Museum Director, Concord Historic Site (14924, Grade 22)

The Natural and Historic Resources Division (NHRD) of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Prince George’s County, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is seeking a Museum Manager for the Concord Historic Site. This site, which is currently under renovation and development, is one of the newest additions to NHRD’s vast portfolio of historic resources. Concord is a former tobacco plantation and site of enslavement that will interpret local, state, regional, and national history through the lens of the African American experience, beginning with West African origins, moving to the period of enslavement, and finally, from slavery to freedom.

Concord is one of four historic sites under the purview of the M-NCPPC Black History Program (BHP), a unit within NHRD. Established in 1982, BHP preserves, honors, and celebrates black history in Prince George’s County through original research, exhibitions, collections management, informative programming, and historic property stewardship. The site will expand the physical and programmatic footprint of BHP, while offering an outstanding and exciting opportunity for NHRD to reimagine how black history is interpreted and presented, moving beyond the traditional confines of the historic house museum format.

The successful candidate for this position is a dynamic and strategic leader that will manage a complex project with contending priorities and multiple partners/groups. They will strike a balance between historical research, emerging trends and standard processes in the museum field, and the needs and expectations of local communities to convert a nervous landscape into a site of inclusivity, engagement, and social action.

Examples of duties:

Operations/Administration

1. Serves as project manager during the design, development, and fabrication phases of the new Concord Historic Site, which will include indoor and outdoor exhibits and an outdoor interpretive trail loop that highlights the site’s black history.
2. Acts as a project liaison during the development and renovation stages, ensuring that colleagues across various Divisions within DPR are aware of pertinent updates.
3. Identifies staffing needs and develops phased staffing plan with gradually growing support as the site moves from the development stage to being fully operational.
4. Identifies and seeks external funding sources, working with internal and external partners to draft and submit grant applications to support site development, operations, and programming.
5. Develops short-term and long-term strategic plans for the site. Formulates the museum’s operational plan in accordance with annual plans and goals.

Programming/Outreach/Research and Interpretation

1. Develops innovative programming to move the site through the transition from the development phase to a fully operational public institution.
2. Evaluates site and programming needs throughout various phases and develops recommendations for future programming as needed.
3. Undertakes and supervises ongoing historical and genealogical research for Concord and its related sites and communities to expand the site interpretation beyond existing narratives.
4. Develops and maintains a symbiotic working relationship with a variety of community partners, including members of the Walker Mill and Ridgeley communities, descendants of those enslaved at Concord and related properties, and members of the site’s advisory group.
5. Works with colleagues and external vendors to develop creative and innovative exhibitions and programs.
6. Supports the Black History Program in the implementation of research and programmatic priorities, including Juneteenth, Black History Month, and Maryland Emancipation Day.

Successful Candidate Characteristics

1. Ability to develop solutions using creativity and innovation.
2. Ability to respond quickly and adapt to unexpected challenges.
3. Outstanding interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.
4. Ability to build and sustain coalitions.
5. Highly organized and able to optimally prioritize multiple targeted completion dates and tasks with excellent attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in history, art history, public history, American Studies, African American Studies, museum studies, archaeology, historic preservation, or a related field.
2. Knowledge of African American and/or Maryland history during the eras of enslavement, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
3. Experience in community engagement and public programming.
4. At least five (5) years of advanced experience with historic site/museum administration and management, collection management, and staff supervision.