Executive Director

Hiring Department

State Historical Society

Job Description

Nature of Work
Nominations and applications are invited for the full-time position of Executive Director, State Historical Society of Missouri (SHSMO), headquartered on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia, with research centers in St. Louis, Kansas City and Rolla, and on the campuses of Missouri State University in Springfield and Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. The State Historical Society of Missouri is the preeminent research institution in Missouri for the study of state and local history. It receives the majority of its funding from the state of Missouri but is also a 501(c)3 organization that seeks and benefits from private donations. The organization’s total annual operating budget is approximately $6 million.

The Executive Director oversees the operational, financial, programmatic, and development activities of the State Historical Society under policies established by the organization’s Board of Trustees and the board’s Executive Committee. The Executive Director supervises a staff of approximately 40 full-time and 10 part-time employees and provides editorial oversight for the Missouri Historical Review, the Missouri Encyclopedia and other periodic publications produced by the organization. The Executive Director assumes primary responsibility for fundraising for the organization, including advocacy for the organization’s annual state appropriation from the Missouri General Assembly.

The Executive Director serves on a variety of statewide advisory boards related to history, including the Missouri Board on Geographic Names, the Missouri Historical Advisory Board and the Missouri Local Records Board. The Executive Director also serves as a resource for Missourians and local historical societies in their search and advocacy for the study and preservation of Missouri history.

Salary will be commensurate with responsibilities and experience. Benefits package includes health, dental, life and disability insurance, and retirement benefits, provided through the University of Missouri. A tax-deferred annuity program is available.

Anticipated start date is May-October 2025

Key Responsibilities

• Fundraising from private and/or external sources
• Engaging with Missouri lawmakers, advocating for public funding for SHSMO
• Engaging with University of Missouri officials in furthering the mission of SHSMO
• Promoting Missouri history through talks/presentations to outside constituencies
• Engaging in the research and writing of Missouri history
• Serving as editor-in-chief of the Missouri Historical Review
• Meeting with, interacting with and supervising SHSMO staff members
• Monitoring the SHSMO budget
• Writing or supervising the writing of public and private grants
• Engaging with donors to solicit manuscripts and other research materials
• Engaging with and providing advice to local historical societies
• Representing SHSMO on statewide boards (such as Missouri Local Records, State Record Commission, State Board on Geographic Names)

For any questions regarding this position, please send to shsmocenter@shsmo.org.

Shift

Monday - Friday, 8-5pm nights and weekends as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

A Master's degree in a relevant area and 8 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired OR a Bachelor's degree in a relevant area and 10 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications
A Ph.D. degree in history, preferably American history, with coursework in or a record of research and writing on some aspect of Missouri history. The successful candidate will possess an established record of scholarship, including publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or the publication of one or more scholarly books published by a refereed press.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Candidates should possess qualities of leadership and vision, and the demonstrated ability to work effectively with State Historical Society trustees and employees, University administrators and college and departmental leaders, scholars, students, state and local elected officials, and the general public in assessing and shaping policies and programs.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $150,000 - $175,000 per year
Grade: GGS 015
University Title: Senior Director
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

Resume and cover letter

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits .

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-2146.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

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