Join Our Team

Executive Director

Organizational Summary:
Friends of Auburn Heights (FAH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the Marshall Steam Museum (MSM) in Auburn Valley State Park (AVSP), located in Yorklyn, Delaware. Our mission is to educate the public about early American life and steam transportation, preserve historic technology, and advocate for AVSP.
FAH works in partnership with Delaware State Parks to protect and preserve the park’s land, structures, and collections through community involvement, fundraising, and educational programs.

Position Summary:
The Executive Director (ED) will lead FAH, manage staff and volunteers, and support the Board of Directors. The ED will guide FAH into a new phase of community engagement, collections stewardship, and continued financial sustainability. Responsibilities include overseeing operations, fundraising, advocacy, and public relations.

Salary Range:
$80,000 – $85,000
Status: Exempt; Full-time (40 hours/week)
Reports to: FAH Board President
Work Conditions: Hybrid (on-site 4 days/week)
Supervision: Manager of Programs and Events and Office Manager

Duties/Responsibilities:

Leadership:
Lead FAH and manage staff and volunteers.
Collaborate with the Board to develop and implement FAH’s Strategic Plan.
Monitor success and adjust strategies as needed.
Ensure compliance with laws and best practices.

Government Relations:
Advocate FAH as a cultural resource to government agencies.
Act as liaison with the Division of Delaware State Parks.

Member & Volunteer Relations:
Recruit and retain FAH members and volunteers.
Develop a volunteer recognition program.

Communications:
Share FAH’s mission and activities with the community.
Develop marketing strategies to increase visibility.
Represent FAH at public events and in media.

Financial Oversight:
Manage FAH’s budget and ensure financial accountability.
Lead fundraising efforts and coordinate grant applications.
Build and maintain relationships with donors and funders.

Community & Audience Engagement:
Oversee educational programs and events.
Support staff and volunteers to enhance visitor experiences.
Cultivate partnerships with local organizations, schools, and government entities.

Collections Management:
Enforce collection policies and support collections management.

Education & Experience:
Required: Bachelor’s degree.
Preferred: Master’s in museum studies, nonprofit management, or history.
Experience: 5+ years in nonprofit or museum management, strategic planning, budgeting, and fundraising.

Skills & Abilities:
Proficiency in financial software (e.g., QuickBooks).
Expertise in the Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & etc.).
Experience with marketing, publicity, and social media.
Experience with fundraising.
Ability to work weekends and evenings.
Valid driver’s license.

Personal Attributes:
Passion for FAH’s mission.
Ability to set and achieve long-term goals.
Independent problem solver with adaptability.
Strong delegation skills.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:
Occasional weekend and evening work for events. Seasonally dependent.
Physical activities include standing, lifting, walking, and interacting with machinery.

First Year Vision:
The ED will implement the 2045 Strategic Framework, focusing on increasing awareness and engagement, nurturing relationships with staff and volunteers, and upgrading fiscal and fundraising structures.

Compensation & Benefits:
Salary: $80,000 – $85,000, with a performance bonus.
Benefits: Health insurance (with dental and vision options), Simple IRA (with employer match), paid time off, flex time, and federal holidays.

How to Apply:
Provide PDF copies of your resume and a cover letter addressing your experience strategically leading organizations, fundraising, and community engagement.

Please email materials to Katie Singh, admin@aubernheights.org, with the subject line “Executive Director.” No phone calls, please. For best consideration, please submit by May 7. The search will remain open until filled.

Interviews will commence with a preliminary 15-minute phone screen, and we anticipate that formal interviews will begin in May with a 30-minute staff-focused Zoom conversation and then an in-person 60-minute search committee meeting. (Candidates invited to the final interview will receive money to assist with travel.) Flexible, but ideal start date is late Summer or early Fall 2025.

FAH is committed to equal opportunity and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The 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.

Job Title: Public Programs & Events Manager with the Friends of Auburn Heights / Marshall Steam Museum

Position Summary:
The Public Programs & Events Manager directs the development, refinement and delivery of a wide range of programming efforts, taking the lead role in the museum’s interpretive strategy and marketing efforts. Responsible for children’s on-site and outreach programs as well as an established lineup of public events, this position takes the lead in creating new engagement opportunities that expand the visitor experience and reach new audiences, working closely and collaboratively with the Executive Director and with museum volunteers.

Primary Responsibilities:

Program Development and Delivery:
  • Create and implement educational programs (including outreach and on-site) that align with the organization’s mission
  • Research and evaluate community needs to develop relevant programming
Event Planning and Management:
  • Organize and oversee programs & events (on-site and in the community)
Exhibitions:
  • Oversee exhibit planning and implementation, to include outsourcing design and construction, as needed
  • Update museum displays to reach new audiences and encourage repeat visitation
  • Seek exhibit partnerships for loaned objects
Program Budget Management:
  • Develop and submit to the Executive Director programs & exhibits budgets as well as monitor and manage those budgets
  • Seek funding opportunities for educational programs, including grants and sponsorships
Collaboration and Partnerships:
  • Build relationships with community organizations, key stakeholders and other museums and museum associations
  • Collaborate with Auburn Valley State Park staff and with volunteers to enhance programs and events
Marketing and Promotion:
  • Create marketing strategies to promote exhibits, programs, and events
  • Manage social media (currently Facebook and Instagram) & select e-newsletters to reach target audiences
  • Create & implement print & digital advertising plan, including ad development/design oversight
Evaluation and Reporting:
  • Assess the effectiveness of programs and events
  • Prepare reports on program outcomes and impact
Staff and Volunteer Management:
  • Recruit, train, and supervise staff and volunteers involved in programming and events
  • Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment
Compliance and Best Practices:
  • Ensure all programs and events comply with relevant laws and regulations
  • Stay informed about best practices in the not-for-profit sector

This role includes other duties, as assigned, including assistance with fundraising activities, volunteer management and collections care efforts.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree, with advanced degree in History, Museum Studies, Museum Education, or related studies strongly preferred.
  • Minimum 4 years of museum experience involving public interaction and education, including developing interpretive programs and instructional materials; supervisory experience a plus.
  • Proven experience in supervisory and project management roles and strong planning, organizational and problem-solving skills as well as attention to detail.

Skills & Abilities:

  • Willingness to work on a flexible schedule and to travel throughout the local area (no overnight travel required) and to provide support for on-site events.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft products and ability to use web-based applications; Photoshop or Canva experience a plus.
  • Enthusiastic about Delaware history and about helping museumgoers make connections with objects and ideas from the early automotive age.
  • Superior public speaking, teaching and written communication skills.
  • Experience and affinity with working with young children (especially pre-K to grade 5).
  • Highly motivated and able to work both independently and collaboratively.
  • The ideal candidate will possess patience, persistence, flexibility, and a good sense of humor.

Roles & Requirements:

  • Work requires a variety of physical activities, including walking, climbing stairs, bending, and lifting up to 40 pounds (outreach supplies and event set-up!).
  • Must have own transportation and current valid driver’s license, especially for outreach programs and other off-site initiatives; a background check will also be required.

Compensation & Benefits:

  • This is a full-time, in-person (40 hours/week), exempt, benefits-eligible position, with schedule based on position responsibilities and assignments (periodic weekends & evenings required).
  • Starting salary $50,000 to $54,000
  • Benefits include, but are not limited to, major medical insurance (with option to buy into vision and dental plans), generous paid time off, including 11 holidays, vacation, personal, and sick time; Simple IRA with employer match for eligible employees.

How to apply:
Please submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@AuburnHeights.org with the subject line “Public Programs & Events Manager”; applications close April 18.

The Friends of Auburn Heights (FAH) is a nonprofit organization established in 2004 and dedicated to sparking discovery and creating lifelong memories. The Friends own and maintain the Marshall family’s extraordinary collection of antique automobiles along with 1/8-size live steam railroad, housed at the Marshall Steam Museum within the Auburn Valley State Park. FAH connects generations to foster excitement for Auburn Valley State Park, steam-era technology, and American life at the dawn of the automotive age.

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.