Job Description

The Opportunity

As SBMM celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, the museum is seeking a dynamic leader to guide it through its next chapter. SBMM is poised for continued expansion and innovation and is seeking a new Executive Director to lead this exciting effort.

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) opened its doors on July 29, 2000, inside the Waterfront Center Building in the Santa Barbara Harbor. Founded by local fishermen, divers, and sailors, SBMM began as a small endeavor with a big mission: to celebrate the region’s maritime heritage and key environmental issues. Now recognized as one of the top 10 maritime museums in the U.S. by Marina Life Magazine, SBMM earned its 10-year accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 2021—a distinction held by fewer than 4% of museums nationwide.

The museum’s current five-year Strategic Plan runs through June 2026. The incoming Executive Director will play a pivotal role in collaborating with the Board and staff to shape the next phase of SBMM’s strategic direction. The museum has consistently demonstrated growth and currently boasts over 850 household members, with more than 160 households contributing at the $1,000+ annual giving level as part of the Navigators Circle. Additionally, more than 40 members belong to the Flagship Society, which recognizes planned gifts of $10,000+. The museum currently employs 10 full-time staff and 7 part-time staff, with additional external consultants for specialized services such as accounting, IT support, and human resources.

Mission Statement:

Creating excellent exhibits and educational experiences that celebrate the Santa Barbara Channel and illuminate our rich connections with the sea.

Vision Statement:

To be the recognized flagship institution for information on the Santa Barbara Channel by showcasing our rich maritime history, presenting inspirational programs, and prompting insightful discussions about the future of our coastal community.

The Candidate

Professional Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in museum management, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to provide clear direction to staff. They should be capable of collaborating effectively with the Board of Directors, creating budgets, forecasting revenue and expenses, and analyzing financial statements. Public speaking skills, professional representation of the museum, and cultivating strong relationships with donors, members, and staff are essential. They should demonstrate the ability to empower and hold staff accountable, while fostering a positive work environment.

Personal Traits:

The ideal candidate will have a passion for maritime history and culture and excels in problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building with a diverse range of stakeholders, including Board members, donors, volunteers, and business leaders.

Education and Experience:

A bachelor’s degree is required, with a master’s degree or higher in an appropriate discipline preferred. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of managerial experience, preferably in an Executive Director or Deputy Director role, potentially in a non-profit setting, as well as at least five years of experience in fundraising for nonprofit organizations.

Work Location:

The Executive Director will be based onsite at the Santa Barbara Harbor Waterfront Center Building. Some duties may also be conducted at the museum’s Kieding Collections Chandlery, located approximately two miles from the main museum.

Duties:

Development and Public Relations

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to identify, solicit, and acquire new sources of funding and to build long-term, sustainable sources of income for the organization.
• Actively seek major donor support; maintain and build on-going relationships with existing major donors to ensure continued support.
• Serve as chief liaison with specific SBMM community groups/partners.
• Ensure appropriate representation of SBMM by all employees.
• Develop annual public relations strategies to maintain a high public profile in the local community
• Effectively represent SBMM in the community with governmental bodies, private donors and foundations, the media, and other community-based organizations.

Management and Administration

• Develop and facilitate an active strategic and program planning process as directed by the Board of Directors.
• Develop and implement organizational goals and objectives consistent with the mission and vision of SBMM.
• Compose and administer operational policies as approved by the board, and develop appropriate procedures for implementation.
• Oversee all programs to ensure that program objectives are met.
• Oversee business development relative to organizational stabilization and future program growth.
• Ensure compliance with funding sources and regulatory requirements.
• Provide information for evaluation of the organization’s activities.
• Conduct talks, tours, and provide historical context as needed to community groups, volunteers, staff, and media.
• Represent SBMM to museum-related organizations (CAMM/AAM).
• Maintain working knowledge of museum industry-related issues and local maritime history.
• Make presentations to government entities.

Fiscal

• Develop, recommend, and monitor annual and other budgets.
• Ensure effective audit procedures.
• Approve expenditures.
• Provide for proper handling of cash, fiscal record keeping, and reporting.
• Submit monthly financial statements to the Board of Directors.
• Manage the preparation and submission of grant applications and funding proposals as appropriate, ensuring that funds are used properly.

Vision and Strategy

The Strategic Planning Committee, comprising key Board members and staff, oversees the development and execution of SBMM’s goals. The committee reviews and adjusts the strategic plan annually, meeting quarterly to evaluate progress. The current FY 2021-2026 plan identifies six key goals:

• Visitor Experience and SBMM Visibility
• Fiscal Sustainability
• Education
• Exhibits
• Public Trust and Accountability
• Leadership and Organizational Structure

From the museum’s inception, the vision has been to create the most interactive maritime museum on the West Coast. This vision continues to guide the development of both exhibits and educational programs.

SBMM provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Interested applicants should visit and submit cover letter and resume to HR@sbmm.org no later than August 1, 2025.

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