Director of Marketing and Public Relations

George Mason’s Gunston Hall, a National Historic Landmark located on scenic Mason Neck in Fairfax County, Virginia, is pleased to announce an exciting new opportunity for a creative and innovative individual to lead marketing and public relations operations at a growing and vibrant cultural organization.  The Director of Marketing and Public Relations serves on Gunston Hall’s senior leadership team and we are seeking a passionate and enthusiastic leader with the vision and expertise to develop and implement comprehensive and collaborative marketing, communications, and public relations initiatives.

The ideal candidate will be able to strategically and entrepreneurially lead and manage departmental operations and support organizational advancement.  The ideal candidate will also possess a passion for building and sustaining relationships, an enthusiastic commitment to excellence, a dedicated commitment to exceptional service, and a strong belief in the importance of ongoing personal and professional development.

Description of Duties:

The Director of Marketing and Public Relations is responsible for achieving and sustaining an acclaimed reputation for Gunston Hall, building and cultivating strong relationships with stakeholders, and effectively promoting the brand, mission, and activities of Gunston Hall to a broad and diverse audience. The Director of Marketing and Public Relations’ primary areas of focus include:

1. Serving as Gunston Hall’s brand champion.
2. Ensuring the consistent application of Gunston Hall’s brand across all formats.
3. Planning and implementing strategic marketing and public relations initiatives.
4. Coordinating media relations.
5. Tracking and reporting on key performance indicators.
6. Cultivating beneficial relationships and partnerships.
7. Ensuring consistent and timely communications both internally and externally of the organization.
8. Seeking grants and other resources in furtherance of departmental and organizational goals.
9. Proactively serving as a member of Gunston Hall’s senior leadership team.
10. Supporting and supervising a part-time Marketing Assistant.

Additionally, the Director of Marketing and Public Relations will be responsible for:

1. Developing, implementing, and monitoring departmental budgets and business plans.
2. Researching and analyzing community and audience demographics.
3. Producing and publishing Gunston Hall’s newsletter.
4. Writing content for press releases, calendar postings, the website, blogs, and similar products.
5. Maximizing relationships with tourism, hospitality, and business partners.
6. Developing and implementing an organization-wide communications plan.
7. Documenting and measuring the success of marketing and public relations initiatives.
8. Working closely with the Board of Regents of Gunston Hall, Inc. and appropriate committees in support of departmental and organizational goals.
9. Generating materials for board, fundraising, and government affairs initiatives.
10. Supervising contractors, staff, volunteers, and interns as needed.

In performing these duties, the Director of Marketing and Public Relations will demonstrate creativity, innovation, the ability to work as part of a high functioning team, and exemplary communication skills.

Qualifications for this position include:

1. Successful organizational and team leadership in diverse and vibrant settings.
2. Success leading initiatives that maximize the brand, enhance reputation, and drive guest participation.
3. Success implementing organization-wide brand standards.
4. Success maximizing both paid and organic social media and other digital content.
5. Exemplary communication, writing, and design skills.
6. Success cultivating and sustaining strong relationships with diverse constituencies.
7. Experience creating, supporting, and sustaining an environment in which a unified team works for excellence.
8. Experience providing exemplary guest service and customer service training.
9. Success identifying and achieving goals.
10. Success planning and managing projects.
11. Success implementing budgets and business plans.
12. Success meeting targeted deadlines.
13. A commitment to leading and supporting entrepreneurial and innovative initiatives.
14. Exceptional data management skills.
15. A positive attitude, energetic personality, motivational spirit, and creatively open mind.
16. A commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
17. A commitment to excellence.

Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification required for entry into position:

1. A Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, museum studies or a related field is required.
2. Experience in marketing, communications, and public relations, or a comparable combination of education and experience is required.
3. Knowledge and experience specific to museums or historic sites is preferred.
4. A passion for Gunston Hall, history, historic sites, and associated themes and topics is beneficial.
5. Must be available to work weekends, holidays and/or evenings as needed.
6. Must be able to travel out of town as needed.

This position is a full-time, salaried, and classified as exempt. Compensation will be based on qualifications. Performance will be evaluated based on the achievement of collaboratively determined team and personal goals specific to the requirements of the position.

The mission of Gunston Hall is to stimulate the exploration and understanding of principles expressed by George Mason in the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights.  Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a National Historic Landmark, the site includes Gunston Hall, reconstructed outbuildings, a visitor center and museum, event facility, museum shop, and 550 acres of diverse landscape situated along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia.  For more information, please visit www.gunstonhall.org.

Gunston Hall does not accept “See Resume” as a response to any question.  Information on the application is the primary source used for screening.  Failure to complete any section of the application may disqualify the application for further consideration.  Also, applications should include complete work history, including periods of unemployment if applicable. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Apply online at:  https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com/postings/247352

 

Job Posting Number is: 1080675
George Mason’s Gunston Hall is an equal opportunity employer.

Development Associate, George Mason’s Gunston Hall 

George Mason’s Gunston Hall is seeking an aspirational, energetic, and collaborative individual to serve as the organization’s full-time Development Associate.  Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Associate is responsible for all administrative aspects of development activities and plays an important role by providing administrative support to the Development Department, participating in all fundraising activities, and coordinating strategic functions in support of Gunston Hall’s development and fundraising initiatives.  In performing these duties, the Development Associate is expected to demonstrate a commitment to organization, accuracy, detail, the ability to meet deadlines, the ability to work as part of a high functioning team, exemplary communication skills, and a passion for the mission of Gunston Hall.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Process donations and prepare acknowledgement letters and other correspondence.
• Gather and maintain foundation, corporation and individual donor files.
• Create regular fundraising reports and other database reports as needed.
• Continually update and correct database records.
• Conduct research on prospective corporate, foundation, individual, and other potential donors.
• Write donor profiles based on research.

• Manage the membership program.

• Coordinate production and mailing of annual appeal letters.
• Coordinate production of an Annual Report
• Coordinate production of donor recognition signage and associated materials.
• Assist with tasks related to grant proposals and reports.
• Assist with event planning, execution and follow-up including the maintenance of guest lists, gathering and preparation of registration materials, and other duties as assigned for fund-raising events.
• Handle administrative details associated with the Board of Regents Development Committee meetings (i.e. prepare and distribute notices, agendas, minutes, etc.).
• Support strong relationships with all donors, members, prospects, and stakeholders.
• Administrative and other duties as assigned.

Other Responsibilities:

• Support strong relationships with members of the Gunston Hall Board of Regents.
• Support strong relationships with members of The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) and the national office of The NSCDA.
• Support strong relationships with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Serve as a representative of the organization and articulate Gunston Hall’s mission and goals for a wide range of audiences.

We are seeking an individual with the following attributes:

• Demonstrated success in diverse and vibrant settings.
• Exceptional organizational and data management skills.
• Ability to present information concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to organize and prioritize work
• Ability to work independently with little supervision
• Ability achieving goals, managing projects, and meeting targeted deadlines.
• Experience creating comprehensive, usable, and data driven reports by targeted deadlines.
• Experience creating, supporting, and sustaining environments in which a unified team works for organizational excellence.
• Experience providing and supporting exemplary guest service.
• Exemplary communication skills.
• A positive attitude, energetic personality, motivational spirit, and creatively open mind.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
• A commitment to excellence.

Qualifications for this position include:

• A Bachelor’s degree and progressive experience within a non-profit development office is preferred.
• Experience with Donor Perfect or comparable fundraising software is preferred.
• Experience within a cultural organization, museum, or historic site is preferred.
• Experience with public-private partnerships is preferred.
• A passion for the mission of Gunston Hall is preferred.

Compensation will be based on qualifications. Performance will be evaluated based on the achievement of collaboratively determined team and personal goals specific to the requirements of the position.

The mission of Gunston Hall is to stimulate the exploration and understanding of principles expressed by George Mason in the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights.  Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a National Historic Landmark, Gunston Hall was built by George Mason from 1755-1759. Today, the site includes Gunston Hall; reconstructed outbuildings; a visitor center, museum, event facility, and museum shop; and 550 acres of diverse landscape situated along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia.  For more information, please visit www.gunstonhall.org.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Scott Stroh, Executive Director, at sstroh@gunstonhall.org, by September 3, 2021.

Gunston Hall is an equal opportunity employer.

Request for Proposals

George Mason’s Gunston Hall
School Renaming in Virginia: An Oral History Project
July 30, 2021

George Mason’s Gunston Hall is seeking the services of a consultant to conduct an oral history project that focuses on interviewing a representative sample of the community, including administrators, students, teachers, alumni and community members, regarding the school renaming of George Mason Elementary School in Richmond and George Mason High School in Falls Church.

About George Mason’s Gunston Hall
Gunston Hall’s mission is to stimulate the exploration and understanding of principles expressed by George Mason in the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights, a document that informed the first ten amendments to the Constitution as declared in the United States Bill of Rights. Gunston Hall offers a variety of educational opportunities including a long-term exhibit that explores George Mason’s legacy and how his ideas, choices, and actions helped form our country. We offer guided tours of the property and mansion; and educational programs and events throughout the year. We maintain a world-class reference library, rare book collection, and the largest assembly of Mason-related archives in the world. We are also committed to preserving this National Historic Landmark and restoring the historic core of the property to its 1780s appearance.

Project Background
In February 2020, the Richmond School Board voted to rename George Mason Elementary, and in December 2020, the Falls Church School Board voted to rename George Mason High School. Gunston Hall plans to conduct oral histories of parents, teachers, students, alumni and community members in these cities to document these changes and evolving attitudes towards our Founders. We will also identify items and artifacts with the name “George Mason” to collect. This will allow us to continue our interpretation of Mason’s mixed legacy and tell the larger story of the social justice movement that motivated these changes.

The project is based at Gunston Hall.  Gunston Hall staff, as well as an advisory group of humanities scholars from within and without Virginia, will provide guidance and intellectual framing for the project.

Project Specifications

The following will be furnished by the consultant:

1. The Consultant will work with Gunston Hall and project advisors to create a list of potential interviewees.
2. The Consultant will conduct interviews (number to be indicated by the consultant as part of the RFP response).
3. The Consultant  will develop a tentative schedule for the interviews and contact interviewees.
4. The Consultant will contact interviewees to confirm interview date, time, and location.
5. The Consultant will undertake the interviews using high quality recording equipment.
6. The Consultant will provide field notes of each interview.
7. The Consultant will work with Gunston Hall to identify and document archival material and objects of material culture for possible accession into the Gunston Hall collection.
8. The Consultant will provide digital photographs of each person interviewed, with their permission, and photographs of any artifacts or archival materials that the interviewee might show the consultant during the interview. All artifacts presented will be detailed including provenance, type, general condition, owner, and location.
9. The Consultant will organize the transcription of the interviews.
10. The Consultant will complete a summary report that describes the school renaming experience and provides a synopsis of the interviews.
11. The Consultant will provide to Gunston Hall a digital recording of all interviews, summary report, all field notes and photographs, and two hard copies of the summary report with photographs.
12. The Consultant will participate in:
    1. A meeting with the contractor, humanities scholars, and Gunston Hall staff to work on framing the project within existing scholarship on public memory, memorials, race, communities, and identity.
    2. Two meetings with Gunston Hall and project advisors to review findings from oral history collection and develop interpretive themes.
    3.  A meeting hosted by Gunston Hall to outline the content for the online exhibition.
    4. Informal conversations with Gunston Hall staff as needed.
13. The Consultant will work with community organizations and Gunston Hall to present talks about the project and its findings and assist in drafting press releases.

The following materials and work shall be furnished by Gunston Hall:

1. Gunston Hall will provide the Consultant with an initial list of individuals who may be willing to be interviewed about their school renaming experiences in Falls Church and in Richmond.
2. Gunston Hall will provide a release form for all interviewees to sign.
3. Gunston Hall will assist with the transcription of the interviews.
4. Gunston Hall will promote this project through the creation of an online exhibition and through articles for submission to publications such as TeacherDirect, and press releases submitted news outlets in Richmond, Falls Church, and adjacent communities.
5. Gunston Hall will provide storage space for the audio and video recordings of the oral histories collected and associated records from the project.

Proposed Schedule
Note: this is a rough schedule. A final schedule will be developed with the selected consultant.

August 30, 2021	Deadline for proposals.
September 15, 2021	RFP contract award decision.
October 2021	Participate in a meeting with Gunston Hall, humanities scholar project advisors, and peer organizations. Draft strategy and tentative schedule for interviews.
November 2021 – April 2022	Conduct oral history interviews and work with Gunston Hall to identify artifacts and objects of material culture to collect.
May 2022	Meet with Gunston Hall and project advisors to develop interpretive themes.
June 2022	Submit draft project summary report to Gunston Hall.
July 2022	Submit audio recordings, final summary report, field notes and photographs to Gunston Hall.
August 2022	Work with Gunston Hall and the project advisors to develop the script for the online exhibition.

Consultant Qualifications (required)

1. Be an oral history professional and/or graduate student or professor working in the areas of public memory or race and identity or community members with strong expertise and knowledge in the humanities, particularly having done work related to memorials, public memory, local history, etc.
2. Experience conducting oral history interviewing interviews consistent with the Oral History Association Principles and Best Practices:

https://www.oralhistory.org/archives-principles-and-best-practices-complete-manual/

1. Own or lease recording equipment for the interviews at the consultant’s expense.

Basis for Selection of Consultant
The Consultant will be selected based upon the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated ability to carry out the project.
2. Quality of the proposal including at a minimum:
   1. Indicate total number of interviews to be conducted (interviews will take place in both Richmond, VA and Falls Church, VA)
   2.  Time per interview.
   3. Description of consultant’s broad interview strategy.
   4. Demonstrated ability to build connections within a community
   5. Awareness and understanding of the social and cultural issues surrounding school renaming
3. Ability to meet stated schedule.
4. Demonstrated prior experience/record of performance.
5. Resume and three references with contact information.

Proposal Instructions
Proposals should address the “Consultant Qualifications” and “Basis for Selection of Consultant” as specified in this RFP. The method and procedure to be used to fulfill the requirements and conduct the project should be described in full detail. In addition, the Consultant should provide examples of oral history projects that they have worked on and a minimum of three references.

This will be a lump sum contract. The total budget for the project cannot exceed $11,500, inclusive of travel.

The project is contingent upon receipt of grant funding.

Submission of Proposal
The deadline for submission of proposals: Monday, August 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

Proposals submitted after this time and date will not be accepted. Electronic submissions are preferred. Please use “School Renaming in Virginia: An Oral History Project” under subject heading and include the proposal along with a resume, a brief work sample, a minimum of three references and send to rebecca.martin@gunstonhall.org.

If submitting in hard copy, please include three copies of the proposal along with resume, work sample and three references with the following information clearly printed on the outside:

Gunston Hall
Attn: Rebecca Martin
10709 Gunston Rd
Mason Neck, VA 22079

Fax and handwritten submittals will not be accepted.

Information and Assistance
For more information or questions regarding this opportunity, please contact:

Contact: Rebecca Martin, Director of Education and Guest Experiences
Phone: 703-550-9220
E-mail: rebecca.martin@gunstonhall.org

Horticulturist

Gunston Hall is a small museum with a highly collaborative, energetic staff dedicated to the power of place, historical objects, and storytelling to create meaningful experiences for visitors of all ages.  We offer an exciting opportunity for an energetic and action-oriented professional to join our team in the development, management, and interpretation of gardens and historic landscapes on our 550-acre historic site. Having recently adopted a twenty year Campus Master Plan and reconstructed the historic river-side garden at Gunston Hall, we are seeking a passionate and collaborative horticulturist with the vision, expertise, and ability to inspire, develop, and implement an active program of landscape restoration, maintenance, and education.

The ideal candidate will possess expertise in horticulture and landscape management, a compelling vision for the educational potential of gardens and landscapes, an enthusiasm for their work, a commitment to collaboration, a strong belief in the importance of ongoing personal and professional development, and knowledge of 18th-century horticulture.

Description of Duties

The horticulturist is a full-time, exempt-status position working within the education and guest experiences department under the direct supervision of the director of education and guest experiences.

Gardening: The horticulturist is responsible for 

• Taking the lead role in all garden and historic landscape work at Gunston Hall.
• Completing the implementation of the riverside garden planting plan.
• Ensuring that Gunston Hall’s horticultural work implements and reflects current best practices in the field and that the organization’s plant holdings and landscapes are documented appropriately.
• Establishing goals and providing daily technical and physical work to ensure the success of garden and historic landscape related activities.
• Adhering to the best care and management practices for planting, pruning, replacing, harvesting, seed collecting, and the overall care of a variety of flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, trees, and shrubs. 
• Assuming responsiblity for amending the soil within the garden enclosures as necessary.
• Identifying, controlling, and treating weeds, diseases, and pests including the safe and proper use of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.

Working with others: The horticulturist is responsible for

• Expanding the volunteer corps; directly supervising volunteer and contractor gardeners, while fostering a climate of teamwork.
• Establishing and ensuring that workplaces are safe for all those helping in the gardens and that safe work practices are used.
• Supervising the timely harvesting of produce and as requested by the education and guest experiences department and the museum shop.
• Communicating with internal and external audiences about Gunston Hall’s garden and landscapes.
• Cultivating and maintaining professional relationships with other historic gardens and greenhouse facilities to exchange ideas and information.

Supporting the mission: The horticulturist is responsible for

• Conducting research on Gunston Hall’s gardens, plants, and landscapes including the sharing of findings with staff and the public through lectures, publications, tours, new media, and similar formats.
• Providing tours of the historic gardens and historic landscapes as needed.
• Interacting positively with visitors, answering questions, and giving directions.
• Working closely with the director of education and guest experiences to prepare the annual horticulture budget and work plan.
• Serving as the authority on Gunston Hall’s horticultural efforts, representing these initiatives and work to visitors, donors, the media, and the public at large.
• Collaborating with the executive director and development staff to raise funds necessary to complete needed horticulture initiatives and projects.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in agricultural sciences, horticulture, or a closely related field.
• Two to three years of progressive experience at a historic site, park, or comparable facility.
• Sound knowledge of the philosophy and fundamental principles, theories, and best practices of horticulture and landscape management.
• Demonstrated commitment and success engaging and educating the public.
• Ability to supervise and manage volunteers.
• Ability to work with staff of other departments and outside professionals.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong lines of communication.
• Ability to safely operate a variety of hand tools, power equipment, and gas-powered equipment (i.e. shears, blowers, chain saws, tractors, weed eaters, loaders, and trucks).
• Ability to obtain a Virginia pesticide applicator’s license.
• Ability to prepare and manage budgets
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays and evenings as needed.
• Ability to lift 30 lbs.
• Ability to work outdoors for long periods in various weather conditions.

This position is full-time, salaried, and classified as exempt. Compensation will be based on qualifications. Performance will be evaluated based on the achievement of collaboratively determined team and personal goals specific to the requirements of the position.

The mission of Gunston Hall is to stimulate the exploration and understanding of the principles expressed by George Mason in the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights.  Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a National Historic Landmark, Gunston Hall was built from 1755-1759.  The almost 6000 acre plantation was the home of George and Ann Mason, their children, and hundreds of enslaved people, indentured servants, wage workers, and tenant farmers.  Today, the site strives to tell the stories of these diverse people and how their stories contribute to our greater American narrative.  The physical plant includes the house called Gunston Hall; five reconstructed outbuildings; a visitor center, museum, event facility, and museum shop; an on-going restoration of the 18th-century garden, and 550 acres of diverse landscape situated along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia.  For more information, please visit www.gunstonhall.org.

Gunston Hall is an equal opportunity employer.

To apply please send a cover letter and resume to Rebecca Martin, director of education and guest experiences, at rebecca.martin@gunstonhall.org.  Gunston Hall is an equal opportunity employer.