Employment Opportunities

Executive Director 

The Wellesley Historical Society is the only non-profit entity dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing the history of Wellesley, Massachusetts. Founded in 1925, the Society serves the community at two historic buildings and through external programs including a popular free Speaker Series, Historic Walking Tours, an October Craft Beer event, trivia night event, and the Annual Spring Gala.  The Society also supports the Tollhouse Shop, where donated vintage items and collectibles are available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting the Society.

Passionate volunteers drive the Wellesley Historic Society, including a standing volunteer Board of Directors. But to succeed it relies on the professional guidance and support of the Executive Director and other paid staff.

 The Executive Director is the lead professional managing the Wellesley Historical Society. Critical to the mission of the Society, the Executive Director is a highly organized, communicative, and dedicated expert who flourishes as the lead in a volunteer organization. Beyond administration, the Executive Director sets the tone and spirit of the society, energizes its supporters and volunteers, and promotes the cultural value of the town.

Position Details

 Hours: Full-time position; part-time considered for qualified candidates. On-site presence required at least four days per working week, with occasional events outside of normal business hours.

Compensation: 60K annually; no benefits included

Vacation: [four] weeks of paid vacation each year (adjusted if a part-time position)

Reports to: WHS Board of Directors, with direct interaction with the President of the Board.

Qualifications: Undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in a relevant discipline, with at least five years of experience in the field.  Preference given to those with experience in non-profit museums, cultural facilities, or historic societies. Excellent communication skills are required, along with a noticeable passion for history and historic preservation.

The Executive Director is a leader who understands and flourishes in a community non-profit supported by dedicated volunteers. The general responsibilities of the position include:

  • Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors, to update and execute the strategic plan for the Society, budget and fundraising goals, and long-term vision for how the Society can best contribute to the Wellesley community

  • Attend, organize, and provide content and discussion topics for board meetings (September through June)

  • Schedule and supervise paid staff (Exhibit Manager, contract employees) and volunteers on-site

  • Manage daily operations of the Society, including physical operations, security, environmental controls, and maintenance of the collections

  • Maintain donor records and manage donor recognition communication

  • Manage the budget and fiscal accounts of the Society, working with external bookkeeper and accountant

  • Manage the agreement, terms, and payments for external vendors, within budget

  • Oversee the development and installation of three rotating exhibits at the Wellesley History Center in collaboration with the Exhibit Manager

  • Support and lead all Society programing and fundraising events, including the Speaker Series at the Wellesley Free Library, historic walking tours, a fall craft beer event, trivia night event, and the annual spring  gala

  • Oversee and manage the Society’s The Tollhouse Shop, a charity shop at the Tollhouse Building.

  • Manage the Society’s historical collections which contain a wide-range of materials, including archives, photographs, textiles, object, entomology, and art. including their organization and preservation, and oversee access to those materials by  researchers

  • Oversee external communications, including press and membership materials, postal mail, social media, email, website, and the online store.  Work collaboratively with an external marketing firm in the creation of these materials.

  • Lead membership marketing and the annual membership drive, with general responsibility for encouraging membership in the Society

  • Serve as the primary liaison with Wellesley town government officials for the Society, which may include attendance and presentations at town committee meetings or town meeting.

How to Apply

Apply with cover letter and resume to: director@wellesleyhistoricalsociety.org; or mail to: Executive Director, Wellesley Historical Society, 229 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02481.