Position Summary
The Chief Strategy and Programs Officer serves as a key member of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History’s leadership team and works closely with the Executive Director and CEO to advance the Museum’s mission, strategic priorities, and organizational effectiveness. The Chief Strategy and Programs Officer provides leadership and oversight for the Museum’s mission-related programs, strategic plan implementation, department management, and special projects.

Mission-Related Department Management and Organizational Performance (35%)

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Exhibition, Education, and Cultural Sustainability departments. The Chief Strategy and Programs Officer will have three direct reports and oversee a total of 20 FT/PT staff
• Ensure departments are meeting goals, deadlines, and performance expectations.
• Demonstrate exceptional leadership skills in motivating staff, supporting professional development, delegating tasks, encouraging independent problem-solving by individuals and teams and providing an understanding of the institutional vision.
• Monitor departmental budgets and resource allocation.
• Work with department leaders to establish priorities and accountability measures.
• Ensure projects and programs remain on schedule and within budget.
• Foster collaboration and alignment across departments.
• Recommend operational improvements and organizational efficiencies.

Strategic Plan Implementation (25%)

Working closely with the Executive Director & CEO, the Chief Strategy and Programs Officer will:

• Provide leadership for institutional planning aligned with the strategic plan including setting annual priorities and identifying key initiatives.
• Monitor strategic plan progress and report outcomes to leadership and the Board.
• Coordinate cross-departmental strategic projects.
• Lead efforts to expand Museum engagement throughout Fairfield County.
• Develop partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and civic leaders.

Museum Administration and Leadership (20%)

• Support overall museum management and administration.
• Aid the Executive Director & CEO and the Executive Assistant on the management and stewardship of the Board of Trustees.
• Attend quarterly Board Meetings and the Annual Meeting
• Work with specific Board committees as staff liaison as assigned.
• Support HR, policy implementation, accounting, budgeting, and routine business operations.
• Develop and improve organizational systems and workflows.
• Along with the Executive Director and CEO, serve as a spokesperson for the Museum in the community, the field, and the media; present at professional conferences and conventions; attend community and civic gatherings on behalf of the organization; and play an active role in sharing the Museum’s work with the field while staying abreast of developments in the museum profession.

Advancement, Marketing, and Outreach (10%)

Working closely with the Executive Director and CEO, the Chief Advancement Officer, and the Advancement department, the Chief Strategy and Programs Officer will:

• Participate in donor cultivation, stewardship, and relationship management activities.
• Support fundraising efforts, campaigns, and special events.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications initiatives.
• Represent the Museum at community events, outreach activities, and media appearances.
• Increase awareness, attendance, membership, and community engagement.

Project and Organizational Effectiveness Management (10%)

• Lead high-priority institutional projects assigned by the CEO, such as developing plans for a future renovation of the grounds and facilities.
• Coordinate project teams, consultants, and external partners.
• Develop project plans, timelines, metrics, and reporting mechanisms.
• Identify and implement improvements to organizational effectiveness and capacity.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of senior management experience, including staff management; experience in a history museum or other cultural nonprofit organization preferred.
• Demonstrated project leadership, including the ability to lead strategically, think creatively, demonstrate initiative, and attend to details.
• Demonstrated achievements as an adaptive change agent, collaborator, coach, and team and coalition-builder
• Superior communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a capacity for managing and leading people with diverse backgrounds, views and work styles
• A proven record of managing departments that provide engaging and mission-focused programs;
• A strong commitment to providing programming to as many audiences as possible across the state;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks as well as personalities at one time;
• Familiarity with historical, arts or other cultural organizations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trends and progressive practices in the museum field.
• Understanding fundraising techniques, grant application procedures, and funding sources.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and a history of building equitable and inclusive programming.
• Works well in a deeply collaborative, highly fluid culture.
• The highest standards of professional integrity;
• Experience with Microsoft 365 platform preferred
• Ability to travel to off-site locations as required by position responsibilities.
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field required; Master’s Degree in relevant field preferred.

For additional information

Please visit:  https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/job-internships/

Compensation
$90,000 – $110,000 per year

Benefits
Eligible for generous full-time employee benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, life and short- and long-term disability insurance, paid vacation and sick time and participation in employer-contributing 403b plan.

Schedule
Full time, 35 hours per week, on-site in Hartford, CT. Occasional nights and weekends to support programming. The Museum environment involves both indoor and occasional outdoor working conditions.

Other
Review of applications will commence immediately and continue until position is filled. Final candidate subject to background and reference check.

How to apply
Please email cover letter and resume to Susan Presutti, Director of Human Resources, spresutti@connecticutmuseum.org, by October 2, 2026.

The Connecticut Museum is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer. Candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.