Executive Director, St. Lawrence County Center for History & Culture
About the role
The St. Lawrence County Historical Association, DBA the St. Lawrence County Center for History & Culture, seeks an experienced, forward-thinking administrator to serve as Executive Director. Founded in 1947, and permanently chartered in 1955, the St. Lawrence County Historical Association (SLCHA) researches, collects, preserves, and interprets the history of St. Lawrence County.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the official spokesperson for the SLCHA
- Hire, train and supervise a current staff of four as well as museum volunteers and interns
- Advance development through fundraising events, membership growth and retention, and solicitation of gifts
- Maintain community partnerships and relationships with local colleges
- Apply for grants from New York State and local governments, area foundations, federal agencies, and other organizations
- Work with staff and board to determine yearly schedule & oversee logistics of all fundraisers, exhibitions and events
- Work with technology consultants and staff to maintain and create content for the SLCHA website and social media pages & resolve all printer/phone/computer server issues
- Work with contracted exhibit consultant, volunteers, students and other professional organizations to update exhibits regularly/annually
- Program planning and development of public programming using historical collections, including tours, lectures, hands-on workshops and off-site programs
- Oversee the operation of the Archives and Research Room including overseeing the care and preservation of a permanent collection of over 200,000 3D objects and archival artifacts and a small public research room
- Plan and implement the Annual Membership Meeting in November
- Oversee facility management, including building maintenance and improvements including the historic garden
- Cook up the preparation of The Wright House newsletter
- Prepare agenda and compile and distribute board packet for the monthly board meetings
- Work with the Board of Trustees to develop and manage the museum’s budget
- Prepare financial information for annual accounting review
- Prepare and report bi-weekly payroll
- Assure compliance with the New York State Non-Profit Revitalization Act and other state laws and keep policies and procedures up to date
- Review and manage updates to the SLCHA’s Strategic Plan
Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in public administration, history, museum studies, or a humanities related field, master’s degree strongly preferred, plus, a minimum of 3 years managing a not-for-profit organization ideally in a museum, historic site, or arts/cultural organization.
- Knowledge of St. Lawrence County history and government is a plus.
Qualifications
- Understanding of non-profit funding sources available in New York State
- Successful supervision of staff, volunteers, and interns
- Advanced knowledge of PC based computer systems and technology, including MS Office Suite
- Working knowledge of QuickBooks or similar financial software
- Working knowledge of donor management and collections management software
- Recognizing the oversight role of the Board of Directors and faithfully implementing policies and directives of the Board.
Skills
- Program planning and development of historical collections and programming
Benefits
Salary range: $66,000- $70,000, based on education and experience. Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave. 2% employer contribution to IRA after the employee has earned $5,000. Employer-sponsored health insurance plan available after 90-day probationary period with employer paying 75% of the premium.
Pay
Salary range: $66,000- $70,000, based on education and experience.
Schedule
Full time and exempt; some evening and weekend work should be expected.
Contact Information
To apply, send resume/cv, cover letter and contact information for 3 references to Cheryl L. Shenkle-O’Neill, Chair, Search Committee, SLCHA, P. O. Box 8, Canton, NY 13617 or via email to director@slcha.org by midnight, September 21, 2026.