President & CEO (Montpelier)

Lead a National Historic Landmark. Shape the Civic Future.

The Montpelier Foundation seeks a visionary, disciplined and inspiring President and Chief Executive Officer to lead one of America’s most important historic and civic institutions.

Nestled in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Montpelier is the historic home of the fourth President of the United States, James Madison “Father of the Constitution,” and of Dolley Madison, America’s first “First Lady.” Administered by The Montpelier Foundation (TMF), which was formed in 1998, and stewarded as a National Trust Historic Site, Montpelier is both a preserved estate and a living institution, a historic house museum and a center for civic education and dialogue, committed to engaging the public in the ongoing pursuit of liberty, equality, and self-government.

Tens of thousands of visitors from across the United States and around the globe visit Montpelier each year. They learn about James Madison’s political genius and influence on the nation’s founding, about Dolley Madison’s role in shaping the social and political culture of the early republic, and about the generations of enslaved men, women, and children whose labor made life at Montpelier possible. These intertwined and complex stories are interpreted with honesty and depth through rigorous archaeological and documentary research, and they are brought forward into the present through exhibits and the innovative programs and experiences offered by the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution, which was launched onsite in 2003.

Spanning 2,650 acres, Montpelier is more than a museum. It is a place where visitors discuss, study, and learn how the Constitution affects our everyday lives, and a destination for anyone who wants to know more about how the life and times of James Madison changed the world.

The next CEO will lead Montpelier into its next era of relevance, growth, and national impact.

Please Do Not Attempt to Apply Through This Portal. Applicants should submit a CV and a cover letter to

The Opportunity

The President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) reports to the Board of Directors and holds ultimate responsibility for strategic leadership, financial performance, fundraising, governance partnership, and public representation.

The CEO leads a staff of approximately 80 professionals—historians, archaeologists, educators, preservation specialists, curators, and operational staff—supported by a seasoned Chief Operating Officer who oversees day-to-day operations.

This is not a caretaker role. It is a leadership mandate:

• Strengthen financial sustainability
• Expand philanthropic support
• Elevate national visibilityDeepen civic and constitutional impact
• Build trust across diverse stakeholders

The CEO must combine historical sensitivity with business rigor and philanthropic ambition.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Set and execute a bold, multi‑year strategy aligned with mission and financial sustainability.
• Drive revenue growth through visitation, programming, philanthropy, and partnerships.
• Ensure disciplined execution with measurable outcomes.
• Personally lead major gift cultivation and solicitation.
• Strengthen foundation, corporate, and government funding relationships.
• Guide capital and endowment growth initiatives.
• Champion a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Organizational Excellence

• Develop leadership talent and ensure succession depth.
• Partner closely with the COO to ensure operational excellence.
• Maintain strong financial stewardship and risk oversight.

Public Leadership & External Engagement

• Serves as Montpelier’s chief ambassador locally and nationally.
• Engage policymakers, cultural and community leaders, academic institutions and peer organizations.
• Represent Montpelier in media, public forums, and civic conversations.
• Maintain strong relationships with the descendant community/organizations and community partners.

Governance Partnership

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors.
• Provide transparent and strategic counsel.
• Support strong governance practices and board engagement.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate for the CEO position will have the following characteristics:

• 10+ years of senior leadership in managing historic sites, museums, or related non‑profit organizations, higher education, or mission driven organizations of comparable complexity.
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and institutional revenue growth.
• Deep understanding of American history and constitutional principles.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including experience managing multi‑million‑dollar budgets and projects.
• Experience leading through complexity, change, and public scrutiny.
• Exceptional communication skills and the presence to serve as a national spokesperson.
• An inclusive leadership style that builds trust, alignment, and shared purpose.

Montpelier requires a leader who can balance preservation and innovation, tradition and transformation.

Compensation and Benefits

Montpelier offers a comprehensive executive compensation package commensurate with experience.

Benefits include:

• 11 paid holidays annually
• 10 sick days annually
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Short‑and long‑term disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match
• Residential housing available on Montpelier’s grounds

Applicants should submit a CV and a cover letter to

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