Title: Executive Director
Organization: The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA)
Reports to: NSCDA President
Location: Washington, DC
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Compensation: $120,000 to 140,000 annually + Benefits; relocation assistance not available
Start Date: September 2025

Mission

Women opening doors to America’s history through preservation, education, and service to inspire a shared love of country.

Organizational Overview

The NSCDA is a national lineage organization committed to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotic service. With a federation of corporate societies across the United States, the NSCDA supports historic properties and programs—including the Great American Treasures (GAT) initiative—that connect the public with our shared American story.

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the chief administrative officer of the NSCDA, providing strategic, financial, and operational leadership to the national organization. This is not a museum director role; rather, it is an association-wide leadership position responsible for guiding the NSCDA through a critical period of transformation and sustainability.

The successful candidate will be an experienced executive with business acumen, a collaborative style, and a passion for history, nonprofit leadership, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the President and Executive Committee to develop and execute effective strategic plans.
• Foster a culture of innovation and accountability across national programs and initiatives.
• Lead efforts to align mission delivery with long-term financial sustainability.

Financial Management

• Propose and manage budgets, cash flow, and annual audits in coordination with finance staff and external consultants.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of investments and annual draws.
• Identify opportunities for revenue generation and cost containment.

Income and Fund Development

• Develop, implement, and support diversified income and fundraising strategies in collaboration with staff, volunteers, and consultants.
• Make the case for giving to a wide range of stakeholders, including Dames, foundations, and major donors.
• Identify and pursue grants that support the NSCDA mission and activities.

Staff and Organizational Management

• Supervise national staff to ensure clarity of roles and alignment with priorities.
• Promote a positive, high-performance workplace culture with strong staff development and retention.
• Oversee staffing transitions and optimize capacity for core and earned-revenue operations.

Board and Member Relations

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the President and Executive Committee.
• Support governance structures, committee work, and member engagement across the Society.
• Respond to the needs and interests of diverse stakeholders, including multiple “bosses” within a federated structure.
• Consistently engage with and support the work of the corporate societies.

Communications and Representation

• Represent NSCDA nationally and serve as an ambassador for its programs and mission.
• Support internal and external communications, including messaging related to Great American Treasures and Dumbarton House.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 7–10 years of nonprofit leadership experience
• Proven ability to manage budgets, finances, and strategic plans
• Demonstrated success with fundraising and/or business development
• Experience reporting to or working closely with a board
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated success in developing, leading, and inspiring staff
• Entrepreneurial mindset with problem-solving orientation
• Understanding of historic preservation, education, or heritage tourism is a plus
• Prior experience in one of the following roles may be especially relevant:
  • Executive director or senior nonprofit leader
  • Administrator of a complex membership organization
  • Executive director or senior leader of a lineage organization

To Apply

Provide your cover letter, resume, and three references to Meredith Handakas, meredith@bryanandjordan.com, and David Crosson, david@bryanandjordan.com.  no later than July 7, 2025

Equal Opportunity Statement

The NSCDA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.