Position Title: Executive Director
Reports to: Board of Regents
Location: Gunston Hall, Mason Neck, Virginia
Position Summary:
The Executive Director is responsible for realizing and fulfilling the mission of Gunston Hall and will play a leading role in positioning the institution as the “Home of American Rights” and as a centerof learning and engagement for all audiences.
The Executive Director (ED) reports to the First Regent of the Gunston Hall Board of Regents and is an Agency Head of the Commonwealth of Virginia with accountability to the Secretary of Education. This leader is responsible for realizing and fulfilling the mission of the organization and upholding the values of authenticity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and civic engagement. In the performance of these duties, the Executive Director is expected at all times to maintain and model the highest standards of professionalism, financial stewardship, ethical behavior, and strategic leadership.
Working in close partnership with the Regents, the Executive Director will pursue the following priorities:
• Building a strong revenue base to ensure sustainable operations of all programming and educational initiatives as capital projects reach completion, to include strengthening Commonwealth support, private philanthropy and earned income.
• Developing internal systems and processes, including sound budgetary practices and strong financial controls, that will allow the organization to operate efficiently and effectively as its scale expands.
• Streamlining and operationalizing the organization’s vision to ensure resources are dedicated to the areas in which Gunston Hall’s impact is most pronounced.
• Maintaining a strong working relationship with the Virginia General Assembly, which provides Gunston Hall essential operating, maintenance, and capital funding.
• Increasing organizational visibility and leveraging Gunston Hall’s role on the VA250 Commission to broaden awareness and attract supporters.
• Nurturing a high-performing team characterized by high expectations, cross-functional collaboration, and a culture of mutual respect and accountability
• Reimagining Gunston Hall’s relationship with George Mason University and establishing additional partnerships.
• Continuing to build out the institution’s intergenerational programming.
Gunston Hall seeks a leader with high standards and sterling personal integrity. This leader will be able to articulate a strong, strategic vision and have the capacity to develop and implement organizational strategies, including the ability to prepare and present reports to the Board of Regents. A proven ability to develop and achieve goals, manage projects, implement budgets, and meet deadlines is essential.
Stewardship of the premises — including historic structures, contemporary buildings, and extensive grounds, trails, gardens, and landscapes — will also be an essential component of this role. The next leader will manage daily operations of a historic site that is open 300 days per year to the visiting public. They will lead, plan, and manage all capital and maintenance projects in support of the Campus Master Plan. They will also develop and implement land and facilities management policies and procedures necessary to ensure operational, administrative, and legal compliance with best practices. The Executive Director will oversee the development and implementation of programs and services that reach targeted audiences and which realize the full educational potential of Gunston Hall’s physical resources.
The leader will reside in the Executive Director’s residence on the property and will serve as “first responder” for all security and/or emergency situations on the site. This responsibility includes service as one of two “Duty Officers” for the property and requires, among other functions, being on, in proximity, and/or readily able to access the site when “On Duty” approximately 180 days annually. Travel is also required throughout the United States to promote and tell the story of Gunston Hall, engage new stakeholders, and visit members of the Board of Regents and the State Societies of the NSCDA.
They will accomplish the institutional vision of Gunston Hall through measurable outcomes and organizational accountability and will lead, inspire, supervise, and evaluate staff and volunteers to meet the institution’s goals and objectives. The Executive Director will initiate and develop new partnerships and collaborations with other organizations, constituent groups, and public agencies and will nurture existing relationships to help expand public service and meet institutional goals.
Additional responsibilities include:
Financial Management and Fund Development
• Propose and manage the institutional budget, including Commonwealth of Virginia appropriations and special funds, as well as Regents’ and other funds, with integrity and transparency to achieve annual goals and to provide for financial accountability and secure the long-term financial health of the organization.
• Supervise preparation of comprehensive and accurate financial statements.
• Design, develop, and implement aggressive fundraising efforts, including the active solicitation of funds, capital and membership campaigns, annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, public and private grants, and earned income (e.g., revenue derived from ticket sales, events, and functions) in order to meet institutional priorities and provide for long-term financial stability.
Governance
• Work collaboratively to ensure efficient governance by the Board of Regents.
• Provide for the timely and orderly management of all public and private governance functions and maintain a positive and productive relationship with the Board of Regents and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Education
• Facilitate development of education programs that fulfill the goal of telling more stories of more people in more places on the campus.
• Work with community advisors, other stakeholders and staff to expand the reach and impact of educational programs with contemporary audiences.
• Supervise expansion of collaborations with George Mason University and other educational institutions.
Brand Stewardship
• Lead brand implementation and ensure effective and consistent marketing, messaging and communications to all stakeholders internal and external to the institution.
• Strategically advocate on behalf of the institution with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Fairfax County, and other appropriate forums.
• Develop strategies and relationships in order to increase visitation.
• Positively present and represent Gunston Hall including service on appropriate boards and active volunteerism with local communities and constituent groups, public officials and agencies, media representatives, professional organizations and colleagues, and others.
• Serve as the primary external representative of the organization and possess strong communication skills to be the media spokesperson for the organization.
Candidate Profile:
Gunston Hall seeks an energetic and ethical leader with strong financial acumen, fundraising skills, team-building expertise, outstanding communication skills, and experience working with state governments and nonprofit boards to serve as its next Executive Director.
The Executive Director of Gunston Hall is a strong visionary leader who will be able to collaborate with the Board of Regents, staff, Commonwealth agencies, local communities, and constituencies to design and execute strategic plans. This leader will have exceptional organizational skills and data-management capabilities, a commitment to excellence and high standards, and a creative approach to leadership with a willingness to embrace new ideas and possibilities. The leader will have a strong background in nonprofit finance and an enthusiasm for promoting Gunston Hall’s work across a range of audiences. This person will be comfortable with unique organizational structures — including a hybrid, public-private operating framework and a large, geographically dispersed Board of Regents — and will be a thoughtful partner in co constructing an institutional vision. While a background as a historian is not essential, the leader must possess an evident passion for the mission of Gunston Hall.
Desired skills and attributes include:
• Executive-level knowledge of the principles of government and non-profit accounting and financial management systems, including the basic concepts of fund accounting and related financial statements.
• Proven success in developing and managing non-profit and/or governmental budgets to meet targeted goals.
• Demonstrated success as a supervisor in organizing, motivating, leading, and managing paid and volunteer staff for best results in a nonprofit organization and/or government agency.
• Documented understanding of the roles and potential of history organizations and historical sites in contemporary society.
• Demonstrated appreciation of the requirements and roles of scholarship in museums, historical interpretation, public programs, and education activities.
• Documented success in setting, organizing, and meeting organizational fundraising goals in a competitive marketplace.
• Demonstrated success in conceiving and implementing creative public programs by working with and through others.
• Practical experience in establishing, measuring, and analyzing program goals and objectives.
• Proven success in presenting and representing a cultural organization or agency to funders, constituents and their communities, peer organizations, governing boards, public officials and agencies, and representatives of the press.
• Passion for American history, combined with a talent for sharing it with a variety of audiences through innovative methodologies and formats.
• Working knowledge of 18th century American and Virginia history, especially as it relates to George Mason’s life and contributions to American governance.
• Exemplary written and oral communication, interpersonal, and diplomatic skills.
• Working knowledge of electronic information systems generally used in contemporary museums and non-profit cultural organizations.
• Working knowledge of education and advocacy before government bodies and the workings of the Commonwealth of Virginia administrative and budget processes.
• Demonstrated awareness of, and proven ability to take advantage of, the opportunities that continually evolving digital technologies and social media offer for expanding the impact of cultural organizations, history museums, and historic sites.
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as history, museum studies, public history, public administration, business or education is required. A master’s degree or PhD is preferred. 8-10 years of progressive, relevant experience in leadership roles, particularly in non-profit associations, museum or cultural organization settings is essential. Previous experience as CEO or Executive Director of a non-profit organization is preferred.
Gunston Hall offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
The base compensation range for this position annually is between $180,000–$200,000. The position is based in Mason Neck, Virginia, as the Executive Director will be expected to live on the Gunston Hall premises in a newly constructed, rent-subsidized Director’s Residence expected in mid-2026. Health, retirement, PTO, and other benefits are available.
How to apply
If you want to lead this dynamic organization, please confidentially submit a current resume and cover letter to Kittleman & Associates. The cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your passion for Gunston Hall’s vision and mission, as well as organizational impact in current or prior roles. The position will remain open until filled, but applicants are highly encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible to ensure full consideration.
Submit your application to Kittleman online here.
View the full Executive Director position package below.
