Crossroads seeks candidates for the position of Executive Director as its current Executive Director, Janice Selinger, transitions from the role. Read on to learn more about this expanded position.
Position: Executive Director
Reports to: Board Chair and Executive Committee
Location: Trenton, New Jersey
Type: Full Time, salaried
Background:
Crossroads of the American Revolution Association, Inc., is the management entity for New Jersey’s only National Heritage Area. While the federal boundaries encompass 14 counties, Crossroads works throughout New Jersey to foster understanding of the American Revolution in the state where George Washington spent one-quarter of his time as Commander-in-Chief. The National Park Service provides annual federal funding for staffing, programming and activities within the federally designated area, which Crossroads supplements through foundation and corporate grants, non-profit and individual contributions.
With the approach of the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, Crossroads is taking a leadership role in planning New Jersey’s official commemoration. It has joined with the New Jersey Historical Commission to form Revolution NJ, a public-private partnership created to plan for and facilitate the state’s participation in the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. A state appropriation to Revolution NJ enabled Crossroads to undertake a number of studies from 2019 to 2022, to assess the feasibility of establishing New Jersey as a top-tier Revolutionary War destination. Those studies demonstrate that the goal is attainable, contingent on the state making key investments in core sites it owns.
Position Requirements:
As a leader of these high-profile efforts, the Executive Director of Crossroads will step into a public role that requires innovative leadershipand strong program management skills and experience, as well as the commitment and ability to forge successful collaborations across the state.
There is no preferred career path to this position. The successful candidate may have a background in management of historic sites at the federal, state, regional or local level; managed a privately-operated historic site or worked at several; managed a successful non-profit that created public programming in history, public information, or tourism; or may have worked in other leadership roles in the fields of cultural history, tourism, hospitality, museum management, preservation, or some other relevant discipline.
The successful candidate will be animated by a love of history and a desire to make history relevant and engaging for a 21st century audience. The backstories to New Jersey’s experience of the American Revolution go beyond battles and encampments to a more inclusive reality that embraces those who had to live in the midst of what was effectively a civil war, including women and children, enslaved, indentured and free Blacks and indigenous people, pacifists, fence-sitters, prisoners of war and the injured, as well as those who changed sides depending on which army approached.
Crossroads does not manage any historic sites. Instead it acts as a facilitator and collaborator to promote existing sites. As such, Crossroads is employing new techniques and methodologies to introduce people of all ages to American history as it was experienced. Ten Crucial Days ~ a free, downloadable audio tour that enables any driver to follow the path of Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware and ensuing victories at Trenton and Princeton ~ is the first of a series we are producing. Streetside Storytellers, a 10-week pilot program to enhance the skills of interpreters from urban communities, is underway with participants from around the state. The Executive Director will be expected to build on these programs to create and implement new initiatives that will take Crossroads visibility and impact to the next level.
Responsibilities and Duties:
The Executive Director is the public face of Crossroads, responsible for the administration of the overall operation of the organization, including providing staff leadership and direction, reviewing and evaluating the results of program activities, ensuring that continuing contractual and funding obligations are being fulfilled, allocating resources for greater program effectiveness and efficiency, and developing organizational and administrative policies and program objectives for consideration by the Board of Trustees.
Program Administration and Leadership
- Ensure that the Crossroads Association, under the direction of the board and guided by the National Heritage Area’s management plan, maintains a long-range strategy to achieve its mission. Identify and obtain funding for National Heritage Area programs and activities.
- Provide leadership in developing and implementing annual mission-driven programs, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Trustees and staff.
- Build working relationships and collaborative agreements with stakeholder public and private agencies and organizations to ensure the success of the National Heritage Area.
- Stay informed of significant developments and trends in the field.
- Provide leadership for Crossroads’ role in Revolution NJ, the official state planning partnership for New Jersey’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Communication
- Implement communications and outreach strategies that maximize public and stakeholder awareness of the National Heritage Area and Revolution NJ, their activities and programs, while representing both to partners, agencies, organizations, community groups and the general public.
- Keep the board fully informed on the condition of the Association as well as Revolution NJ, and all important factors influencing their missions.
- Fluency in spoken and written communication, including ability to represent Crossroads and Revolution NJ at public events, large and small, formal and informal.
Resource Development
- Work with the Development Director to implement fundraising and development strategies that ensure the long-term financial health of the Association, identify new sources for direct support, earned income and inkind contributions, and engage volunteers in the work of the organization.
- Develop partnerships with organizations that leverage the Association’s funding resources.
- Engage with the Development Director and Revolution NJ Capital Campaign Advisory Board to prepare for and carry out the campaign for the 250th.
Finance and Operations
- Develop and maintain sound financial practices; ensure that adequate funds are available for the Association to carry out its work at the National Heritage Area and with Revolution NJ.
- Work with the board and appropriate staff to prepare a comprehensive annual budget and business plan; ensure that the Association operates within budget guidelines.
- Jointly, with the board chair, conduct official correspondence, and jointly, with designated officers, execute legal documents; maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
- Coordinate task agreements with the National Park Service and other funding agencies.
- Manage Revolution NJ partnership budget in collaboration with the N.J. Historical Commission, including engaging and supervising consultants for tasks under Crossroads’ scope of responsibility.
- Administer the recruitment, development, and oversight of all personnel, both paid staff and volunteers.
- Ensure that job descriptions and work plans are developed for all personnel, that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are maintained.
Qualifications:
- Love of history; familiarity with New Jersey history and 18th century historic sites desirable
- Bachelor’s degree; graduate degrees and certifications welcomed
- Minimum 10 years’ leadership experience in related fields; a track record of managing collaborative, public facing education, awareness, and/or engagement projects and working with constituent groups desirable
- Ability to work flexible hours, understanding that events and meetings occur weekends, nights and holidays, as well as weekdays. In-state travel necessitates driver’s license and car; mileage reimbursed
- Financial management experience; familiarity with federal and state budget submittals desirable
- An organized problem-solver who can undertake projects and special assignments in a collaborative spirit, establish objectives, determine priorities, and keep a team of staff, volunteers, and partners on task and on schedule. Events and meetings will occur on weekends, nights and holidays
- Proficient using standard office software.
- Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational and personal skills.
- Strong oral and written communications skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects at a time, to meet deadlines and to appropriately delegate responsibility to staff.
- Ability to generate enthusiasm and promote collaboration among individuals with varied interests.
Salary: $125,000 to $155,000 commensurate with experience (negotiable for exceptionally qualified candidates). Health benefits and 401(k) plans in place.
Applicants should email cover letter, salary requirements and resume to [email protected] , including “Executive Director Job Opportunity” in email subject line.
Crossroads of the American Revolution Association, the federally designated management organization for the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area,
is an equal opportunity employer.
