Executive Director

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Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct a search for the incoming Executive Director on behalf of our exceptional client, the National WASP WWII Museum; a nationally recognized institution dedicated to preserving the remarkable legacy of the Women Airforce Service Pilots—the first women to fly America's military aircraft. Located at the historic Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, where most WASP trained during World War II, this impactful opportunity offers the chance to lead an organization that honors pioneering women who forever changed aviation and broke barriers that continue to inspire generations.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The National WASP WWII Museum seeks a visionary Executive Director who will lead this unique institution through its next phase of growth and impact. The successful candidate will expand educational programming, strengthen community engagement, drive strategic fundraising initiatives, and ensure the WASP story continues to inspire current and future generations of aviators, leaders, and barrier-breakers.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will serve as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the Museum, overseeing all operations while building strategic partnerships within the aviation community, military organizations, and educational institutions. As the face of the Museum, the Executive Director will embody the pioneering spirit of the WASP and their commitment to excellence, service, and breaking new ground.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL WASP WWII MUSEUM:

Founded in 2003 through the vision of WASP Deanie Bishop Parrish and her daughter Nancy Parrish, the National WASP WWII Museum stands as the only institution located on the original airfield where these remarkable women trained. Between , 1,108 women served as Women Airforce Service Pilots, flying every type of military aircraft and paving the way for women in both military and civilian aviation.

The Museum operates from a beautifully renovated 1929 hangar and a state-of-the-art climate-controlled facility on a 15-acre campus. With a donor base of 9,000 supporters nationwide, the organization has experienced significant growth, doubling its campus facilities and creating nationally recognized exhibits that bring the WASP story to life.

Notable programs include the annual Homecoming celebration honoring WASP and their families, comprehensive educational tours for students, extensive archival research services, and a dynamic "Museum on the Move" initiative that brings aircraft and exhibits to airshows across Texas, Oklahoma, and the renowned EAA Air Venture in Oshkosh. The Museum's collection includes authentic WWII-era aircraft and an extensive archive of primary resources that serve researchers, authors, and filmmakers worldwide.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

• Provide dynamic leadership and strategic vision to advance the Museum's mission of educating and inspiring all generations with the WASP story.
• Execute the strategic plan while identifying new opportunities for programmatic expansion and community impact.
• Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and respect that honors the WASP legacy.
• Direct daily operations including education programming, collections management, facilities, and community outreach.
• Build and maintain relationships with WASP families, aviation organizations, military institutions, and educational partners.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION

• Expand educational programming to reach diverse audiences, with particular focus on engaging younger generations.
• Develop and implement the "Museum on the Move" initiative to bring WASP stories to schools and communities…