LongHouse Reserve
Executive Director – LongHouse Reserve
About LongHouse Reserve
A 16-acre living museum where art meets nature, LongHouse Reserve is a unique cultural institution that integrates world‑class sculpture with innovative garden design. Founded by Jack Lenor Larsen, our mission emphasizes “living with art in all forms.”
Position Overview LongHouse Reserve seeks an accomplished, visionary, and operationally excellent Executive Director to lead the next chapter of growth for this beloved cultural institution. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director is responsible for setting and advancing the institution’s artistic and strategic vision; ensuring operational and financial sustainability; deepening community and donor engagement; and stewarding LongHouse’s unique 16‑acre sculpture garden and historic founder legacy.
This role requires an agile leader who understands the complexities of a seasonal yet globally engaged community, thrives in philanthropic and cultural networks, and can blend artistic understanding, excellence in community engagement and strong business discipline.
Unique Skills & Competencies
Seasonal Population Management: Ability to design programming, staffing, membership, and fundraising strategies tailored to peak vs. off‑season dynamics
High‑Net‑Worth & Ultra‑High‑Net‑Worth Donor Cultivation: Must be comfortable engaging philanthropists, collectors, and board members who expect a high level of sophistication and relationship‑building
Historic Property Stewardship: Understanding of things like landscape design, architecture preservation, and the complexities of maintaining a multidimensional physical site
Cultural Programming Expertise: Experience developing compelling exhibitions, residencies, performances, or educational programs that reflect LongHouse’s focus on art, design, and nature
Community Navigation Skills: Ability to build trust and collaboration across East End cultural institutions, civic leaders, local residents, artists, gardeners, and schools
Core Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Serve as the primary architect and driver of LongHouse’s strategic plan
Implement a clear roadmap balancing artistic vision, institutional growth, and operational excellence
Partner closely with the Board of Trustees, ensuring transparency, alignment, and strong governance practices
Oversee long‑term financial planning
Develop sustainable revenue streams across admissions, membership, programs, rentals, partnerships and philanthropy
Guide institutional vision
Steward annual operating budget of ~$1.5‑2M with ambitions for future expansion
Development & Fundraising
Oversee all major fundraising initiatives, from annual giving to capital campaigns and special projects
Direct capital campaigns
Cultivate and steward major donors, collectors, and philanthropic partners—locally, nationally, and globally
Cultivate major donors
Strengthen membership programs and donor tiers to expand engagement and retention
Oversee grant writing and foundation relations
Play a major role in the strategy and of fundraising events
Partner with the Board to build LongHouse’s long‑term endowment
Operational Management
Manage and mentor a staff of ~10 across operations, programs, development, finance, facilities, and visitor experience
Manage facilities
Ensure regulatory compliance
Oversee marketing, communications, digital engagement, and brand storytelling
Guide technology initiatives to upgrade systems and technology to increase efficiency, data capture, and member/visitor experience
Maintain community relationships
Programming & Community Engagement
Guide a dynamic, mission‑aligned programming strategy reflecting excellence in art, design, nature, and community engagement
Work with curators, guest artists, designers, and educators to shape compelling seasonal exhibitions, residencies, and events
Engage meaningfully with year‑round residents, second homeowners, and seasonal visitors alike
Expand partnerships with schools, local organizations, and cultural peers across the East End
Develop educational initiatives
Keep LongHouse at the forefront of cultural dialogue and contemporary relevance
Qualifications
10 years of senior leadership experience ideally within a cultural institution, arts nonprofit, museum, botanical garden, design institution, or related field
Demonstrated success in fundraising, including major gifts and donor stewardship
Strong financial and managerial skills with the ability to operate an institution with precision and long‑term stability
Proven ability to inspire and manage a multidisciplinary team
Experience working with a Board of Trustees or equivalent governance body
Deep appreciation for LongHouse’s mission at the intersection of art, design, horticulture, and community
Advanced degree preferred
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range of $150K to $175K commensurate on experience
Comprehensive health insurance
Retirement plan
Professional development opportunities
Paid time off
Please send resumes to info@longhouse.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Position Overview LongHouse Reserve seeks an accomplished, visionary, and operationally excellent Executive Director to lead the next chapter of growth for this beloved cultural institution. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director is responsible for setting and advancing the institution’s artistic and strategic vision; ensuring operational and financial sustainability; deepening community and donor engagement; and stewarding LongHouse’s unique 16‑acre sculpture garden and historic founder legacy.
This role requires an agile leader who understands the complexities of a seasonal yet globally engaged community, thrives in philanthropic and cultural networks, and can blend artistic understanding, excellence in community engagement and strong business discipline.
Unique Skills & Competencies
Seasonal Population Management: Ability to design programming, staffing, membership, and fundraising strategies tailored to peak vs. off‑season dynamics
High‑Net‑Worth & Ultra‑High‑Net‑Worth Donor Cultivation: Must be comfortable engaging philanthropists, collectors, and board members who expect a high level of sophistication and relationship‑building
Historic Property Stewardship: Understanding of things like landscape design, architecture preservation, and the complexities of maintaining a multidimensional physical site
Cultural Programming Expertise: Experience developing compelling exhibitions, residencies, performances, or educational programs that reflect LongHouse’s focus on art, design, and nature
Community Navigation Skills: Ability to build trust and collaboration across East End cultural institutions, civic leaders, local residents, artists, gardeners, and schools
Core Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Serve as the primary architect and driver of LongHouse’s strategic plan
Implement a clear roadmap balancing artistic vision, institutional growth, and operational excellence
Partner closely with the Board of Trustees, ensuring transparency, alignment, and strong governance practices
Oversee long‑term financial planning
Develop sustainable revenue streams across admissions, membership, programs, rentals, partnerships and philanthropy
Guide institutional vision
Steward annual operating budget of ~$1.5‑2M with ambitions for future expansion
Development & Fundraising
Oversee all major fundraising initiatives, from annual giving to capital campaigns and special projects
Direct capital campaigns
Cultivate and steward major donors, collectors, and philanthropic partners—locally, nationally, and globally
Cultivate major donors
Strengthen membership programs and donor tiers to expand engagement and retention
Oversee grant writing and foundation relations
Play a major role in the strategy and of fundraising events
Partner with the Board to build LongHouse’s long‑term endowment
Operational Management
Manage and mentor a staff of ~10 across operations, programs, development, finance, facilities, and visitor experience
Manage facilities
Ensure regulatory compliance
Oversee marketing, communications, digital engagement, and brand storytelling
Guide technology initiatives to upgrade systems and technology to increase efficiency, data capture, and member/visitor experience
Maintain community relationships
Programming & Community Engagement
Guide a dynamic, mission‑aligned programming strategy reflecting excellence in art, design, nature, and community engagement
Work with curators, guest artists, designers, and educators to shape compelling seasonal exhibitions, residencies, and events
Engage meaningfully with year‑round residents, second homeowners, and seasonal visitors alike
Expand partnerships with schools, local organizations, and cultural peers across the East End
Develop educational initiatives
Keep LongHouse at the forefront of cultural dialogue and contemporary relevance
Qualifications
10 years of senior leadership experience ideally within a cultural institution, arts nonprofit, museum, botanical garden, design institution, or related field
Demonstrated success in fundraising, including major gifts and donor stewardship
Strong financial and managerial skills with the ability to operate an institution with precision and long‑term stability
Proven ability to inspire and manage a multidisciplinary team
Experience working with a Board of Trustees or equivalent governance body
Deep appreciation for LongHouse’s mission at the intersection of art, design, horticulture, and community
Advanced degree preferred
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range of $150K to $175K commensurate on experience
Comprehensive health insurance
Retirement plan
Professional development opportunities
Paid time off
Please send resumes to info@longhouse.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr