The Home Port Alliance for the USS New Jersey Museum and Memorial is seeking a dynamic leader for its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Home Port Alliance (HPA) is responsible for the restoration and management of the Battleship New Jersey (the USS New Jersey (BB-62), our nation's largest and most decorated Battleship. The HPA is a private nonprofit corporation governed by a 19-member Board of Trustees that serve as the stewards for the Battleship’s perpetual care and operation. As a 501(c)(3) organization, a museum, and a memorial, the Battleship New Jersey is a unique blend of history, education, entertainment, and hospitality. Guests of all ages and interests enjoy their visits to this floating U.S. Navy museum, which earned distinction in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East. The Battleship is among the can’t-miss U.S. Navy museum ships open to the public today. See detailed history here: https://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/the-ship/full-history/.

Visitation is about 80,000 guests per year, consisting of approximately 50,000 daytime visitors, 10,000 school students on guided tours, 10,000 scouts participating in the encampment program, and 10,000 guests at events that are held on board the ship. The Battleship has an annual operating budget of $15 million and currently employs 70 full-time and part-time staff, plus approximately 7,500 hours donated by active volunteers. Volunteer services include lecturer, librarian, historical researcher, restoration specialist, maintenance, radio club, clerical support, and tour guide.

"The mission of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial is to restore, preserve, and exhibit the continuing history of the USS New Jersey and those who worked and served on her so their service will continue to educate and inspire future generations.”

JOB SUMMARY

The primary responsibilities of the CEO are to ensure that the Battleship fulfills its mission by serving as a leader of staff and volunteers, maintaining it as a source and site for community engagement, and leading marketing and fundraising efforts. The CEO will be the face of the Battleship with excellent public speaking skills and a forward-facing attitude.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Battleship is currently being prepared for a short journey to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, just a few miles from its current location in Camden. The ship will be towed to the dry dock where it will be taken out of the water. The priority for this project is to remove the marine growth on the hull, repaint the hull, inspect the through-hull openings and other sensitive areas, and replace the anodes used for cathodic protection. This project will take approximately eight weeks. The new CEO will have the unique opportunity to join the organization as the leader of this newly refreshed ship. The Battleship New Jersey has already received five million dollars for the dry-dock project from the New Jersey Historical Commission. There is an opportunity for a dynamic, sophisticated leader and fundraiser to secure the balance of the funds needed for the dry-dock project and other initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The CEO will be responsible for the following:

• ·         Leading the operations and curation of the Battleship and Museum.
• ·         Creating and managing the annual budget, ensuring financial sustainability and responsibility for resource allocation.
• ·         Developing and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders, including city and county officials, state legislators, and donors.
• ·         Finding and meeting donors and building business relationships.
• ·         Developing a strategic plan, working with trustees, staff, volunteers and partners.
• ·         Developing and maintaining a trusting and effective relationship with the Board and Ex-Officio and Honorary Trustees by providing support to board committees, attending board meetings and facilitating strategic discussions.
• ·         Collaborating and inspiring accountability among all members of the staff.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• ·         Business and budget-management experience.
• ·         An understanding of public policy, public administration and local government.
• ·         High emotional intelligence and talent for relationship management.
• ·         Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the Camden/Philadelphia area and be a proponent of outreach to the community.
• ·         Digitally competent with a basic knowledge of database management is desirable.
• ·         A strong communicator and morale-builder who fosters collaborative relationships among staff. Team building and conflict-resolution skills that result in a positive team environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in History, Public or Business Administration, or a discipline related to one of the ship’s areas of operation, or a combination of education and equivalent experience.
• Knowledge and passion for history, especially battleship or maritime history.
• At least five years of professional leadership experience in increasing roles of responsibility at a museum or nonprofit organization.
• Leadership and organizational skills and a track record of successfully hiring, developing and mentoring staff.
• Demonstrated experience growing an institution’s financial base. A record of fundraising success that may include cultivating relationships with private donors, foundations, governmental entities, and other funding sources, and/or fundraising for endowment and operations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with visitors, donors, volunteers, and community members.
• Demonstrated experience increasing visitor traffic.
• Financial management skills and demonstrated success with operational budgeting and reporting, multi-stream revenue development, and preferably, with long-term financial planning.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and adapt to changing situations.
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Research shows that women and individuals from under-represented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

COMPENSATION

The salary range is $175,000 - $205,000 commensurate with experience, plus an attractive benefits package that includes group health insurance, group life insurance, a 401(k) savings plan, paid holidays, sick and personal days and vacation.

HOW TO APPLY

Send the following materials to Ida Tomlin, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference, to SearchandRef@museum-search.com:

• 1.    A cover letter expressing interest in this position, giving brief examples of past experiences and salary requirements.
• 2.    A detailed résumé or curriculum vitae.
• 3.    The names and contact information of at least three references and your professional relationship.

For full details, visit www.museum-search.com/open-searches/.  Application deadline is March 22, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. References will not be contacted without prior permission of the applicant.
Nominations and inquiries are welcome.

The HPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or preference, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

ABOUT CAMDEN, NJ

Camden is located directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, PA, which is the nation’s sixth most populous city. In 2023, Camden had a population of 72,000.

The Camden Waterfront holds three tourist attractions: the Battleship New Jersey; the Freedom Mortgage Concert Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater and fully enclosed theater offering major concerts, Broadway productions and family entertainment; and the Adventure Aquarium, home to the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast.

The city of Camden is the home of Rutgers University–Camden, and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. Camden also houses both Cooper University Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center. Camden County College and Rowan University also have campuses in downtown Camden. Camden’s largest employers include Campbell Soup Company and Subaru of America. The Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex, located in downtown Camden, includes an office building, a basketball facility with two regulation size basketball courts, a locker room, and a roof deck.

Camden is a 15-minute drive across the Delaware River from the Philadelphia International Airport. The Port Authority Transit Corporation, PATCO Speedline, offers frequent train service to Philadelphia and to the east in Camden County. Atlantic City is a one-hour drive.