Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for **Historic Site Manager**

🎯 Role Definition

As a Historic Site Manager, you are the chief steward and visionary leader of a unique cultural heritage destination. You will be entrusted with the comprehensive management and strategic direction of the site, ensuring its physical preservation, historical integrity, and financial health. This dynamic role requires a blend of business acumen, passion for history, and exceptional leadership to create engaging and educational experiences for a diverse public audience. You will be the primary advocate for the site, responsible for everything from day-to-day operations and staff leadership to long-range strategic planning, fundraising, and building robust community partnerships.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Museum Curator or Collections Manager
Education or Program Coordinator at a cultural institution
Assistant Site Manager or Operations Manager
Archivist or Public Historian

Advancement To:

Regional Director of Historic Sites
Executive Director of a Museum or Historical Society
Director of Cultural Resources for a state or federal agency
Vice President of Operations for a larger non-profit

Lateral Moves:

Non-Profit Executive Director
Cultural Tourism Director
University Lecturer or Professor in Public History or Museum Studies
Historic Preservation Consultant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Direct all aspects of daily site operations, including visitor services, ticketing, retail, security, and facilities maintenance to ensure a safe, welcoming, and high-quality guest experience.
Develop, manage, and oversee the site's annual operating budget, including revenue forecasting, expense control, and providing detailed financial reports to the Board and senior leadership.
Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate a diverse team of paid staff and volunteers, fostering a positive, collaborative, and mission-driven work environment.
Spearhead comprehensive fundraising and development strategies, including grant writing, major donor cultivation, corporate sponsorships, membership programs, and annual giving campaigns.
Oversee the long-term preservation and conservation of historic buildings, landscapes, and collections in accordance with professional standards and best practices.
Plan, develop, and implement innovative and historically accurate interpretive plans, educational programs, and public events for diverse audiences, including school groups, adults, and families.
Formulate and execute a strategic marketing and communications plan to increase site visibility, drive attendance, and enhance public engagement across various media platforms.
Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors or advisory committee, preparing reports, facilitating meetings, and collaborating on strategic planning and governance.
Cultivate and maintain strong, positive relationships with community stakeholders, government agencies, local businesses, partner organizations, and the media.
Manage capital projects related to historic restoration, new construction, or exhibit development, including vendor selection, contract negotiation, and project oversight.
Ensure the proper care, documentation, and management of the site's artifact and archival collections, including accessioning, deaccessioning, and environmental monitoring.
Develop and implement a comprehensive risk management plan, ensuring compliance with all health, safety, and accessibility regulations.
Drive strategic planning initiatives to establish long-range goals for the site’s growth, financial sustainability, and programmatic impact.
Act as the primary spokesperson and public face of the historic site, representing its mission and programs at public functions, professional conferences, and media interviews.
Oversee the management and growth of revenue-generating activities, such as site rentals for private events, retail operations, and licensing agreements.
Lead the creation of compelling and research-based content for exhibits, tours, publications, and digital platforms to engage visitors with the site's history.
Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and visitor services through data collection and analysis, using insights to guide continuous improvement.
Ensure all activities and interpretations are inclusive and reflect diverse perspectives, broadening the site's relevance to a wider community.
Manage relationships with descendants, affiliated cultural communities, and other groups connected to the site's history, ensuring respectful and collaborative partnerships.
Write and administer federal, state, and foundation grants, ensuring meticulous reporting and compliance with all funding requirements.
Develop and implement emergency preparedness and disaster response plans to protect the site's invaluable human, physical, and cultural assets.

Secondary Functions

Represent the organization at local, regional, and national professional conferences to share knowledge and build networks.
Collaborate with the Board of Directors and senior leadership to provide regular updates, strategic insights, and recommendations for governance.
Stay current with emerging trends, new research, and best practices in museum studies, historic preservation, public history, and non-profit management.
Contribute to the development and implementation of organization-wide strategic initiatives that extend beyond the specific site.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Budgeting & Financial Management: Proven ability to develop and manage complex budgets, P&L statements, and financial reports.
Fundraising & Grant Writing: Demonstrated success in securing funds from diverse sources, including individual donors, foundations, and government grants.
Historic Preservation Principles: Strong knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and best practices for the care of historic structures and landscapes.
Collections Management: Familiarity with museum collections care standards and experience with collections management software (e.g., PastPerfect, Collector Systems).
Project Management: Experience managing complex projects, such as capital improvements or exhibit development, from conception to completion.
Marketing & Public Relations: Skills in developing and executing marketing strategies to drive attendance and public awareness.

Soft Skills

Inspirational Leadership: Ability to motivate, manage, and mentor a diverse team of staff and volunteers toward a common vision.
Exceptional Communication: Superior written, verbal, and public speaking skills, with the ability to act as a compelling storyteller and advocate.
Community Engagement: A natural ability to build and sustain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, partners, and community members.
Strategic Thinking: Capacity to think critically and creatively to develop and execute long-range plans that ensure site sustainability and growth.
Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Resourceful and decisive in handling the unexpected operational challenges inherent in managing a historic property.
Passion for History: A genuine and demonstrable enthusiasm for public history and making the past relevant and accessible to contemporary audiences.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree

Relevant Fields of Study:

Museum Studies
Historic Preservation
Public History
History
Arts Administration
Non-Profit Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-8+ years of progressively responsible experience in a museum, historic site, or related cultural organization.

Preferred: At least 3-5 years in a significant leadership or management capacity, with a proven track record in staff supervision, budget oversight, and successful fundraising. Direct experience managing a historic property or facility is highly desirable.