The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is currently seeking an Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, the Museum’s advanced learning center. The Executive Director leads the Institute in the development of its research, publications, public programs, and other content initiatives and partnerships related to the military history of World War II, with a focus on the American experience in the war and its lasting legacies for America and the world.  The Institute aspires to create a community of scholars to form a national center for research, higher education, publications, and public programming dedicated to promoting the history of World War II, the relationship between the war and America’s democratic system, and the war’s continued relevance for the world.  To accomplish these goals, the Institute expects to become the pre-eminent gateway to the latest research, personal histories, public programs and historiography of the war itself, as well as to the public memory of WWII in the US and globally.

This position will report to the Vice President of Education and Access.

Specific job responsibilities include the following:

• Leads the Institute and works collaboratively with institute members (including the Samuel Zemurray Stone Senior Historian, the Director of Conference and Symposia, and other historians and research assistants) to develop public history and research priorities.
• Directs long-range planning related to research, publications, conference, symposia, online degree programs, and other initiatives.
• Oversees content development and management of the Institute’s multiple initiatives, including research, publications, speaking engagements, conference and symposia, leadership programs, and online courses, and works closely with the Associate Vice President of the Museum’s WWII Media and Education Center, the Director of Curatorial Services and other professional staff to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives.
• Works proactively to develop partnerships with a community of WWII scholars and educators at institutes, universities, museums, and research centers worldwide.
• Provides a leadership role in the Museum, to ensure that the President/CEO, Board of Trustees, and Museum staff have access to the highest degree of historical accuracy and integrity of WWII content in planning and presenting exhibits, programs, media productions, publications, and public history.
• Leads Museum committees and work teams responsible for the planning and execution of Institute publications, conferences, symposia, and other higher learning initiatives.
• Works closely with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement to communicate institute priorities, and to develop proposals to help fund these initiatives.
• Has management responsibility for Institute budget, operations, staff, departmental policies, and planning.
• Participates, under the direction of the VP/Education & Access, with other content leaders in the Museum, in long-range planning and research initiatives for education, exhibits, and programs on World War II.
• Participates in the preparation of presentations and reports for the Museum’s National Board of Trustees, the Board’s Committees, and the Presidential Counselors, an advisory body comprised of respected historians, museum leaders, and other scholars.
• Offers presentations to museum conferences and to various media, and teaches an occasional online course on WWII subject(s) as may be needed to enhance the reputation and public profile of the Institute and Museum.
• Participates in task forces and other projects as assigned.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Military History with specialty in America’s experience in the WWII era (although a terminal degree or equivalencies in related areas of politics, diplomacy, social history and international relations are also acceptable); a minimum of 5 years of executive, administrative, and leadership accomplishments in higher education, research, history, museums or military institutions; experience in the development, planning and execution of conferences and execution of large-scale formal discussions; and outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.

Willingness to work irregular hours during weekends, holidays, special events or when required by project deadlines. Some domestic and international travel will be required.

Letter of application with resume / CV requested by January 31, 2021, but will be accepted until position is filled.

The National WWII Museum offers a competitive wage and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance, long-term disability insurance, 401k and paid vacation and sick leave.

The National WWII Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks diversity in its workforce.  We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.  Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.

Interested candidates should apply online at www.nationalww2museum.org/employment or mail resumes to 945 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130.