Position Description

 The Executive Director is the senior executive of Greater Portland Landmarks. As an articulate spokesperson, s/he leads the community of Greater Portland in identifying, protecting, and revitalizing the historic structures, neighborhoods, landscapes, and parks that give the community its cherished character.  

The Executive Director builds effective and enduring partnerships with key stakeholders – including developers, architects, craftspeople, neighborhood organizations, political leaders, city administrators, education systems, and other nonprofits – that advance Landmarks’ strategic objectives. 

The Executive Director manages all activities of the organization, ensures its financial strength, and supervises its staff. In partnership with the Board of Trustees, s/he plans, directs, and evaluates the initiatives and programs that carry out Landmarks’ mission.

Qualifications

 The Executive Director must be a strategic thinker with strong leadership and management skills. S/he must:

•  Be knowledgeable of the broad range of issues related to historic preservation and nonprofit management

• Show proven success in fundraising and be able to articulate a vision that attracts investment throughout the community

• Be prepared to advocate publicly for strong preservation laws and programs

• Be a skillful builder of coalitions among individuals, businesses, and public and private organizations that promote Landmarks’ goals

• Have superior verbal and written communications skills with a range of audiences

• Understand legislative, administrative, and other public and private decision-making processes

• Have the ability to build and maintain strong Board relations

• Be able to perform competently as a manager of other senior staff

• Be able to create a climate of open communication and trust

An advanced degree in Historic Preservation, Urban Planning, Nonprofit Management, or related field is preferred.

A minimum of five years’ management experience is required.

Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Lead Landmarks by example, setting a standard of integrity, high energy, clear vision, sound decision-making, and passionate commitment to preserving and revitalizing Greater Portland’s remarkable legacy of historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes, and parks.

• Engage and educate members, city officials, and the public to identify and advocate for the protection of historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes, and parks. Inspire and lead the community to preserve its cherished character. Act as Landmarks’ principal spokesperson at public meetings and at other advocacy initiatives.

• Be an effective leader/collaborator with the Board of Trustees. Build involvement by developing relationships with individual Board members to energize and engage trustees in a meaningful and strategic manner.

• Create an organizational environment that supports the selection and development of a staff that is motivated and inspired to perform at the highest level.

 Fundraising:

•  In cooperation with the Board of Trustees, set financial goals and direct fundraising activities that ensure Landmarks’ ability to carry out its current mission and potentially to expand its organizational capacity.

• Cultivate and solicit major donors, foundations, business partners and government funders.

• Engage Board members in fundraising activities and donor solicitations.

• Seek earned income opportunities to provide sustainable income for Landmarks.

• Oversee the planning and execution of special events.

• Implement capital campaigns as directed by the Board.

 Management:

• Analyze appropriate staffing requirements for fulfillment of the organization’s goals and mission. Attract, hire, evaluate, and when necessary terminate staff.

• Lead the staff in developing and implementing annual operational plans with Board approval.

• Supervise and support the staff to ensure employees are meeting organizational goals as well as their individual professional goals.

• In cooperation with the Board Finance Committee, manage the organization’s finances.

• Oversee and direct the use, maintenance, and improvement of Safford House. Enhance Safford House as a working model of preservation in action and as an income-generating asset.

• Maintain and improve the Portland Observatory as an educational resource, a positive visitor experience, and as an income-generating asset.

Title: Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Trustees through Board President

Work Schedule: Full time, with flexibility to attend evening and weekend meetings and events

Salary: Competitive salary and benefits

Specific Location: Portland, Maine

To Apply: Please submit your cover letter describing your interest in the position and how your background and experience make you uniquely suited to achieve success in this role, resume, and a list of three reference names with their contact information between January 3rd and January 30th, 2019 to:

 Greater Portland Landmarks
Attn: Jane Batzell, Search Committee Chair
jobs@portlandlandmarks.org

 Application deadline: Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at 5:00 pm Eastern. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis beginning January 3, 2019. Questions? Please contact us at jobs@portlandlandmarks.org

For more information about the Greater Portland Landmarks Executive Director Search, visit www.portlandlandmarks.org/employment and please reference the following documents.

Greater Portland Landmarks Background Information

Greater Portland Landmarks Executive Director Position Description & Application Information

Greater Portland Landmarks 2019 Executive Director Search Press Release