Employment & Internship Opportunities

Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center is a vibrant, growing organization – and a great place to work! The following opportunties are available:

Executive Director (full time)

Education Associate (full time)

Executive Director

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for the overall leadership of the organization, shaping and executing KTM&HC’s strategic vision in consultation with the Board of Directors. The ED ensures that the organization’s financial, operational, administrative, and strategic infrastructure provides a solid foundation for KTM&HC to continue delivering on its important mission. This position reports to KTM&HC’s Board of Directors.

The ideal candidate is a visionary and engaging leader with a deep passion for museums and history, possessing a strong background in nonprofit administration and a proven record in fundraising and development.

The ED must be collaborative and capable of building relationships built on trust and respect with staff, donors, community leaders, and the Board. This person will demonstrate proven success in managing and inspiring cross-functional teams, driving a culture of continuous improvement, and maintaining a positive, collaborative, and transparent organizational culture.

The ED will work with the Board and a seasoned professional staff to refine and execute an existing five-year strategic plan. Leading development efforts, fundraising, grant writing, and capital campaigns, the ED will ensure the museum’s fiscal health through sound budgeting, oversight, and reporting, demonstrating financial fluency and deep knowledge of fiduciary obligations.

The ED will serve as a thought leader and advocate for history relevance on both a local and national level, expanding KTM&HC’s visibility and reach. This leader will represent KTM&HC in the broader community, cultivating partnerships with peer organizations, civic groups, and the tourism sector.

Key Priorities

• Financial Stability and Growth: Stabilize finances and significantly increase earned and contributed revenue. Help close budget gaps by identifying ways to reduce expenses.
• Organizational Alignment and Trust: Build and sustain strong trust, respect, and transparency with staff and the Board of Directors.
• External Relations and Engagement: Cultivate and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including community leaders, strategic partners, funders, and major donors.
• Strategic Planning: Work with the Board and staff leadership to ensure implementation of existing five-year strategic plan and refine and update as needed.

Read the Complete Job Description

Experience, Attributes, and Qualifications

The ideal candidate brings a combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for successful performance. Typical qualifications include:

• Three to five years of senior leadership or executive experience in a nonprofit cultural or educational organization (or similar institution), including Board relations, nonprofit governance best practices, and committee engagement.
• Successful experience overseeing and managing the administrative, financial, and operational responsibilities of a museum, nonprofit, or similar organization
• Extensive fundraising experience, including success with major donors, grants, and sponsorships.
• A warm, diplomatic, and collaborative leadership style, with a history of fostering a positive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team and with a diverse group of individuals.
• The ability to influence key stakeholders, negotiate outcomes, maintain composure under stressful situations, and engage in self-evaluation for professional growth.
• Ability to approach issues and problems with flexibility and unique approaches, openness to different perspectives, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Excellent organization and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects and conflicting constraints.
• Deep passion for history and a strong commitment to the museum’s mission.
• Advanced degree in history, museum studies, business administration, or related fields.

 Terms of Employment & Compensation

• Work Location: In person at Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center, 152 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut
• Job Type: Full-time, Monday to Friday. Weekends and evenings as needed
• Annual Salary: $75,000 – $90,000

How to Apply

Submit the following to jobs@keelertavernmuseum.org. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

• A cover letter expressing interest in the position and giving brief examples of past related experience.
• A résumé with a summary of accomplishments.
• The names and contact information for three professional references

Education Associate

The Education Associate is a key member of the museum team who develops, coordinates, and implements a variety of museum learning experiences at KTM&HC. Through contributions to onsite and outreach adult and youth programming, museum interpretation, visitor services, and research, the Education Associate ensures a welcoming, engaging, and educational experience for all visitors. This position reports to the Director of Education & Interpretation.

Essential Responsibilities

• Build community with diverse audiences by sharing KTM&HC site history and former resident stories through storytelling, dialogue, and inquiry.
• Collaborate with staff to develop and deliver high-quality, interactive educational history programming for preK-12 students.
• Develop and lead youth programs, including open house activities and summer camps.
• Lead engaging, dialogue-based museum tours that connect local and national history and make connections between past and present.
• Support the creation and delivery of various adult programming initiatives, including group tours, speaker lectures, organizational partner collaborations, and community events.
• Ensure positive visitor experiences through front desk staffing.
• Provide administrative support for education and other departments, including scheduling/data entry in Altru/CRM.
• Participate in ongoing training and continuous learning.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in education, history, museum studies, or a related field.
• 1–2 years of experience developing and delivering education programs in a museum or cultural setting.
• Familiarity with museum education strategies and best practices.
• Commitment to KTM&HC’s mission and interpretive goals.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills.
• Strong customer service skills and enthusiasm for working with learners of all ages.
• Works well independently and as a member of a small, dynamic, highly collaborative team.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive with a strong sense of initiative.
• Anticipates and responds to situations with flexibility, adaptability, and problem-solving.
• Actively seeks opportunities to improve programs and procedures and is enthusiastic about innovation and change.
• Ability to ascend/descend stairs and move objects up to 20 lbs.
• Must pass background check.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in education, history, museum studies, or a related field.
• History of professional employment in education, museums, libraries, or cultural organizations.
• Familiarity with CRM/donor management software (Altru preferred).

 Terms of Employment & Compensation

• Work Location: In person at Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center, 152 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut; some duties may be performed remotely
• Job Type: Full-time, with some weekends and evenings
• Benefits: Paid vacation and sick leave; professional development opportunities offered
• Starting Hourly Rate: $18, with opportunities for growth

How to Apply

Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center is an equal opportunity employer.

To apply, email a letter of interest and résumé to Director of Education & Interpretation Katie Burton at kburton@keelertavernmuseum.org.