Overview
Position Title: Executive Director - Norwegian American Historical Association. Department: NAHA - Norwegian-American Historical Association. Classification: Exempt. FTE: 1.0. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Occasional evening and weekend hours for special events. Travel: Up to 3% of work schedule (local Twin Cities metro area, with minimal national and international travel). Work Location: Hybrid. WFH 1-2 days a week. Will work on campus fully for the first three months. Salary Range: $68,000 - $77,000.
Position Overview
The Norwegian American Historical Association (NAHA) seeks an experienced and dynamic Executive Director to lead this nationally recognized organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Norwegian-American history and culture. This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of history, culture, and community engagement while managing a vital cultural institution. NAHA inspires connections to Norwegian-American experiences through discovery, scholarship and stewardship. Archives, publications, educational programs and research are central to its mission. Located at St. Olaf College, NAHA serves as a vital resource for scholars, students, and the public interested in Norwegian-American heritage. Its website is located at
Essential Job Duties
- Leadership & Governance: Manage board affairs including institutional records, reports, and quarterly board meetings; facilitate strategic planning initiatives, task forces, and committees; represent NAHA at campus and public meetings.
- Financial Management: Prepare and monitor budgets for organizational operations; issue regular financial reports to the board and stakeholders; oversee bookkeeping functions and ensure fiscal responsibility.
- Development & Fundraising: Lead member recruitment and donor relations initiatives; manage annual fund appeals and major gift campaigns; research, write, and manage grant applications; oversee special fundraising campaigns from planning through stewardship; maintain comprehensive donor records and correspondence.
- Communications & Public Relations: Oversee production of quarterly newsletters, e-newsletters, and annual reports; manage social media presence and website content; coordinate advertising and publicity efforts; deliver presentations to public audiences as requested.
- Publications Program: Manage NAHA's publications program including budget oversight; coordinate contracts with editors, vendors, and co-publishers; oversee book sales, inventory management, and distribution.
- Event Planning & Management: Plan and execute NAHA events including conferences and special programs; manage event marketing, registration, and logistics; secure presenters, volunteers, venues, and catering services.
- Supervision & Collaboration: Supervise NAHA staff including Borgen Family Archivist, archivists, editor, and student employees; coordinate work of interns and volunteers; facilitate relationships with contractors and consultants.
- General Administration: Respond to phone and email inquiries from the public; purchase supplies and equipment as needed; ensure compliance with organizational and institutional requirements; support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Supervision
- Reports to the Associate Provost. This position supervises both staff and student workers.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience; valid driver's license and ability to meet St. Olaf College driver authorization criteria; valid passport.
- Experience: Strong knowledge of and/or demonstrated interest in Norwegian-American history and culture; 2+ years of sales and/or marketing experience, OR 2+ years of non-profit development/fundraising experience; excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong organizational and project management abilities; proficiency with database management and office software.
Preferred Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in History, Scandinavian Studies, Norwegian, or related field; graduate degree.
- Experience: Knowledge of Norwegian language; supervisory experience; experience in non-profit environment including working with boards, volunteers, and development activities; experience working in an academic setting; grant writing experience; event planning and management experience.
Prerequisites
- Employment in this position is conditioned upon successful completion of a background check which may include criminal background checks, reference checks, verification of work history, verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, a motor vehicle check, verification of DOT certification, a credit check, employment eligibility verification, and/or a pre-employment physical. Whether a background check is deemed successfully completed will be at the sole discretion of St. Olaf College. Please note, St. Olaf College reserves the right to conduct periodic background checks at its sole discretion.
Disclaimer
- This position may require you to report early, stay late or work different shifts depending on staffing levels. It may also require you to perform all essential job functions whenever needed and during campus emergencies when necessary.
- This job description is for general information purposes. It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position. This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College, with or without prior notice.
- Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the hire is complete. We accept only online applications.
About Us
Join Our Community - Work at St. Olaf!
Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul. The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.
The college offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 9% retirement match, contributions to eligible employees' health savings accounts, a significant tuition discount (up to a 90% reduction) at ACM, GLCA, and ELCA colleges and universities for employees' children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of the college's benefits, please see the summary of our benefits here:
To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.
A summary of the Flexible Work Policy for staff:
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Nondiscrimination Policy
St. Olaf College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon these and any other legally protected status in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admissions and employment. Inquiries about this nondiscrimination policy may be referred to St. Olaf College\'s Director of Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both. St. Olaf\'s Director of Equal Opportunity (who serves as the College\'s Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 Coordinator) is Pamela McDowell, Tomson Hall, , .
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