Southeastern Museums Conference
Executive Director, The Mitford Museum & Discovery Center, Hudson, NC
Southeastern Museums Conference, Hudson, North Carolina, United States, 28638
Executive Director, The Mitford Museum & Discovery Center, Hudson, NC
Location: Hudson, North Carolina Reports to: Board of Directors and Founder Position Overview
The Mitford Museum & Discovery Center seeks a dynamic, hands-on, and visionary leader to serve as its inaugural Executive Director—a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape a new cultural institution from the ground up. Rooted in the beloved storytelling tradition of Jan Karon’s Mitford novels, the new Discovery Center will be a creative and educational gathering place designed to uplift the community through intergenerational learning, artistic expression, and shared history. As we prepare to break ground on this major expansion across the street from the existing Mitford Museum, the Executive Director will lead the creation and launch of a transformational space for literacy, storytelling, the arts, and community engagement in the foothills of North Carolina. This role combines entrepreneurial leadership with a deep commitment to inclusivity, education, and the arts. The Executive Director oversees the Museum’s strategic vision and day-to-day operations, collaborates closely with the founder, builds dynamic programs that attract diverse audiences, and leads fundraising efforts to ensure long-term success. The Museum is nearing completion of the first phase of a $2.4M campaign. This is an ideal position for a creative, collaborative leader excited to make a lasting impact on the cultural life of Caldwell County and the state of North Carolina. About the Mitford Museum
Founded in 2021, the Mitford Museum is dedicated to advancing the common good through literacy, creativity, and community. The Museum is located in The Hudson Arts Center on the HUB Station campus, an 80-year-old former school campus that has been transformed by the town of Hudson, NC, into a 21st-century hub for artistic creation, business development, and enjoyment. The Mitford Museum (TMM) anchors the Arts Center with exhibition galleries and Happy Endings Bookstore. TMM has welcomed visitors from all 50 states and abroad and hosts ambitious annual events such as The Candace Freeland Photography of Merit Award, the Mitford Spring Tea, and the GetLit! literary festival. Programming provides support for The Mitford Museum while also giving back to the community. Throughout the year, the museum hosts workshops, art and photography exhibitions, readings, and performances that celebrate creators of all ages. We have partnered with StoryCorps to build an Oral History Library to collect, document, and preserve the stories of our local and broader communities with the StoryCorps Archive and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. When our founder’s dreams and ambitions exceeded our square footage at the Arts Center, the Mitford Museum took on the challenge of creating the Mitford Discovery Center (MDC). MDC will welcome the community to explore world-class traveling exhibitions, create together in a hands-on creative arts space, and share stories in the Mitford Oral History Library, all housed in a 7,000-square-foot building designed by North Carolina architects to excite and inspire: Exhibitions from venues such as the Smithsonian and the American Museum of Natural History will bring the world to the foothills of North Carolina. Our creative arts space will host poetry readings, writing workshops, musical jam sessions, photography, and intergenerational art programs, establishing MDC as a place where North Carolina’s culture is lived and reimagined. MDC will include space for recording, listening, and interpreting histories collected through the StoryCorps Oral History library, established at TMM in 2024. We will also offer genealogy and heritage related activities in partnership with the Caldwell Heritage Museum and other history-related organizations. About Hudson, NC
Hudson is a small town of approximately 3,700 residents in Caldwell County, North Carolina. It sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains within the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton metro area. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, family events, and active civic life, Hudson blends suburban and rural living with access to nearby urban amenities. Its economy includes manufacturing, retail, and small businesses, supported by attractions like the HUB Station Campus, which is home to Hudson Arts Center. The Arts Center contains The Mitford Museum and Happy Endings Bookstore, a dinner theater, an art gallery, a wine pub, specialty shops, and a business center for entrepreneurs. The town offers parks, recreational facilities, and seasonal festivals like the Hudson Butterfly Festival; Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute provides higher education and workforce training for Hudson and the neighboring communities. Hudson’s location near U.S. Route 321 offers easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and the Raleigh triangle outdoor recreation of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the town appeals to families, retirees, and professionals for its safety, affordability, and strong sense of community. Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Community Engagement
Launch the Mitford Discovery Center as a vibrant, multi-generational resource for learning, storytelling, and cultural celebration. Establish and cultivate partnerships with community organizations, businesses, schools, and cultural institutions to expand programming and outreach. Build public awareness of the Museum & Discovery Center locally, regionally, and nationally. Represent the Museum & Discovery Center at public events, fostering productive partnerships with donors, media, and community stakeholders. Develop and implement a strategic plan for long-term growth and sustainability. Develop and implement a strategic communications plan to grow public awareness and engagement. Exhibits, Programming & Visitor Experience
Guide the design and curation of exhibits and classroom spaces in the new Discovery Center to create immersive, engaging, intergenerational experiences. Develop and manage a robust slate of programs and events for all ages, including storytelling workshops, folk craft sessions, genealogy classes, oral history projects, and dance, photography, music, and theatrical appreciation programs. Ensure that all programs align with the Museum’s mission to celebrate literacy, creativity, and community. Partner with national institutions like the Smithsonian and the American Museum of Natural History to bring world-class traveling exhibitions to the region. Oversee the development of the Mitford Oral History Library, capturing local voices and preserving Appalachian stories for generations to come. Welcome and engage fans of Jan Karon’s Mitford novels, sharing the power of place of her hometown in rural North Carolina. Lead fundraising efforts in partnership with the board, including grant writing, donor cultivation, sponsorships, and special events. Lead capital campaign efforts, cultivating major gifts and sponsorships tied to naming opportunities and signature programming. Develop a strong online presence, including the Museum & Discovery Center website and social media platforms. Oversee branding, marketing, and communications to increase visibility and engagement. Oversee daily operations, ensuring excellent visitor experiences. Hire, train, and manage staff, including the bookstore manager and curatorial manager. Ensure compliance with non-profit regulations, financial reporting, and business best practices. Provide regular board and financial reports, tracking progress toward organizational goals. Required Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Deep passion for the mission of the Mitford Museum & Discovery Center, with a strong appreciation for storytelling, creativity, and Appalachian culture. - Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, history, nonprofit management, education, arts administration, or a related field. - Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in a museum, cultural institution, nonprofit, educational organization, or similar setting. - Demonstrated success in fundraising, including grant writing, individual giving, and corporate sponsorships. - Proven experience designing and managing engaging programs for diverse, multi-generational audiences. - Strong operational and financial management experience, including budgeting, compliance, and staff supervision. Skills & Abilities
- Entrepreneurial mindset and excitement for launching and growing a major new initiative. - Exceptional communication and storytelling skills to inspire and engage stakeholders, donors, and the broader public. - Visionary leadership with a collaborative, inclusive approach to working with staff, volunteers, and partners. - Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities. - Proficiency in digital engagement tools, including website management, social media, and marketing platforms. - Ability to build partnerships and foster meaningful relationships with businesses, schools, community leaders, and cultural organizations. Preferred Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Master’s degree in a relevant field such as museum studies, public history or education. With an understanding in nonprofit management - Experience leading a capital campaign or overseeing a major expansion or launch. - Background in Appalachian history, culture, or the literary arts. - Experience with exhibit design, educational programming, or oral history collection. Skills & Abilities
- Familiarity with nonprofit law and compliance. - Experience working with a board of directors and community advisory committees. - Comfort with public speaking, media engagement, and event hosting. - Multilingual abilities, particularly Spanish, a plus. This is a rare opportunity to lead the launch of a major new cultural institution with deep community impact. -Salary:Starting at $60,000, commensurate with experience -Employment Type:Full-time -Benefits:Paid vacation and sick leave -References:Please provide names, titles, and contact information for three professional references We value passion, leadership potential, and vision as much as traditional qualifications. If you’re excited about the chance to shape the Mitford Discovery Center’s future and believe you’d be a great fit—even if you don’t meet every requirement—we strongly encourage you to apply. For more information about The Mitford Museum & Discovery Center, please visit themitfordmuseum.org,
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Location: Hudson, North Carolina Reports to: Board of Directors and Founder Position Overview
The Mitford Museum & Discovery Center seeks a dynamic, hands-on, and visionary leader to serve as its inaugural Executive Director—a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape a new cultural institution from the ground up. Rooted in the beloved storytelling tradition of Jan Karon’s Mitford novels, the new Discovery Center will be a creative and educational gathering place designed to uplift the community through intergenerational learning, artistic expression, and shared history. As we prepare to break ground on this major expansion across the street from the existing Mitford Museum, the Executive Director will lead the creation and launch of a transformational space for literacy, storytelling, the arts, and community engagement in the foothills of North Carolina. This role combines entrepreneurial leadership with a deep commitment to inclusivity, education, and the arts. The Executive Director oversees the Museum’s strategic vision and day-to-day operations, collaborates closely with the founder, builds dynamic programs that attract diverse audiences, and leads fundraising efforts to ensure long-term success. The Museum is nearing completion of the first phase of a $2.4M campaign. This is an ideal position for a creative, collaborative leader excited to make a lasting impact on the cultural life of Caldwell County and the state of North Carolina. About the Mitford Museum
Founded in 2021, the Mitford Museum is dedicated to advancing the common good through literacy, creativity, and community. The Museum is located in The Hudson Arts Center on the HUB Station campus, an 80-year-old former school campus that has been transformed by the town of Hudson, NC, into a 21st-century hub for artistic creation, business development, and enjoyment. The Mitford Museum (TMM) anchors the Arts Center with exhibition galleries and Happy Endings Bookstore. TMM has welcomed visitors from all 50 states and abroad and hosts ambitious annual events such as The Candace Freeland Photography of Merit Award, the Mitford Spring Tea, and the GetLit! literary festival. Programming provides support for The Mitford Museum while also giving back to the community. Throughout the year, the museum hosts workshops, art and photography exhibitions, readings, and performances that celebrate creators of all ages. We have partnered with StoryCorps to build an Oral History Library to collect, document, and preserve the stories of our local and broader communities with the StoryCorps Archive and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. When our founder’s dreams and ambitions exceeded our square footage at the Arts Center, the Mitford Museum took on the challenge of creating the Mitford Discovery Center (MDC). MDC will welcome the community to explore world-class traveling exhibitions, create together in a hands-on creative arts space, and share stories in the Mitford Oral History Library, all housed in a 7,000-square-foot building designed by North Carolina architects to excite and inspire: Exhibitions from venues such as the Smithsonian and the American Museum of Natural History will bring the world to the foothills of North Carolina. Our creative arts space will host poetry readings, writing workshops, musical jam sessions, photography, and intergenerational art programs, establishing MDC as a place where North Carolina’s culture is lived and reimagined. MDC will include space for recording, listening, and interpreting histories collected through the StoryCorps Oral History library, established at TMM in 2024. We will also offer genealogy and heritage related activities in partnership with the Caldwell Heritage Museum and other history-related organizations. About Hudson, NC
Hudson is a small town of approximately 3,700 residents in Caldwell County, North Carolina. It sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains within the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton metro area. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, family events, and active civic life, Hudson blends suburban and rural living with access to nearby urban amenities. Its economy includes manufacturing, retail, and small businesses, supported by attractions like the HUB Station Campus, which is home to Hudson Arts Center. The Arts Center contains The Mitford Museum and Happy Endings Bookstore, a dinner theater, an art gallery, a wine pub, specialty shops, and a business center for entrepreneurs. The town offers parks, recreational facilities, and seasonal festivals like the Hudson Butterfly Festival; Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute provides higher education and workforce training for Hudson and the neighboring communities. Hudson’s location near U.S. Route 321 offers easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and the Raleigh triangle outdoor recreation of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the town appeals to families, retirees, and professionals for its safety, affordability, and strong sense of community. Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Community Engagement
Launch the Mitford Discovery Center as a vibrant, multi-generational resource for learning, storytelling, and cultural celebration. Establish and cultivate partnerships with community organizations, businesses, schools, and cultural institutions to expand programming and outreach. Build public awareness of the Museum & Discovery Center locally, regionally, and nationally. Represent the Museum & Discovery Center at public events, fostering productive partnerships with donors, media, and community stakeholders. Develop and implement a strategic plan for long-term growth and sustainability. Develop and implement a strategic communications plan to grow public awareness and engagement. Exhibits, Programming & Visitor Experience
Guide the design and curation of exhibits and classroom spaces in the new Discovery Center to create immersive, engaging, intergenerational experiences. Develop and manage a robust slate of programs and events for all ages, including storytelling workshops, folk craft sessions, genealogy classes, oral history projects, and dance, photography, music, and theatrical appreciation programs. Ensure that all programs align with the Museum’s mission to celebrate literacy, creativity, and community. Partner with national institutions like the Smithsonian and the American Museum of Natural History to bring world-class traveling exhibitions to the region. Oversee the development of the Mitford Oral History Library, capturing local voices and preserving Appalachian stories for generations to come. Welcome and engage fans of Jan Karon’s Mitford novels, sharing the power of place of her hometown in rural North Carolina. Lead fundraising efforts in partnership with the board, including grant writing, donor cultivation, sponsorships, and special events. Lead capital campaign efforts, cultivating major gifts and sponsorships tied to naming opportunities and signature programming. Develop a strong online presence, including the Museum & Discovery Center website and social media platforms. Oversee branding, marketing, and communications to increase visibility and engagement. Oversee daily operations, ensuring excellent visitor experiences. Hire, train, and manage staff, including the bookstore manager and curatorial manager. Ensure compliance with non-profit regulations, financial reporting, and business best practices. Provide regular board and financial reports, tracking progress toward organizational goals. Required Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Deep passion for the mission of the Mitford Museum & Discovery Center, with a strong appreciation for storytelling, creativity, and Appalachian culture. - Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, history, nonprofit management, education, arts administration, or a related field. - Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in a museum, cultural institution, nonprofit, educational organization, or similar setting. - Demonstrated success in fundraising, including grant writing, individual giving, and corporate sponsorships. - Proven experience designing and managing engaging programs for diverse, multi-generational audiences. - Strong operational and financial management experience, including budgeting, compliance, and staff supervision. Skills & Abilities
- Entrepreneurial mindset and excitement for launching and growing a major new initiative. - Exceptional communication and storytelling skills to inspire and engage stakeholders, donors, and the broader public. - Visionary leadership with a collaborative, inclusive approach to working with staff, volunteers, and partners. - Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities. - Proficiency in digital engagement tools, including website management, social media, and marketing platforms. - Ability to build partnerships and foster meaningful relationships with businesses, schools, community leaders, and cultural organizations. Preferred Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Master’s degree in a relevant field such as museum studies, public history or education. With an understanding in nonprofit management - Experience leading a capital campaign or overseeing a major expansion or launch. - Background in Appalachian history, culture, or the literary arts. - Experience with exhibit design, educational programming, or oral history collection. Skills & Abilities
- Familiarity with nonprofit law and compliance. - Experience working with a board of directors and community advisory committees. - Comfort with public speaking, media engagement, and event hosting. - Multilingual abilities, particularly Spanish, a plus. This is a rare opportunity to lead the launch of a major new cultural institution with deep community impact. -Salary:Starting at $60,000, commensurate with experience -Employment Type:Full-time -Benefits:Paid vacation and sick leave -References:Please provide names, titles, and contact information for three professional references We value passion, leadership potential, and vision as much as traditional qualifications. If you’re excited about the chance to shape the Mitford Discovery Center’s future and believe you’d be a great fit—even if you don’t meet every requirement—we strongly encourage you to apply. For more information about The Mitford Museum & Discovery Center, please visit themitfordmuseum.org,
#J-18808-Ljbffr