Executive Director | Marietta Cobb Museum of Art
Marietta Cobb Museum of Art
Marietta, GA 30060
$80,000 - $120,000 a year
Job type: Full-time
Benefits; Paid time off
Full job description
Executive Director
Marietta Cobb Museum of Art | Atlanta Metropolitan Area
Position Overview
The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive and artistic-administrative leader of the Museum, providing strategic vision, operational leadership, and community-facing representation. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for advancing the Museum's mission, ensuring financial sustainability, deepening community engagement, and elevating the Museum’s regional profile.
The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, is the only fine arts museum in metropolitan Atlanta focused on American art, with a permanent collection spanning the 18th century to the present. Guided by its commitment to “building community through art,” the Museum brings together exhibitions, education, and cultural programming to engage audiences throughout the region.
With an annual operating budget of approximately $1.2 million and a flagship community weekend art event that attracts more than 80,000 visitors annually, the Executive Director must be a dynamic, externally focused leader with demonstrated success in fundraising, development, and relationship-building across diverse constituencies.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Vision
Partner with the Board of Directors to develop, implement, and periodically update a long-range strategic plan aligned with the Museum's mission and long-term sustainability.
Lead organizational planning that balances artistic integrity, community relevance, and financial health.
Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the Museum locally, regionally, and nationally.
Collections & Exhibitions
Ensure proper stewardship, conservation, documentation, and interpretation of the permanent collection in accordance with AAM and professional museum ethics and best practices.
Oversee a dynamic exhibition program — encompassing temporary exhibitions and rotations of the permanent collection — that maintains scholarly integrity, artistic quality, and broad audience relevance.
Support acquisitions, loans, and deaccessioning in accordance with the Museum's collections policy and best practices.
Work with curatorial staff and/or consultants to plan and schedule exhibitions that align with the Museum's mission and community interests.
Education & Public Programs
Oversee the development of education and public programs — including studio art classes, art camps, and workshops, as well as school partnerships, docent-led tours, artist talks, workshops, and family programming — that broaden access to the arts.
Ensure programming reflects the Museum's commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and lifelong learning across a diverse community.
Development & Fundraising
Collaborates with the Director of Development to increase fundraising efforts, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, government funding, and special events.
Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, funders, civic leaders, and community partners.
Support and engage the Board in fundraising activities, providing tools, strategy, and accountability.
Oversee grant strategy, writing, and reporting in collaboration with staff and consultants.
Grow and diversify the Museum's membership program as both a revenue stream and a community-engagement tool.
Financial & Operational Management
Oversee a $1.2 million annual operating budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency, and sustainability.
Manage day-to-day operations, policies, and procedures to ensure effective and efficient organizational performance.
Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards for nonprofit organizations.
Supervise and support staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.
Community Engagement & Visibility
Maintain a strong, visible presence in the Atlanta arts, cultural, and civic communities.
Strengthen the Museum's role as a community hub through partnerships with artists, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and local government.
Provide executive leadership for the Museum's signature community weekend art event, which draws approximately 80,000 visitors annually, ensuring its artistic quality, financial success, and operational excellence.
Champion equity, access, and inclusion in programming, partnerships, and institutional practices.
Board Relations & Governance
Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, keeping members informed and engaged.
Support board development, recruitment, orientation, and governance best practices.
Collaborate with the Board on policy development, strategic initiatives, and organizational evaluation.
Qualifications & Experience
Minimum of 5–7 years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, arts, museum, or other mission-driven organization.
Demonstrated success in development and fundraising, including major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and institutional/grant funding.
Experience working with a permanent collection, including collections care, stewardship, and exhibition planning.
Strong financial acumen, with full fiscal management experience and demonstrated ability to develop and oversee organizational budgets.
Knowledge of museum best practices and professional standards, including AAM and AAMD standards of practice.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
Deep commitment to community engagement, education, and public-facing leadership.
Knowledge of the Atlanta arts, cultural, and philanthropic landscape strongly preferred.
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in arts administration, museum studies, art history, or nonprofit management preferred.
Personal Attributes
Visionary, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leadership style
Comfortable as a public figure and relationship-builder
Passion for the arts and belief in their civic and social impact
Strategic thinker with strong execution skills
High integrity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence
The Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. The Museum is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment, and to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the community it serves. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants and employees with disabilities upon request.
Work Location: In person
