and reproduction materials in collaboration with relevant partners.
Advocate for and steward Historic Trades & Skills across the Foundation, building partnerships and integrating HTS expertise, priorities, and resources into institutional initiatives.
Collaborate with Historic Interpretation, Preservation, Curatorial & Collections, Historical Research, School and Group Programs, Development, and other partners to advance shared goals and the Foundation’s mission.
Model integrity, collaboration, effective communication, guest service, and accountability while fostering professionalism, teamwork, continuous learning, and service.