Executive Director

Villa Terrace Museum & Gardens seeks an experienced, mission-driven Executive Director to lead the organization's artistic, operational, and financial future. Housed in a landmark Mediterranean-style villa overlooking Lake Michigan, Villa Terrace combines historic house museum stewardship, decorative arts collections and exhibitions, formal gardens, and public programming. The Executive Director serves as the organization's chief executive, reporting to and working closely with the Board of Directors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Partner with the Board to set and execute the organization's vision,

strategic plan, and annual goals.

– Translate strategic priorities into operating plans, staff assignments, and measurable outcomes.

• Fundraising & Development: Lead all fundraising activities, including individual giving, major

gifts, grants, sponsorships, and special events.

– Cultivate and steward donor and funder relationships personally,

– Identify and pursue grant opportunities (state and federal historic preservation, arts council,

foundation).

• Financial Management: Own the annual budget, monthly financial monitoring, and long-range

financial planning.

– Work with the Treasurer/Finance Committee and outside accountant on budgeting, cash flow, and

audit/990 preparation.

– Ensure sound internal controls and compliance with nonprofit financial reporting requirements.

• Board Relations & Governance: Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board and its committees.

– Support board recruitment, orientation, and engagement; prepare board materials and reporting.

• Collections, Exhibitions & Programming: Oversee curatorial direction, exhibition planning, and

educational/public programming.

– Ensure appropriate collections care, historic preservation standards, and interpretive quality.

• Operations & Facilities: Oversee day-to-day operations, visitor experience, retail/rental revenue,

vendor management, and the historic building and gardens.

• Staff Leadership: Develop and enhance organization chart, hire, supervise, and develop staff and

volunteers; Set a positive, accountable organizational culture.

• Community & External Relations: Represent Villa Terrace to donors, members, civic and cultural

partners, and the television, online, and print media.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree arts/nonprofit administration, museum studies, history, or a related field preferred.

• Proven experience in facility administration, operation, and vendor relationship management.

• Minimum 5–7 years of senior nonprofit leadership experience, ideally in a museum, historic site, or

arts/cultural organization.