Join Our Team

Open Position: Executive Director

 

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY

Friends of Auburn Heights (FAH), a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, owns, operates, and interprets the Marshall Steam Museum (MSM) and its collections. These are housed in and in partnership with Auburn Valley State Park (AVSP), a 456-acre management unit of the Delaware State Parks system located in Yorklyn, Delaware.

The mission of FAH is to educate the public firsthand about an American way of life that flourished at the dawn of the automotive age, preserve the technology of historic steam transportation, and serve as an advocate for Auburn Valley State Park (AVSP).

The park’s focal point consists of a historic house, “carriage house” vintage car workshop, museum exhibition building, and 1/8-size steam railroad, collectively referred to as the Marshall Steam Museum. MSM safeguards one of the largest collections of Stanley steam cars in the world, among other objects.

As a “Friends” organization, FAH also advocates for Auburn Valley State Park through a cooperative agreement with Delaware State Parks. This relationship promotes and encourages the protection, preservation, restoration, maintenance and public use of the land, historic structures and collections of the park through a strong community of volunteers, inspiring activities, public awareness, fundraising and education.

FAH is managed by an Executive Director responsible for overall leadership of staff and volunteers working together to advance the mission. The Executive Director reports to the FAH Board President. Supporting the Executive Director is the Public Programs and Events Manager, Operations and Volunteer Manager, and the Office Manager.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director is responsible for leading a small group of staff and their collaboration with a large group of dedicated volunteers. They will steer the organization into a new phase of community relevance, collections stewardship, and continued financial stability. The role reports to the FAH Board of Directors, and executes their unified vision for: FAH and MSM leadership, vision, and management, state and government relations, member and volunteer relations, communications, finance, and community engagement.

Salary Range: $80,000-85,000

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Status: Exempt; Permanent; Full-time (40 hours/week)

Reports to: Friends of Auburn Heights Board President

Working Conditions: Regular business hours, with some evening and weekend events (time to be flexed the following week). Primarily an office setting, with some work in exhibits space, collections storage, and outdoors. Physical activity to include standing, sitting for extended periods, walking, lifting, bending, climbing stairs, talking, and hearing.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Public Programs and Events Manager, Operations and Volunteer Manager, and Office Manager

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Duties/Responsibilities

Leadership and Vision

• • Provide overall leadership and direction for the Friends of Auburn Heights (FAH)
  • Manage staff and volunteers to ensure effective operations
  • Work closely with the FAH Board of Directors, providing them with the necessary information for effective governance
  • Build out the existing “2045 Strategic Framework” into a phased implementation plan
  • Regularly evaluate success of the strategic plan and use adaptive strategies to respond to changing community needs and museum trends
  • Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and best practices for museums and non-profits
  • Develop and implement organizational policies and procedures with Board guidance and approval
  • Assess the effectiveness of programs and initiatives using a scorecard to report progress to stakeholders and the Board
  • Mobilize and lead efforts in fundraising and events by partnering with Board members and key volunteers to develop donor relationships on behalf of the museum

 

State and Local Government Relations

• • Position and promote the museum as a cultural resource and advocate for its role in the federal, state, and local community
  • Act as the point person for engagement with Division of State Parks and for collaboration with AVSP staff
  • Assist the Board in legislative liaison activities by planning and establishing an advocacy strategy for governmental and regulatory changes that impact FAH

 

Member and Volunteer Relations

• • Cultivate and recruit new FAH members
  • Cultivate and recruit new volunteers
  • Develop strategies for retaining and motivating volunteers through a new formal volunteer recognition program
  • Support the Operations and Volunteer Manager with existing and creation of new volunteer programs that align with the FAH mission

 

Communications

• • Communicate FAH priorities, activities, and focus to membership, volunteers, and the community
  • Develop marketing strategies to increase visibility and awareness among existing and new audiences with the specific aim of increasing engagement in our programs, events, membership, and volunteer programs
  • Represent the FAH at public events and in media engagements

 

Financial Oversight

• • Oversee the FAH financial sustainability and accountability
  • Establish annual budget, prepare the annual report, and transparently oversee its implementation
  • Oversee the preparation of the Form 990 and bi-annual audits
  • Coordinate and, as directed/needed, write grant applications to secure funding
  • Mobilize and lead efforts in fundraising, development, and donor cultivation
  • Identify and seek new funding relationships with organizations, business, agencies, and individuals

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree with a concentration in museum studies, non-profit management, or history is preferred
• Minimum 5 years of management experience, preferably in the non-profit space, either as a volunteer or employee
• Previous involvement in developing and/or implementing a strategic plan
• Proven success in developing and managing an annual budget
• Demonstrable success raising funds
• Experience of working with and organizing volunteers

 

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Comfort with marketing, publicity, public relations, and social media
• Working knowledge of payroll and financial software (e.g., Quickbooks)
• Working knowledge of HR policies and procedures
• Basic knowledge of IT
• Ability to work weekends and evenings when required
• Possession of a valid driver’s license in good standing
• Familiarity of working with governmental organizations

 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• A mission-driven commitment to the organization with passion, integrity, and a positive attitude
• A record of interpreting a high-level vision, setting large goals, and successfully leading detailed plans to achieve those goals
• A problem solver who is action-oriented, entrepreneurial, and adaptable
• Ability to anticipate and address issues and challenges that may stand in the way of success
• Able to delegate

 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 to 5:00), primarily in an office setting, with some work in exhibits space, collections storage, and outdoors.Seasonal programming and Board meetings require some weekend and evening work. Compensatory time is offered to offset work hours beyond normal schedules.
• For the first year, the position will require on-site presence 5 days/week. (On occasion work-from-home is allowed to accommodate personal needs, inclement weather, home emergencies, etc). A flexible schedule, which may include work from home and/or compensation time, will be considered in late-2026. The schedule must meet the needs of the organization and museum to maintain smooth and effective operations.
• Work with the public and among large operating steam engine powered machines requires a variety of physical activity to include standing, sitting for extended periods, walking, bending, talking, and hearing
• Less than 10% for travel

 

FIRST YEAR VISION

The ED will build out the existing “2045 Strategic Framework” into a phased implementation plan. Success of the plan will be indicated by increased awareness of the site among constituents and their regional and state representatives, and attendance gains at our wonderful heritage site. Deployed strategies may additionally include: fostering strong relationships among staff and volunteers, purposeful public engagement, upgraded fiscal infrastructure, fundraising, insightful and regular audience assessment, and well-communicated service through strategic advocacy and external communications.

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The starting salary range for this position is $80,000 to 85,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience. There is also a performance-based bonus awarded annually at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Employer-provided medical insurance (with option to buy into vision and dental plans)
• Employer matched Simple IRA after one year of employment
• 10 days of vacation, 3 days of personal leave, and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays

 

HOW TO APPLY

Provide PDF copies of your resume and a cover letter addressing your experiences strategically leading organizations, fundraising, and community engagement. Please email materials to the Search Committee, jobs@auburnheights.org, with the subject line “Executive Director.” No phone calls, please. For best consideration, please submit by September 15, 2025. The search will remain open until filled.

Interviews will begin in September with a 60-minute Zoom conversation with the Search Committee followed by an in-person half-day site visit. Candidates invited to the final interview will receive compensation to assist with travel. Flexible, but ideal start date is January 2026.

FAH is committed to equal opportunity and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. FAH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its processes, educational programs and activities, and employment practices.

No one candidate will be perfect for this job. Please apply even if you do not meet all of the qualifications.