Charlotte Museum of History – Chief Administrative Officer

Reports To: President and CEO

Directly Supervises: Visitor Services Manager, Development Officer, Private Events Manager

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

The Chief Administrative Officer serves as a strategic partner to the President & CEO, balancing leadership of internal operations with coordination of advancement activities. This senior executive ensures the Museum’s daily functions run efficiently, strengthens organizational systems and culture, and supports the development of diversified revenue streams. This role is central to CMH’s future — strengthening the institutional infrastructure that supports daily excellence while advancing revenue and partnerships that enable transformative growth. The CAO will play a defining role in shaping how CMH operates internally and how it engages supporters as the Museum enters a pivotal stage of expansion.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Leadership & Administration (70%)

• ·       Provide executive leadership and oversight for CMH’s day-to-day operations, including administration, facilities, visitor services, and fundraising.
• ·       Develop, refine, and implement operational policy, procedures, and best practices that strengthen efficiency, internal clarity, and institutional resilience.
• ·       Oversee operational planning and execution across museum sites and functions, ensuring authentic, high-quality visitor experiences that reflect CMH’s mission and values.
• ·       Lead cross-departmental coordination and communication, modeling partnership with curatorial, education, finance, marketing, and advancement teams to align goals and priorities.
• ·       Champion efforts to build a positive, inclusive organizational culture, including staff development, performance management, and structured internal workflows.
• ·       Support the President & CEO in strategic planning and institutional decision-making by providing operational insights, metrics, and organizational forecasts.
• ·       Represent the Museum internally and externally as appropriate to execute institutional priorities.

Advancement & Revenue Growth (30%)

• ·       Collaborate with the President & CEO to implement advancement strategies that support annual fundraising goals, diversified revenue streams, and institutional sustainability.
• ·       Contribute to major gift cultivation, corporate partnership development, foundation and government grant strategy, and stewardship activities.
• ·       Support planning and execution of special events, including signature donor engagement events that advance visibility and philanthropic support.
• ·       Partner with marketing and communications to ensure effective, mission-aligned messaging that enhances donor engagement and public support.
• ·       Track and report on advancement metrics, donor pipeline progress, and revenue performance, contributing to leadership and Board reporting processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

• ·       10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit management, museum operations, cultural institutions, or comparable environments.
• ·       Proven operational leadership and administrative expertise with a demonstrated ability to build systems, manage complex projects, and lead staff teams.
• ·       Demonstrated experience in advancement functions including fundraising, major gifts support, donor stewardship, partnership cultivation, or sponsorship engagement.
• ·       Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills; ability to translate strategy into effective execution.
• ·       Excellent communication skills with comfort representing the organization to donors, community partners, municipal stakeholders, and the public.
• ·       Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community engagement within institutional practice and culture.
• ·       Experience with capital campaign support and long-range institutional planning is a strong plus.

WHAT WE OFFER

• ·       Starting salary of $100,000.
• ·       Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability, and pet insurance benefits.
• ·       Generous PTO policy.
• ·       Free parking.
• ·       Flexibility for hybrid work schedule.
• ·       Professional development opportunities including professional organization membership dues payment. 

If you are interested in this position, please email a cover letter outlining your qualifications and resume to admin@charlottemuseum.org. We will accept applications until the position is filled. No calls, pop-up visits, or direct messages to staff via email or social media, please.

It is the Charlotte Museum of History’s policy to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in any condition of employment because of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender dysphoria, citizenship status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.