Executive Director

OMNI is honored to be retained by Missouri Humanities in their search for an exceptional Executive Director to lead the organization. The Executive Director will be a collaborative and creative leader with an established humanities background — that will spearhead the organization as it pursues its key priorities: innovative programming, expanded connections, operational effectiveness, and expanded support for cultural community partners.

Missouri Humanities is a state-wide nonprofit that explores history, civics, and culture through community partnerships and public programming. Founded in 1971, Missouri Humanities is the National Endowment for the Humanities’ state affiliate and operates as an independent nonprofit with a remit to support the public humanities at a local level. It has a 9‑person staff and is governed by a fourteen‑member volunteer board comprised of business, civic, academic, and philanthropic leaders.

It has an annual operating budget of $2 million and is funded through state and federal awards, foundations, and individual donors. In accordance with its mission, MH provides public humanities programming and community partnerships, including grant funding, to eligible nonprofits to advance public humanities programs across Missouri.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will work closely with the Board, staff, and key stakeholders to engage the public with compelling, inclusive and relevant humanities‑based programs. The Board will partner with the new executive director on key priorities of becoming a more diverse and high‑performing organization and engaging an increasingly diverse constituency in high‑quality humanities experiences, especially in rural communities underrepresented by the humanities.

As chief spokesperson, advocate, and partnership builder, the Executive Director will grow the organization’s presence across the state, in the media, among scholars and academics, and through key partnerships. They will form strong relationships with major donors, the state, and local and federal agencies to sustain current revenue streams. In addition, they will cultivate cross‑functionality amongst the staff in developing new fundraising strategies that diversify revenue, steward donors, and increase unrestricted funds.

• In collaboration with the Board, staff, and stakeholders, the Executive Director will craft a bold vision for the role of the humanities in Missouri and refine and update the strategic plan to reflect communities’ needs.
• Hire and develop staff who have the expertise, skills, and capacity to operate the organization and administer programs and grants with a high degree of professionalism, intellectual rigor, and creativity.
• Manage finances with Board oversight. Prepare budgets and track expenses. Oversee timely and accurate financial statements, funder reports, and cash flow projections.
• Supervise administration, including contractor and vendor relationships. Ensure conformity to bylaws, nonprofit best practices, and local and federal laws and regulations.
• Set fundraising strategy with development staff and key board members to significantly increase support from individuals, corporations, and institutional funders.
• Serve as chief spokesperson, representing MH to a broad constituency of local, state, and federal governments, funders, community groups, schools, and the media.
• Develop innovative strategies that use grants and programs to prioritize and reflect a strong commitment to the humanities.
• Work with the Board to achieve good governance practices, grow financial resources, and recruit and onboard new members.

The ideal candidate will possess an educational background in a humanities or public humanities discipline; have a demonstrated ability to advocate for the humanities’ value and importance in public life; and will bring vision, integrity, skill, flexibility, and collaboration to this role. Core competencies include:

• A clear knowledge of and passion for the humanities
• Master’s degree or above in a humanities discipline preferred.
• At least 5 years of executive‑level leadership in a cultural organization or humanities…