Job Description

 

Job Summary: The President & Executive Director of the Louisiana Art & Science Museum (LASM) is responsible for implementing the overall strategic planning and vision, sustainable financial management, personnel administration, fundraising, program development, and community relations for the interdisciplinary museum. The President & Executive Director will report to the museum’s Board of Trustees and will supervise multiple museum departments.

LASM seeks an experienced, creative, and collaborative leader who will be deeply invested in the museum’s interdisciplinary mission and programs, is able to cultivate current relationships and build new partnerships, is committed to providing educational opportunities that enrich the lives of all people, and has a demonstrated history of fostering a positive work culture that leads to organizational success. As the primary spokesperson for the museum in the community, LASM's President & Executive Director must also be an articulate, professional, and effective communicator.

The ideal candidate for this position has extensive knowledge of nonprofit best practices and experience successfully leading an organization, with specialized knowledge of museum or cultural institution best practices preferred. LASM’s incoming President & Executive Director will be tasked with nurturing, maximizing, and expanding the organization’s current resources – including its dedicated network of community partners and its talented workforce – to best serve the museum’s diverse constituents.

Experience, Skills, and Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. An educational background in nonprofit or arts administration, education, the arts, the sciences, education, communications, or a related field is required.
• 5+ years of organizational leadership experience – either as an Executive Director or in a leadership position directing a significant department, including personnel supervisory and budgeting responsibilities – is required, with nonprofit museum (art, science, children’s, or interdisciplinary) leadership preferred.
• Experience recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, mentoring, and evaluating personnel is required; knowledge of human resource policies and mediation skills are preferred.
• Financial management and budgeting experience is required; experience with nonprofit audit processes is preferred.
• Fundraising experience and skills required; capital campaign management, grants management (governmental, corporate, foundation, etc.), individual giving, and planned giving experience is preferred.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as public speaking skills, are required.
• Computer proficiency, particularly with the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), is required.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Administration and Operations

• Assesses, develops, and implements the museum’s strategic plan and vision in collaboration with the Board of Trustees; develops museum policies and procedures to ensure continued accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, with LASM’s re-accreditation process upcoming in 2025
• Oversees staff development of the museum’s interdisciplinary programs, changing and permanent exhibitions, and Irene W. Pennington Planetarium shows; ensures proper staff management, conservation, and growth of the museum’s permanent collection of over 4,000 objects
• Responsible for the overall financial management of the museum, creating and adhering to a board-approved annual budget; serves as an excellent steward of museum funds while expanding current and developing new revenue streams in collaboration with the staff and Board of Trustees
• Oversees strategic capital campaigns and renovation projects in collaboration with the staff and Board of Trustees

Staff and Board Development

• Recruits, hires, trains, supervises, mentors, and evaluates staff members; fosters a positive and collaborative work culture built on trust, respect, and support
• Oversees the day-to-day operations and administration of the museum, ensuring staff adherence to and respect for museum policies and procedures; provides resources, guidance, and mentorship for staff members while empowering them in their areas of responsibility
• Works in close collaboration with the Board of Trustees, effectively communicating the museum’s successes, challenges, and needs; encourages active board participation by providing opportunities for engagement through committee participation, fundraising, advocacy, and volunteering

Community Relations and Fundraising

• Serves as the chief spokesperson for the museum and actively leads the museum’s major fundraising efforts, including individual, planned, foundation, corporate, and government giving, in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and staff
• Cultivates existing and builds new relationships with community partners, donors, and professional organizations; nurtures relationships with East Baton Rouge City-Parish leadership to ensure continued financial support and maintenance of the museum’s city-owned historic building as well as relationships with other governmental officials
• Maintains a strong public presence within the community, strengthening relationships and networking for the benefit of the museum; encourages and supports staff engagement in professional development activities

About the Louisiana Art & Science Museum (LASM):

Founded in 1962, LASM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit museum with an annual operating budget of approximately $2,500,000, an annual attendance of approximately 50,000 visitors, and a dedicated staff of approximately 17 full-time and 19 part-time employees.

Housed in a historic 1925 train station on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana, LASM is the only museum dedicated to the disciplines of both art and science in the region. LASM’s 171-seat Irene W. Pennington Planetarium is the largest and most technologically advanced planetarium in Louisiana and is among the largest planetariums in the southeastern United States. On display throughout the museum is a selection of LASM’s over 4,000 permanent collection objects. LASM’s numerous educational, entertaining, and unique programs foster an inclusive museum environment that embraces diverse audiences.

LASM’s Mission: We seek to enhance the understanding and appreciation of art and science for general audiences and students by presenting unique, educational and entertaining experiences that encourage discovery, inspire creativity, and foster the pursuit of knowledge.

LASM’s Vision: We envision a community of lifelong explorers inspired by art and science.

LASM’s Big Idea: Art and Science shape and inform each other, our lives, and the world.

Salary and Benefits:

A competitive salary commensurate with experience will be offered, starting at $130,000. LASM offers medical insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, eye insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and 401(k) matching up to 3%. LASM offers generous vacation and sick leave policies.

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should email their resume or CV, cover letter, and at least 3 professional references with contact information to search@lasm.orgby December 20, 2023. References will not be contacted without prior permission of the applicant. LASM is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

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