Director of Collections & Education
Salary: $85,000-$90,000
Coastal Georgia Historical Society (CGHS) seeks a Director of Collections & Education (DCE) who will manage all aspects of the Society’s collections, including care, conservation, organization, records, storage, exhibition, and security. They will play a lead role on a highly collaborative and enthusiastic team dedicated to our mission-related activities, including archival, curatorial, preservation, education, and public programs. The DCE’s primary responsibility is the management, interpretation, and expansion of CGHS’s nearly 100,000-object Research Collection, which includes archival, archaeological, and architectural items from Coastal Georgia, the American South, and the United States, as well as the Society’s Research Library and Education Collections. CGHS is looking for a team member who will convey a passion for our mission and promote the Society and its museums throughout the community and beyond.
The DCE will make a tangible impact on how Coastal Georgia history is preserved and shared. They will join our talented staff and dedicated volunteers at a beloved local institution that is poised for tremendous growth. The DCE will play a pivotal role in our ambitious strategic plan, centered on deepening our role as a community museum while expanding our influence to become the region’s center for historical research and education.
About the Role
You will report to the Executive Director and be responsible for:
- Collections Management & Development: Managing the CGHS collections, including care, conservation, inventory, registration, accessioning, deaccessioning, and loaning processes; and leading the development and execution of a Collections Development Plan. (Note: CGHS’s Archaeologist will manage the Archaeology Collections with input from the DCE.)
- Dynamic Exhibits: Leading the development of new exhibits, both temporary and permanent, as well as managing the display of objects and text panels in our various museum spaces to new stories and ensure the museums feel fresh.
- Research & Interpretation: Conducting original research on our collections and collaborating to share compelling stories with visitors through various interpretative materials.
- Historic Preservation: Supervising preservation of our historic buildings in conjunction with our Historic Preservation Consultant.
- Education: Supervising the development of CGHS’s expanded education program, including a teacher’s workshop, digital resources, and in-school programming.
- Public Programs: Overseeing CGHS’s public programs, including annual events like our Member Meetings and end-of-summer Chautauqua Lecture Series, as well as special events like our upcoming Semiquincentennial programming.
- Grant Writing: Assisting with writing and administering grants for collections, conservation, exhibits, and related projects.
- Public Engagement: Fielding public inquiries, establishing connections with community organizations, and building relationships with donors, as well as writing for public audiences, both online and in person.
- Team Leadership: Directly managing our Historian, Archaeologist, and Educations & Programs Coordinator, supervising and providing support for their work as well as that of volunteers.
- Strategic Collaboration: Working with Board committees, participating in fundraising, and developing partnerships to advance collection efforts.
Required Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, and Experience:
- Education & Employment: Master’s degree in History, Museum Studies, Public History, or a related field, with at least five years of experience in curation and/or collections in a museum, historical society, or similar organization. A combination of further education or experience can be substituted.
- Collections Expertise: Proficiency in collections management best practices and extensive experience with collections management systems, preferably PastPerfect.
- Curatorial Expertise: Experience researching, developing, and managing engaging and informative history exhibits.
- Historical Knowledge: Knowledge of and passion for American history, with an interest in the history of the American South and Coastal Georgia preferred.
- Historic Preservation: A broad understanding of and desire to learn about historic preservation.
- Funding Acquisition: Experience assisting with writing and administering grants.
- Communication Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication, with comfort in public speaking and the ability to present historical information in a clear and inspiring manner.
- Problem-Solving: A decisive nature, able to anticipate situations, define problems, and formulate rapid solutions.
- Technical Aptitude: Strong proficiency in PastPerfect, Microsoft Office, and digital database functions.
- Leadership & Management: At least three years of supervisory experience, with effective team leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Flexibility and Collaboration: High level of flexibility and collaboration to effectively work in a small-team environment.
Who We Are
Established in 1965, CGHS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to connecting people to Coastal Georgia’s dynamic history through the stories we share and the collections we preserve. We operate the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum and the World War II Home Front Museum; sustain and support Coastal Georgia history through archival, archaeological, and architectural collections; and educate students, visitors, the public, and our members through tours and public programming. CGHS is located on beautiful St. Simons Island, one of the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia. For more information, visit our website at https://www.coastalgeorgiahistory.org/.
Application Instructions
Interested applicants should email a cover letter, CV/resume, and a list of three references (with contact information) to Dr. Whitney Nell Stewart, CGHS Executive Director, at [email protected]. Questions can also be referred to Dr. Stewart.
Timeline: Application review will begin on September 15, 2025.
The position will remain open until filled.
