Executive Director

The New England Air Museum (NEAM) seeks an accomplished leader with demonstrated success in fundraising, strategic leadership, and organizational management to serve as its next Executive Director.

• Strengthen the Museum's long-term financial sustainability. Working closely with the Board and development staff, the Executive Director will expand philanthropic support, diversify revenue streams, and build the financial resources necessary to support the Museum's ambitious educational, exhibition, and preservation goals.
• Prepare for a future capital campaign. The Board envisions a campaign to construct an additional exhibition hangar and associated visitor amenities that will allow the Museum to display more of its nationally significant collection, improve the visitor experience, and create new opportunities for exhibitions, programs, and events. The next Executive Director will help determine the timing, scope, and readiness for this transformative initiative.
• Lead the Museum's next strategic planning process. Building on the organization's recent accomplishments, the Executive Director will work with the Board, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders to develop a shared vision and strategic roadmap for the Museum's next chapter.
• Advance exhibition renewal and interpretation. Building upon recent investments in exhibitions, the Museum seeks to continue refreshing its galleries through new permanent installations, rotating exhibitions, enhanced digital interpretation, and storytelling that broadens the Museum's appeal while highlighting New England's historic and ongoing contributions to aviation and aerospace.
• Expand the Museum's leadership in STEM education and aerospace workforce development. The Museum has become an increasingly important educational resource for schools, families, and industry partners. The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to deepen these partnerships while further positioning NEAM as a leader in aviation education and career exploration.
• Deepen partnerships throughout Connecticut's aerospace ecosystem. The Museum's proximity to Bradley International Airport and many of the world's leading aerospace companies presents exceptional opportunities for collaboration, sponsorship, workforce initiatives, and public engagement.
• Pursue accreditation. The Executive Director will have the opportunity to evaluate and, if appropriate, position the Museum for future accreditation and other initiatives that demonstrate excellence.

The salary range is 220, commensurate with experience, plus an attractive benefits package.

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership for the Museum, working closely with the Board of Directors to establish organizational priorities, implement strategic initiatives, and position the Museum for continued growth and relevance.
• Serve as the Board's principal advisor, ensuring that trustees receive timely, accurate, and meaningful information to support sound governance and informed decision-making.
• Cultivate a productive and collaborative partnership with the Board, engaging trustees as ambassadors, advocates, and philanthropic partners in advancing the Museum's mission.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

• Serve as the Museum’s chief fundraiser by actively cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, government agencies, and community supporters.
• In partnership with the Board and development staff, expand philanthropic support through annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, sponsor ships, grants, special events, and future campaign initiatives.
• Personally represent the Museum in cultivating relationships that translate into meaningful financial investment and long-term institutional support.

• Provide prudent financial leadership by developing and managing the annual operating budget, monitoring organizational performance, safeguarding assets, and ensuring responsible stewardship of financial resources.
• Identify opportunities to diversify and strengthen earned and contributed revenue while maintaining fiscal discipline and long-term financial sustainability.
• Ensure effective oversight of Museum operations, including facilities, visitor services, collections stewardship, and technology.

• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a talented and diverse professional staff while fostering a positive, collaborative, and high-performing workplace.
• Establish clear expectations, encourage professional growth, promote accountability, and support a culture of teamwork, respect, and continuous learning.
• Recognize and celebrate the Museum's extraordinary volunteer community, ensuring that volunteers remain fully integrated into the organization.