President & COO

President & COONational Underground Railroad Freedom Center Cincinnati, Ohio

Title:

President & COO
Department:
Administration

Reports to:

Cincinnati Museum Center President & CEO and working in close partnership with the Freedom Center Board of Directors
Status:
Full-Time, Exempt

Salary: $200,000, commensurate with experience

Reporting to the CMC President & CEO and working in close partnership with the Freedom Center Board of Directors, the President and Chief Operating Officer (President & COO) will lead the Freedom Center through a critical period of institutional transformation - repositioning the organization for greater national relevance, long-term financial stability and sustainable growth. The President & COO is accountable for clarifying and advancing the Freedom Center’s strategic direction and distinctive value proposition, aligning mission, brand, partnerships, and the operating and revenue model to strengthen impact and organizational resilience.

A visionary, mission-driven, transformational leader with a commitment to cultural history, freedom, and social justice, the President & COO serves as the organization’s principal architect and steward of change. This leader will articulate and carry forward a compelling strategic vision—mobilizing people, resources, and partnerships to reposition the Freedom Center as a nationally significant institution and trusted voice. As the organization’s chief spokesperson, the President & COO builds confidence and credibility with internal and external stakeholders, represents the Freedom Center publicly, and navigates complex public and community issues with clarity and judgment.

The President & COO provides leadership and strategic direction across programs, facilities, education, and daily operations to ensure a safe, welcoming, high-quality visitor experience. The President & COO drives growth in contributed and earned revenue in partnership with the Board and the Department of Philanthropy, strengthens collaborative working relationships between Freedom Center and CMC teams, and leads staff in support of high-quality facilities and operations.

The President & COO also advises and equips the Board as its members embrace their roles as fundraisers, policymakers, and community ambassadors.

Regional and national travel is required.

The President & COO reports to CMC President & CEO for day-to-day management, performance evaluation, and organizational alignment.

The President & COO works in close partnership with the Freedom Center Board of Directors, ensuring the Board has timely information and support to fulfill its governance, policy, oversight, fundraising, and ambassador responsibilities.

The President & COO maintains appropriate decision-making boundaries—leading day-to-day operations while partnering with Board leadership on strategic direction, priorities, and accountability.

• Lead or refresh an inclusive strategic planning process that results in clear priorities, measurable goals, and an actionable implementation plan.
• Fundraising and donor cultivation.
• Strengthen operational excellence and a consistently outstanding, safe, and welcoming visitor experience.
• Deliver strong financial management, including budget planning, monitoring, and disciplined reporting.
• Advance contributed and earned revenue strategies by aligning Board and staff around clear goals, messaging, and stakeholder engagement. This includes business development opportunities (strategic sponsor ships, partnerships, and earned-income innovation).
• Clarify and strengthen cross-organizational collaboration between Freedom Center and CMC teams, including processes, roles, and shared services where applicable.
• Develop and begin executing a digital strategy that expands national reach and audience engagement through digital learning, content, communications, and data-informed decision-making.

Lead an inclusive strategic planning process that sets a compelling long-term direction and translates vision into…