Executive Director - Roanoke Island Festival Park - HS60083689

State of North Carolina

1d•Onsite

About The Position

As the Executive Director of Roanoke Island Festival Park, you will oversee an interactive living history experience that celebrates the first English settlement in America and serves as a cultural and community hub. The park features historic attractions such as a 16th-century replica ship (the Elizabeth II), an adventure museum, American Indian Town, and a settlement village, all staffed by historic interpreters. This role involves the day-to-day management of 20 to 30 permanent and temporary/seasonal staff and responsibility for an operating budget of approximately $2.5 million, which is 70% receipt and donation funded and 30% appropriations. The park is a 27-acre site that opened in 1983 with the Elizabeth II, a visitor/ticket sales center, offices, and an auditorium. An expansion in 1998 added an 8,500 sq. ft. Adventure Museum, a 240-seat indoor theatre, a 3,000 sq. ft. meeting room, an outdoor performance pavilion with lawn seating for 3,500, a museum store, administrative offices, maintenance facilities, waterside boardwalks, and a public Kayak Launch. It is nestled in Manteo, Dare County, and its waterfront pavilion hosts concerts and community events.

Requirements

Master's degree in public history, historic preservation, business or public administration, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution AND five years of progressive historical experience in the private or public sector which includes research and history program management; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must be available to work a typical schedule of Monday - Friday 8:30-5:30 with a one-hour lunch, and occasional evening, weekend and holiday hours required as needed.

Nice To Haves

Business administration experience
Strategic planning experience
Stakeholder engagement
Management
Communications
Museum and/or public history leadership

Responsibilities

Develop and execute short- and long-term operational plans for Roanoke Island Festival Park including staffing, maintenance, programming and events, including plans to maintain the Elizabeth II.
Ensure adequate staffing to support park operations, including management of full-time personnel and use of temporary or seasonal employees as needed.
Work with staff to develop and implement ongoing and seasonal programming to draw visitors to the park.
Work with staff to identify, prioritize and execute maintenance projects at the park, including maintenance of buildings and grounds, using contractors or other licensed professionals as needed.
Work with staff to develop and execute an ongoing maintenance plan for the Elizabeth II, which includes regular surveys of the ship, contracting with specialists on maintenance and repair and possible collaboration with Dare County to ensure navigability of the waterways so ship can be hauled out annually.
Work with staff to effectively manage the rental of event space at the park.
Establish and oversee organizational structure to support operations.
Ensure that organizational structure aligns to reflect clear accountability and responsibility for key park functions.
Hire and manage permanent and temporary staff to support operations.
Develop and manage budget to support operations and comply with state purchasing requirements.
Develop a budget that accurately reflects park income (including ticket sales and donations) and expenses, including accounting for future maintenance and equipment needs.
Regularly review financial reports to ensure budget is on track.
Ensure that purchases and contracts for the park meet with all state purchasing requirements.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local and state agencies, including but not limited to the Town of Manteo, Dare County, the Friends of the Elizabeth II, N.C. DNCR, N.C. DOT and members of the local business community.
Attend Friends of the Elizabeth II meetings.
Communicate regularly with local and state agencies and members of the business community regarding park operations.
Attend town and county meetings as needed.