Preservation Society of Nashville Announces Search for Inaugural Executive Director 

Following a landmark first year for the organization, PSN is ready to hire it's first Executive Director to lead the organization's charge in a variety of different capacities. This is an exciting time to join the organization at the ground floor of such immense potential, and simultaneously, critical work. 

Please review the full position description below. If you're ready to apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to Meg Hershey (mhershey@meghersheyconsults.com) with subject line "PSN Executive Director Candidate." All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential. Resumes will be accepted until March 15, 2024. The Society aims to have the selected candidate in place by May 2024.

Position Summary

Under general oversight from the Preservation Society of Nashville (PSN) Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the professional management and growth of PSN and fostering the organization’s role as Nashville’s leading advocate for historic preservation.

The Executive Director will move the organization forward in the continued development and implementation of goals that reflect PSN’s mission. The Executive Director provides overall leadership for strategic plan implementation, organizational development, fundraising, advocacy, educational programming, financial oversight and operations, events and volunteer management, and marketing and communications. As the public-facing leader of the organization, the Executive Director serves as spokesperson and preservation expert.

A successful Executive Director will have an entrepreneurial spirit and proven track record of significant fundraising, ensure the organization’s growth and sustainability, maintain a reputation for excellence, and identify opportunities for mission-related impact in the community.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Executive Leadership

- Provides inspiring leadership to the Board of Directors, volunteers, contractors, and future staff; mobilizing varied talents and resources available to further the mission of the organization.

- Creates and manages annual strategic plans and budgets to support the organization’s goals and prioritizes new and emerging challenges or opportunities.

- Assesses, pitches, and implements strategic growth initiatives such as: revolving fund, revival fund, easement program, etc.

- As the organization grows and funds allow, recruits, hires, and manages all PSN staff. Leads and grows future team members by providing professional development, regular performance reviews, and facilitating appropriate recognition.

- Liaises with all consultants, contractors, agencies, and vendors.
Ensures all policies, systems, and procedures follow ethical standards and best practices.

Fundraising, Membership Development, and Volunteer Management

- Strengthens and grows diverse funding base, including corporate, foundation, and individual giving.

- Cultivates and stewards donors through targeted outreach, meetings, lunches, dinners, and events.

- Implements creative strategies to increase membership and expand public awareness of PSN’s work and impact.

- Seeks, applies for, and administers applicable grants.

- Further develops and manages PSN’s volunteer program, including recruitment, training, and supervision.

- Maintains accurate donor records and manages CRM/database .

Advocacy & Programming

- Positions PSN as an effective and vital historic preservation organization.

- Creates thoughtful strategies for the preservation of historic structures and resources, legacy neighborhoods, and local culture.

- Leads the organization’s advocacy and government relations efforts, regularly interfacing with elected officials, municipality staff, commercial developers, etc. and regularly attending public meetings in the evenings.

- Serves as a strong advocate for local, state, and national preservation efforts and legislation.

- Formulates positions on preservation issues of importance to the diverse communities of Nashville. Evaluates and responds to preservation issues.

- Produces approximately 10 – 15 public programs for various audiences throughout the year.

Marketing, Communications, and Outreach

- Oversees the development of all promotional and communications strategies.

- Leads all public relations efforts and serves as the Preservation Society of Nashville spokesperson.

- Keeps members and the community engaged and informed of PSN’s activities by ensuring timely communications via email, website, and social media.

- Cultivates and nurtures relationships with key preservation partners like industry associations, academic institutions, other community organizations, other preservation societies, etc.

Financial Management

- Develops and manages annual budget in consultation with board to ensure the organization operates within approved budget parameters.

- Ensures high quality financial management, presenting monthly financial reports to board, maintaining internal controls, and ensuring that organization follows all financial policies established by Board of Directors.

- Establishes administrative policies and procedures for all day-to-day functions.

Board Recruitment & Development

- Nurtures ongoing development of an engaged and high-performing board by fostering mutual trust and respect, emphasizing shared leadership and responsibility, and providing thoughtful reflection on performance.

Key Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in disciplines related to business, public administration, communications, planning, and/or historic preservation.

- 7 – 10+ years of professional nonprofit experience, with clear record of achievement in complex, mission-driven organizations.

- Proven success in a fundraising leadership role, particularly in establishing relationships with individuals and organizations of influence including funders, partner agencies, and volunteers.

- Strong financial management skills including budget preparation, analysis, decision making, and reporting.

- Ability to be a passionate spokesperson/representative of PSN’s mission.

- High degree of energy, integrity, transparency, and creativity.

- Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational, and written skills.

- Strong digital/technical skills such as those in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Canva, CRM/Database systems, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

- Two years in a supervisory capacity preferred.

- Experience in historic preservation, historical interpretation, museum management, cultural resource management, or other related activity within a historic organization/nonprofit, government agency, academic institution, museum, or similar institution preferred.

- Experience with managing a preservation revolving fund and/or preservation projects preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

- The annual compensation range for this role is $90,000 - $125,000 with a benefits package that includes:

- Access to Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

- Three (3) Weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO), which includes vacation, personal time, and sick leave

- Eleven (11) Paid Company Holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, one (1) floating holiday)

- The position is hybrid in-office/remote but located in the greater Nashville, Tennessee area, and the selected candidate will be expected to live in the area.

About the Preservation Society of Nashville

The Preservation Society of Nashville was founded in December 2022 following several years of exponential growth and development in Music City. The Society’s mission is to protect and champion Nashville’s unique stories, neighborhoods, and architecture through three focus areas: education, advocacy, and historic preservation. The Board of Directors envisions a Nashville that knows its future is deeply connected to its past and a Nashville community that honors both historic preservation and growth as vital ingredients that breathe life into the unique character of the city.

###