Executive Director
Position Summary
The Executive Director offers a unique opportunity to lead the development of a transformative community asset that will enrich the lives of children and families for generations to come. The Children’s Discovery Center is more than a children’s museum—it is a community investment designed to inspire curiosity, strengthen education, support families, and contribute to the region’s vitality.
The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management for the development of the Children’s Discovery Center, an emerging children’s museum. This position will bring the Center’s vision to life by coordinating planning efforts, supporting fundraising initiatives, developing community partnerships, establishing operational systems, and building the organizational capacity needed for long-term sustainability and growth.
This foundational leadership role will guide the museum from development toward operational readiness, preparing the organization for public opening while establishing the programs, systems, and infrastructure needed for long-term success. The ideal candidate brings vision, collaboration, entrepreneurial thinking, adaptability, and strong project, financial, and operational management skills.
Build Something That Matters
It is an opportunity to help shape the future of an entire region.
- Launching a new children’s museum designed to serve generations of children and families.
- Partnering with the Board to establish a premier destination for play, education, and lifelong learning.
- Supporting regional economic development and community vitality.
- Building a mission-driven organization recognized as a trusted educational and community resource.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, finance, or a related field.
- Leadership experience in nonprofit management, project management, museums, community development, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
- Experience with fundraising, grant writing, donor stewardship, capital campaigns, and financial management.
- Experience collaborating with nonprofit boards, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
- Knowledge of children's museums, informal learning environments, educational programming, or play-based learning is preferred.
Ideal Candidate
- Strategic, collaborative leader who translates vision into action.
- Takes initiative, demonstrates accountability, and works independently while advancing organizational goals.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and competing demands.
- Strong communicator with excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and public speaking skills.
- Builds trusted relationships with Board members, volunteers, community partners, and stakeholders.
- Demonstrates adaptability, problem-solving skills, and the ability to create systems and processes in a growing organization.
- Passionate about children’s education, family engagement, and meaningful opportunities for children and families, with an appreciation for the unique strengths and needs of rural communities.
- Detail-oriented and proficient with Google Workspace and other common office technology.
Startup Environment & Leadership Partnership
As a startup organization, the museum is currently operated by a highly engaged volunteer Board of Directors who are actively leading fundraising, planning, community partnerships, and project development. During the initial months, the Executive Director will work closely with the Board to understand the organization’s history, relationships, and current initiatives. This collaborative onboarding period will support a thoughtful transition of operational leadership, with increasing responsibility for day-to-day management, implementation of board-approved strategy, and organizational development.
Working Conditions
This position requires a flexible, hands-on approach and the ability to work across a variety of settings as the museum develops. The Executive Director will primarily work during daytime business hours and must be available to attend scheduled in-person and virtual meetings with the Board of Directors, consultants, community partners, and stakeholders.The role will include a combination of remote work, office-based work, and on-site presence as needed.
This position may require occasional evening and weekend meetings, events, community engagement activities, and local travel. The Executive Director should be comfortable managing multiple priorities, adapting to changing circumstances, and working in a fast-paced startup environment where systems, processes, and facilities are continually being developed and refined.
Compensation
This is a full-time position with an expected average schedule of approximately 40 hours per week. The starting salary is $60,000, with the final salary offer determined at the time of hire based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The museum is committed to creating an inclusive environment and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our organization and enhance our ability to serve children, families, and the community.
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt (Salaried)
Reports to: Board of Directors
To Apply:
Please submit application materials to
- Letter of Interest
- Resume
- Application
- Letters of Reference
Application Deadline August 28, 2026.
Expected Timeline
Applications Due August 28, 2026
Interviews will be conducted in early to mid-September
The Children’s Discovery Center reserves the right to continue accepting applications until the position is filled.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
