We’re Looking for a Founding Executive Director !

The Borscht Belt Museum is seeking an ambitious museum professional to
take a volunteer-run community institution to the next level.

Read more below.

The Opportunity
The Borscht Belt Museum, a four-year-old, volunteer-run cultural institution, is embarking on a
transformative journey to evolve into a self-sustaining, professional, and nationally respected
museum. 

We are seeking our Founding Executive Director — a visionary and dynamic leader willing to
pour themselves into the demanding yet highly rewarding work of taking a grassroots
community institution to the next level. This role is uniquely tailored to an experienced, creative,
and driven museum professional who thrives in a startup environment and possesses the
strategic mindset to guide a young organization to its next critical phase.

Key Responsibilities
Organizational Leadership: Lead the transition from a volunteer-driven startup to a
professionally managed, self-sustaining cultural institution. Work closely and collaboratively with a hands-on Board of Directors and execute the museum's strategic vision.

Operations Management: Oversee museum operations, including part-time staff and
contractors, and develop internal policies and procedures, build and manage budgets, and
ensure financial sustainability and operational excellence.

Curatorial Oversight: Oversee the museum’s collections manager and curatorial/programmatic
initiatives. Working with curatorial professionals, help conceptualize and implement future
exhibitions, interpretive strategies, and collecting activities.

Community Engagement & Volunteer Coordination: As the public face of the museum, forge
strong ties and represent the museum to the Ellenville community, Ulster County, local
businesses, and cultural partners. 

Fundraising & Development: Working in concert with the Board, the successful candidate will assume
comprehensive fundraising responsibilities, including grants, membership, donor pipeline, and
cultivation of major donors.
Capital Campaign Project: The executive director will play a strong role in our planned
2027-2029 capital campaign and building project, alongside an active board and possible
consultant.

Qualifications

Museum professional with at least 5 years of history and culture leadership experience. Experience
building an organization or department from the ground up is highly desirable. So, too, is
passion for public history, cultural preservation.
Project Management Proven ability to oversee complex projects; experience managing
renovations or capital development projects is a distinct advantage.
Interpersonal Skills Exceptional ability to collaborate with a hands-on Board of Directors, inspire
volunteers, and engage diverse community stakeholders. Excellent written and oral communication skills. A sense of humor is a must.

Fundraising Experience Demonstrated success in fundraising, including grant writing,
institutional giving, and major donor cultivation. Experience launching and/or running a
membership program is highly desirable.

Range $95K–$120K, commensurate with experience
Benefits

Paid Holidays and 20 days PTO; Health insurance or stipend.
This is a hybrid position with significant on-site and regional work expected.
The ideal candidate would live in the Catskills/Hudson Valley region or have plans to relocate.

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter outlining their relevant experience,
and contact info for three professional references to info@borschtbeltmuseum.org.