Executive Director

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

1. Seasonal Population Management: Ability to design programming, staffing, membership, and fundraising strategies tailored to peak vs. off‑season dynamics
2. 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
3. Historic Property Stewardship: Understanding of things like landscape design, architecture preservation, and the complexities of maintaining a multidimensional physical site
4. Cultural Programming Expertise: Experience developing compelling exhibitions, residencies, performances, or educational programs that reflect LongHouse’s focus on art, design, and nature
5. Community Navigation Skills: Ability to build trust and collaboration across East End cultural institutions, civic leaders, local residents, artists, gardeners, and schools

Core Responsibilities

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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

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