Director, Historic Sites

JOB TITLE: Director, Historic Sites

OPEN TO: This job is open to current MNHS staff.

LOCATION: Candidate will have an office space at the MNHS site closest to their residence or the History Center, but will also be traveling to sites regularly.

COMPENSATION: Typical starting range $107, $134,028.00 annually.

STATUS & HOURS: Full-time, regular (approximately 2080 annual hours) position.

BENEFITS:  Eligible to participate in State Employee Group Insurance Program and a retirement program with employer contribution.  Generous vacation and sick time accruals with additional paid holidays.

DESIGNATION: Supervisory

POSTING DATE: December 5, 2025

DEADLINE DATE: December 12, 2025

TO APPLY: Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Society's career center at  and include a resume and cover letter by the application deadline date.  

DESCRIPTION:  This position exists to provide high level leadership, conscientious stewardship, and professional management to the operations, administration, and programming areas of Greater Minnesota sites and Partnership sites. 

The Director, Historic Sites supervises the department's 5 site managers, partnership sites manager, and 19 total sites; assists and facilitates the work of the Experience Development department to research and develop interpretive and special event programming and training; assists and facilitates the work of Capital Planning & Archaeology to maintain and preserve historic sites; assists and directs staff with management of human resources; and fosters communication between the sites and the institution. The Director, Historic Sites will also work with a variety of MNHS personnel to develop divisional and institutional policies that will help the Minnesota Historical Society meet both its strategic priorities and short-range goals; in particular, it is part of a historic sites and facilities operations central management team that coordinates the common activities of the division.

The coordination of the work of the Historic Sites & Partnerships department with other MNHS departments is vital to the sites' success and to MNHS as a whole. The Director, Historic Sites works with the Director & CEO; Leadership Team; Senior Directors;  along with other managers, and staff across MNHS divisions to contribute to institutional program direction and to resolve issues that may evolve from conflicting objectives of the departments or divisions.

SUMMARY OF WORK:  1) Provide administrative leadership to site staff and supervise 5 site managers, ensuring site management and operations are aligned with MNHS strategic priorities and cultural values; 2) Work with Partnership Sites Manager to maintain MNHS partnership site agreements, contracts, and relationships; 3) Contribute to the development and sustainability of Historic Sites & Partnership Sites; 4) Represent the Department and Division in internal MNHS task forces and committees; and 5) Represent MNHS to constituent groups and peers while building community to support historic sites and museums.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in history, museum studies, education, or related field.

• Seven years of experience in museum management in progressively responsible positions, including experience in managing human and financial resources.

• Leadership experience, knowledge and ability in the emerging technologies shaping the fields of historic sites, exhibits, historic preservation, and historic interpretation.

• Well-developed interpersonal, communication and managerial skills necessary to administer a high quality program, develop budgets, and coordinate program needs in a large historic sites structure.

• Ability to work together with a broad range of constituencies including visitors, schools, donors, trustees, researchers, historic site and museum professionals, state and local government officials, and the general public.

• Thorough knowledge of and the ability to manage the process of long- and short-range program and financial planning.

• Experience in managing large, multiple, complex projects through periods of growth, reduction, and change.

• Highly developed interpersonal skills, including ability to serve on teams and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Experience creating networks and connections among a widely dispersed staff and within local communities.

• Experience using information technology to improve communication and work processes.

• Valid Driver's License.

• Must be willing and able to travel to multiple locations and work a flexible schedule.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Highly developed project management skills.

• Experience supervising staff in multiple locations.

• Business/entrepreneurial experience, and/or knowledge of how to grow earned income.

• Familiarity with MUNIS.  

• Experience with development work, fundraising, and writing grants.

• Ability to manage change to produce positive outcomes that are aligned with organizational mission and resources.

• Broad knowledge of United States and Minnesota history.

• Experience with public program implementation.

• Understanding on how to determine the needs of underserved communities.

• Experience serving as an organization's spokesperson.

Should you have questions with the application process, email  or call MNHS Job Line at

At MNHS, we don't just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.