Director of Public History

Location: St. Louis

One of the largest , oldest, and most-visited historical societies in the country, the Missouri Historical Society is in the midst of a transformative decade focused on sharing more history with more people than ever before through major new initiatives, including a 12,000-square-foot St. Louis history gallery opening in 2028, expanded programs and education efforts, new communications strategies, and new visitor-centered spaces.

At this important moment for MHS and for St. Louis, we seek a Director of Public History to lead a team of public historians and provide strategic direction for storytelling across exhibits, programs, media, partnerships, and emerging public-facing initiatives. The successful candidate will be an accomplished storyteller, collaborative leader, and creative thinker who is excited to help define and grow a new role as MHS innovates, evolves, and expands its public profile.

Essential Functions:

Leads a team of public historians, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and professional growth. This team does some of the Missouri Historical Society’s most visible and diversified storytelling about St. Louis through exhibits, programming, tours, public appearances, social media features, and broadcast media spots.

Provides strategic oversight for content development in collaboration with the Directors of Exhibitions and Curatorial Affairs, helping ensure storytelling is compelling, accessible, visitor centered, and aligned across projects.

Oversees MHS’s internal and external tours programs, working with staff across departments to grow the ways these successful programs reach even larger audiences and align with the institution’s storytelling priorities.

Maintains awareness of current events, community conversations, and emerging issues relevant to the St. Louis region to inform timely and meaningful storytelling through exhibits, content-writing, and programming.

Identifies emerging opportunities for MHS to engage audiences through new storytelling formats, partnerships, and experiences like programs and tours, collaborating closely with the Director of Education & Community Engagement.

Collaborates with the Missouri Historical Society’s communications department to share the St. Louis story as boldly and broadly as possible, identifying and executing on timely opportunities to connect MHS’s exhibits, collections, and storytelling to current events in social media, blog posts, broadcast media, and more.

Initiates and maintains storytelling collaborations with external partners.

Balances strategic leadership with hands-on content work, periodically serving as content lead for exhibit projects and contributing as an author for MHS publications.

Leads regular workshop and skills-building sessions for writers and content developers in departments across the Missouri Historical Society.

Serves as a visible public representative of the Missouri Historical Society through media appearances, public presentations, and community partnerships. Mentors other staff to grow their skills in these areas.

Manages planning and budgets for the Public History department in collaboration with the Managing Director of Public History.

Serves as a department head in the Missouri Historical Society’s Public History division, which encompasses much of the institution’s public-facing work. This role reports to the Managing Director of Public History.

Bachelor’s degree relating to public history, storytelling, or creative communication. This can include but is not limited to history, American studies, museum studies, journalism, or mass communications.
7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in public-facing communications, exhibit development, writing, or storytelling roles.

Experi…