Doing Business As: Winter Park History Museum

About the Organization

The Winter Park Historical Association (WPHA), doing business as the Winter Park History Museum (WPHM), is dedicated to collecting, preserving, promoting, and researching the history of Winter Park and its surrounding area and sharing that history with the public through educational programs and the operation of a museum.

The Museum serves as a community resource, preserving the stories, people, places, and events that have shaped Winter Park. We are seeking an energetic and collaborative leader who can build on the Museum’s strong foundation and help guide its continued growth and long-term sustainability.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is the chief executive and administrative leader of the Winter Park Historical Association and is responsible for advancing its mission, strengthening its financial position, expanding community relationships, and overseeing its overall operations.

A central priority of this position is to lead the Museum’s fundraising and development efforts. The Executive Director will cultivate relationships with individual donors, foundations, businesses, and community partners; pursue grants and other funding opportunities; and develop strategies to increase contributed revenue and long-term financial sustainability.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide organizational leadership, develop and implement strategic priorities, manage the annual budget, and represent the Museum throughout the community. The Executive Director supervises the Museum Manager and other staff, providing direction and support while ensuring effective day-to-day operations.

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for implementing Board-approved policies, plans, and objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fundraising and Development

• Lead the Museum’s overall fundraising and development strategy, with an emphasis on growing contributed revenue and establishing sustainable sources of support.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individual donors, major patrons, foundations, corporations, and community sponsors.
• Develop and implement strategies to attract new donors, increase annual giving, and strengthen donor retention.
• Identify, pursue, prepare, and oversee grant applications, including funding opportunities from the City of Winter Park, the State of Florida, foundations, and other sources.
• Build and maintain a grant calendar, donor pipeline, and development plan with measurable goals.
• Lead fundraising initiatives and special events, including the Museum’s annual gala.
• Oversee annual membership and dues solicitation and identify opportunities to grow membership and patron support.
• Work with the Board and its members to engage their networks and strengthen the Museum’s fundraising capacity.
• Monitor fundraising results and regularly report progress to the Board.

2. Organizational and Staff Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the Association and its staff.
• Supervise and support the Museum Manager and other employees, establishing clear responsibilities, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Empower the Museum Manager to oversee daily museum operations, including visitor services, staffing, docent and volunteer coordination, collections activities, exhibits, and educational programming.
• Recruit, develop, and retain qualified staff, interns, and volunteers in collaboration with the appropriate Board representatives.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable working environment.
• Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness and make the best use of limited staff and resources.

3. Financial Management

• Work with the Treasurer, Finance Committee, and Board to develop the annual operating budget.
• Oversee the organization’s financial performance and ensure expenditures are consistent with the approved budget.
• Monitor revenue, expenses, cash flow, and financial commitments, bringing significant concerns and recommendations to the Board.
• Ensure grants and restricted contributions are properly administered, documented, and reported.
• Work with the Treasurer and financial professionals to support accurate financial reporting, sound internal controls, and responsible financial management.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the Museum’s financial position and diversify its revenue sources.

4. Community Relations and Communications

• Serve as the Museum’s primary public representative and spokesperson.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with the City of Winter Park, local businesses, civic organizations, cultural institutions, foundations, and other community partners.
• Represent the Association in meetings and negotiations with the City of Winter Park, in coordination with the Board as appropriate.
• Increase the Museum’s visibility and strengthen its role as a valued community and cultural resource.
• Oversee the Museum’s communications, public relations, and marketing efforts, working with staff and outside resources as appropriate.
• Ensure consistent and effective communication through the Museum’s website, social media, newsletters, press releases, and other channels.
• Represent the Museum at community events, public presentations, and professional gatherings.

5. Museum Programs and Mission Advancement

• Ensure that the Museum’s programs and activities advance its mission and serve the interests of the community.
• Work with the Museum Manager to support engaging exhibits, educational programs, lectures, community events, and outreach initiatives.
• Encourage new ideas and partnerships that expand the Museum’s audiences and strengthen its educational impact.
• Work with staff and the Board to identify opportunities to preserve, interpret, and share Winter Park’s history.
• Support the development of programs that increase community participation, membership, and public awareness.

6. Board Relations and Strategic Planning

• Maintain a strong and productive working relationship with the Board of Directors.
• Work with the Board President to prepare meeting agendas, provide timely reports, and ensure the Board has the information needed to fulfill its governance responsibilities.
• Attend Board and appropriate committee meetings, providing management updates, recommendations, and strategic perspective.
• Help develop and implement short- and long-term strategic plans and organizational priorities.
• Provide the Board with regular updates on fundraising, financial performance, operations, programs, and community engagement.
• Support Board recruitment and development in coordination with the Board’s nominating committee.
• Implement Board-approved policies and decisions while providing professional recommendations on organizational needs and opportunities.

7. General Administration and Facilities

• Oversee the Association’s administrative operations, contracts, leases, insurance, and other organizational obligations.
• Ensure that the Museum’s facilities, offices, equipment, and off-site storage arrangements are appropriately maintained.
• Review contracts and significant commitments and present them to the Board or its authorized representatives for approval when required.
• Ensure appropriate administrative practices, recordkeeping, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and nonprofit requirements.
• Coordinate with the Board, staff, landlords, vendors, and professional advisers to address organizational needs.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will demonstrate a combination of nonprofit leadership, fundraising ability, sound management judgment, and a commitment to community engagement.

Preferred qualifications include:

• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit leadership, development, fundraising, advancement, museum administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation, grant development, or other revenue-generation activities.
• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with individual donors, foundations, businesses, and community partners.
• Strong organizational, financial, and administrative management skills.
• Experience supervising staff and working effectively with volunteers and Board members.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and public-speaking skills.
• Knowledge of nonprofit governance, financial practices, and applicable requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations.
• Ability to develop priorities, manage competing responsibilities, and achieve results with limited staff and resources.
• Experience with budgeting, financial reporting, grant administration, and common office and financial software.
• Ability to build effective relationships with local government, community organizations, businesses, and civic leaders.
• A demonstrated interest in local history, museums, education, or cultural organizations.

A bachelor’s degree is preferred. Equivalent professional experience and demonstrated accomplishments will also be considered.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a resourceful, approachable, and collaborative leader who combines strong nonprofit management skills with a demonstrated ability to raise funds and build lasting relationships.

The successful candidate will be comfortable engaging donors, developing funding opportunities, working with the Board, supervising staff, and representing the Museum throughout the community. They will understand the opportunities and challenges of leading a small nonprofit organization and will bring initiative, sound judgment, creativity, and a commitment to the Museum’s mission.

A passion for Winter Park’s history and an appreciation for the role that local history plays in strengthening community identity are important.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary range: $70,000–$80,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Full-time, exempt position.
• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan, subject to plan terms and eligibility.
• Health benefits or applicable health-related assistance, subject to the Museum’s established benefit arrangements.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave in accordance with WPHA policies.
• Professional development opportunities.

Occasional evening and weekend hours are required to support Museum programs, fundraising events, and community activities.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials to board@WPHistory.org:

• Cover letter describing relevant experience and interest in the position.
• Current résumé.
• Three professional references, including contact information.

Applications will be reviewed as received. Questions about the position may be directed to board@WPHistory.org.

The Winter Park Historical Association is an equal opportunity organization and welcomes applicants with a range of professional backgrounds and experiences.