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, jobs@auburnheights.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.
Operations and Volunteer Manager
- Manage day-to-day operations of FAH facilities (museum, carriage house, shops) for events, programming and staff workspace
- Develop and implement operational policies and procedures (not collection related)
- Develop and monitor with the Executive Director an operational and maintenance budget
- Coordinate emergency preparedness and response plans
- Recruit, train, and supervise FAH volunteers involved with events, facilities management and other site activities
- Schedule museum staffing in collaboration with Director of Public Programs
- Collaborate with the Collections Committee to provide support to volunteers involved in the operation and maintenance of the collections
- Provide scheduling and management of FAH event volunteers (in collaboration with the Events Committee)
- Coordinate event logistics for events, including setup and breakdown
- Ensure that the facilities are prepared and equipped for safe public use
- Collaborate with the Public Programs Manager to address feedback from visitors to improve facilities and services
- Collaborate with AVSP staff regarding maintenance of facilities and grounds occupied by FAH (museum, carriage house, shops, railroad right of way)
- Ensure compliance of FAH facilities with safety regulations and building codes
- Oversee vendors providing custodial services and repair of utilities, security systems and equipment in FAH facilities
- Preferred: Bachelor’s degree
- Proven experience working with non-profit volunteers.
- Proven experience organizing and leading work teams
- Proven experience with project management and event planning
- 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 Office products.
- Highly motivated and able to work both independently and collaboratively.
- Marketing and social media experience a plus.
- Superior public speaking, teaching and written communication skills.
- Work requires a variety of physical activities, including walking, bending, and lifting up to 40 pounds (tables, chairs, etc.).
- Must have own transportation and current valid driver’s license; a background check will also be required.
- The ideal candidate will possess patience, persistence, flexibility, and a good sense of humor.
About the Organization
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.