National Nordic Museum
Search for the Executive Director and CEO
Seattle, WashingtonThe National Nordic Museum ("the Museum") seeks an experienced andinnovative cultural leader to be the next Executive Director andChief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO will propel the Museum'smission to "share Nordic culture, values, and ideas with people ofall ages and backgrounds to create connections, generate dialogue,and inspire new perspectives," using the Museum's assets andplatform to enrich lives in the Seattle area, nationally, andbeyond.
Founded in 1979, the National Nordic Museum is the only institutionof its size and scale in the United States to present the historyand culture of the entire Nordic region (Denmark, Finland, Iceland,Norway, Sweden, the regions of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, andland, and the cultural region of S pmi) and the legacy of Nordicimmigrants to the United States. Located along Seattle's workingwaterfront in an iconic building that embodies Nordic design, theinstitution is both a museum and a community gathering place. Hometo beloved festivals, pathbreaking exhibitions, innovation summits,and visiting dignitaries, the Museum offers a unique perspective onNordic culture today.
Following the successful tenure of Eric Nelson, who will retire in2024 after nearly 17 years of leadership at the Museum, the nextCEO will join an organization that has significantly increased insize, scale, and impact. The Museum is federally recognized as anationally significant cultural institution and draws regional,national, and international audiences. Today, the Museum has anoperating budget of $5.2 million and a staff of 38. The CEO willguide the next stage of the Museum's remarkable trajectory byproviding strategic leadership within the organization andpartnership with its wide range of stakeholders. The next CEO willlead an innovative, internationally recognized museum and culturalhub.
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will develop and steera compelling vision for local, national, and global engagementwithin a top-tier cultural organization. They will be a genuinerelationship builder dedicated to an expansive, inclusiveunderstanding of Nordic nations and people. The CEO will take acreative approach to forming partnerships and fundraising tosupport the Museum's rising profile and future growth. This rolerequires passion for the Nordic values of openness, sustainability,social justice, and innovation, and a commitment to establishing adiverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace that puts these valuesinto practice.
The Executive Director and CEO will address the following keyopportunities and challenges:
- Collaboratively define the Museum's future strategic vision todrive relevance, innovation, and impact
- Enhance the Museum's mission by expanding its regional,national, and international reach
- Ensure long-term financial well-being through exceptionalmanagement and fundraising
- Lead and develop a high-performing team to sustain excellenceas the Museum evolves
- Elevate the governance structure to respond to the needs andaspirations of the National Nordic Museum
The National Nordic Museum has retained Isaacson, Miller, anational executive search firm, to assist in the recruitment of thenew Executive Director and CEO. For more details, including thefull position profile and to submit inquiries, nominations,referrals, and applications, please see the Isaacson, Millerwebsite for the search: submission of materials is required.
Ben Tobin, Aku Ammah-Tagoe, Alaine Small
Isaacson, Miller
The National Nordic Museum provides equal employmentopportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employmentwithout regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexualorientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age,disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or statusas a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state,and local laws.jeid-0d75c8a3fd7406419eef2283e03ff9b2