Executive Director

Overview

The Museum of the Southwest, an AAM‐accredited institution in Midland, Texas, welcomes visitors to explore arts, science, history, and culture through its art museum, planetarium, historic mansion, and children’s museum. The museum, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026, offers a 6‑acre campus with a museum, planetarium, and interactive children’s space. It serves approximately 100,000 visitors annually, relies on earned revenues, private giving, and a $5.2 million endowment, and is governed by a 21‑member Board of Trustees.

Opportunity

The Executive Director (ED) will lead the museum through a pivotal period of transition. The ED, working with the Board and staff, will design and implement a strategic plan, deepen community engagement, grow visitation, and sustain the museum’s mission and financial health.

Responsibilities

• Advance the museum’s mission of immersing visitors in transformative experiences across arts, science, history, and culture.
• Guide the organization in developing and implementing a new strategic plan focused on campus unification, rebranding, financial sustainability, visitor engagement, and community impact.
• Provide budgetary and financial oversight, accountability, and sustainability; manage revenue streams from earned income, philanthropy, and governmental sources.
• Steward a successful fundraising program; actively develop and maintain relationships with donors, sponsors, and the community; prepare for a capital campaign.
• Maintain positive and productive board relations, ensuring transparency and best practices for board development and governance.
• Nurture, support, and manage staff, inspiring teamwork and accomplishment; empower staff to develop leadership skills and advance curatorial, collection, programmatic, and educational directions.
• Cultivate partnerships to support the museum’s programs and new initiatives.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the museum, leading an energetic outreach and marketing program that lifts the museum’s profile and participating in community organizations and/or serving on boards.

Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of executive or management experience in nonprofit environments, preferably at a museum, art gallery, science center, academic institution, or other similar mission‑driven organization.
• Strategic planning acumen; ability to see the big picture and communicate a vision, facilitating consensus on organizational change.
• Proficiency with financial and nonprofit business management; ability to oversee the annual budget, interpret financial statements, and articulate performance to the board and stakeholders.
• Success in fundraising, working with donors, foundations, and corporate & governmental funding sources.
• Management and organizational skills for leading staff and volunteer teams to maintain a culture of trust and respect.
• Strong communication, advocacy, and interpersonal skills to network and connect with audiences.
• Experience working in collaboration with diverse constituents, partner entities, and stakeholders across a broad network.
• B.A. degree or equivalent life experience.

Application Process

To apply in confidence, submit a complete application online at by June 5, 2026.

• A cover letter expressing interest in the position and giving brief examples of past related experience.
• A résumé or C.V.
• The names and contact information for three professional references able to evaluate the candidate’s leadership and work, indicating their relationship with the candidate.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. All applications and nominations are kept confidential; we will not contact references without your permission. EA/EO. For more details, visit:

Compensation

$130,000 – $160,000 per year

Application Deadline

06/05/2026

Contact

Questions should be directed to Dan Yaeger, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference, via

Nominations are welcome.

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