Type: Exempt, Fulltime (40 hours) 

Salary:  $63,000 (plus benefits – health insurance, retirement plan, short-term disability, paid time off with holidays). Performance bonuses are anticipated based on fundraising results.

Reports to:  Board of Trustees of the Finger Lakes Boating Museum (FLBM)

Finger Lakes Boating Museum is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation chartered by the New York State Education Department.  The FLBM is dedicated to preserving, educating, and celebrating the history of boating and boat building in the Finger Lakes region of New York State.

Workplace Setting: Hammondsport is located on the south end of Keuka Lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York.  Keuka Lake is widely known for its excellent boating, fishing, breathtaking scenery and many award-winning wineries.  Hammondsport was voted ‘The Coolest Small Town in America’.  The FLBM campus encompasses the buildings originally constructed by the Taylor Wine Company in 1886.

Application Instructions: Application deadline is June 1, 2026, by email only.  Submit cover letter and CV to president@flbm.org.  Start date is negotiable; but preferably by September 1. 

Overview: The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Trustees and is responsible for the leadership, management and administration of FLBM’s strategic plan and operations, in accordance with its mission and vision. Key duties include management of financial resources, fundraising and development, grants, community relations, leadership and management of staff and volunteers and associated activities.

Responsibilities: 

•       Partner with the Board of Trustees to develop and deploy strategic plans and initiatives.

•       Serve as the primary fundraiser and contact with potential donors. 

•       Function as the primary external and internal spokesperson in promoting the Museum.  Build key relationships with major donors, local/regional business leaders, local/state officials and committee chairs to solicit support and funding.

•       Manage financial resources to assure compliance with Finance Committee and Board approved budget.

•       Sustain and grow the organization’s grant monies.

•       Incumbent coordinates with the Board to lead all capital campaign initiatives.

•       Continue to expand the Museum’s social networking and marketing presence.

•       Manage the Museum staff and actively support and increase the number of critical volunteer associates.

•       Coordinate and oversee the museum maintenance activities to address short- and long-term facilities issues.

•       Oversee contract performance for projects on the FLBM campus.

Required Qualifications:

•       Educational Requirements - A Bachelor's degree is required with preference given to an advanced degree in a related field such as museum studies, education, marketing, or business, with at least three (3) years of senior level work experience in a comparable organization is strongly preferred.  

•       Excellent Communicator - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

•       Fundraising Skills - A demonstrated ability to leverage regional and local donors to secure unrestricted operating funds and proven track record in writing and obtaining appropriate grants of a local, state and federal nature which are needed to grow and maintain the FLBM.

•       Dynamic Leadership - Superior leadership and strategic thinking skills to advance Museum’s mission and vision.

•       Board Meeting Success - Experience working with nonprofit boards, committees and the public is essential. 

•       Museum knowledge, leadership and expertise - Working knowledge of museum operations; successful record of securing significant donations and leading a capital campaign; experience with volunteers; experience with an organization in transition.

Additional Requirements

•       Please provide 3 references with contact information that are familiar with your work and accomplishments.