Description

As the Executive Director of Roanoke Island Festival Park, you have the unique opportunity to oversee an interactive living history experience celebrating the first English settlement in America that also serves as a cultural and community hub for nearby residents. A public boardwalk borders the site and serves as the walking path for neighbors and their four-legged friends. You will truly be in the center of it all. 

The site’s historic attractions draw thousands of visitors annually and include a 16th century replica ship that can sail to ports around the state, an adventure museum, American Indian Town and a settlement village, all staffed by historic interpreters in period clothing. 

This position oversees the operations of Roanoke Island Festival Park, a part of the Division of State Historic Sites and Properties. This involves day-to-day management of between 20 and 30 permanent and temporary/seasonal staff as well as responsibility for an operating budget of around $2.5 million, which is approximately 70% receipt and donation funded and 30% appropriations. 

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Develop and execute short- and long-term operational plans for Roanoke Island Festival Park including staffing, maintenance, programming and events. This includes plans to maintain the Elizabeth II.

Ensure adequate staffing to support park operations, including management of full-time personnel and use of temporary or seasonal employees as needed.
Work with staff to develop and implement ongoing and seasonal programming to draw visitors to the park.
Work with staff to identify, prioritize and execute maintenance projects at the park, including maintenance of buildings and grounds, using contractors or other licensed professionals as needed.
Work with staff to develop and execute an ongoing maintenance plan for the Elizabeth II, which includes regular surveys of the ship, contracting with specialists on maintenance and repair and possible collaboration with Dare County to ensure navigability of the waterways so ship can be hauled out annually. 
Work with staff to effectively manage the rental of event space at the park. 

Establish and oversee organizational structure to support operations.

Ensure that organizational structure aligns to reflect clear accountability and responsibility for key park functions.
Hire and manage permanent and temporary staff to support operations.

Develop and manage budget to support operations and comply with state purchasing requirements.

Develop a budget that accurately reflects park income (including ticket sales and donations) and expenses, including accounting for future maintenance and equipment needs.
Regularly review financial reports to ensure budget is on track.
Ensure that purchases and contracts for the park meet with all state purchasing requirements.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local and state agencies, including but not limited to the Town of Manteo, Dare County, the Friends of the Elizabeth II, N.C. DNCR, N.C. DOT and members of the local business community.

Attend Friends of the Elizabeth II meetings.
Communicate regularly with local and state agencies and members of the business community regarding park operations. 
Attend town and county meetings as needed.

Requirements

To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. 
 
Candidates meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed onthe vacancy announcement. Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are notrequired. Applicants who possess the following are preferred: 
Business administration experience
Strategic planning experience
Stakeholder engagement
Management
Communications
Museum and/or public history leadership
 

Position/Physical Requirements 

Must be available to work a typical schedule of Monday - Friday 8:30-5:30 with a one-hour lunch, and occasional evening, weekend and holiday hours required as needed.
 

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

This position is located at:  
1 Festival Park 
Manteo, NC 27954

As per N.C.G.S. 126, this Position is designated asExempt from the State Human Resources Act (EHRA). 

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Master's degree in public history, historic preservation, business or public administration, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution

AND 

five years of progressive historical experience in the private or public sector which includes research and history program management;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Section/Unit Description  

Roanoke Island Festival Park is a 27-acre site.  First opening in 1983 with the “Elizabeth II”, a 16th century replica sailing vessel, a visitor/ticket sales center, offices, and a 50-seat auditorium.  In 1998 an expansion project was completed, adding an 8,500 sq. ft. Adventure Museum; a 240-seat film/small performance indoor theatre; 3,0000-sq.ft. meeting room; an outdoor performance pavilion with lawn seating for 3,500; a museum store; administrative offices; maintenance facilities; waterside boardwalks; and a public Kayak Launch.

This iconic historic site is nestled in the quaint town of Manteo, the county seat for Dare County, a top tourist destination that draws visitors by blending rich history with natural coastal beauty. The site’s waterfront pavilion provides the backdrop for concerts by nationally renowned artists through an annual summer concert series and fall bluegrass festival. Numerous couples have said “I do” on the pavilion grounds, which also serves as the site for numerous community events and gatherings. 

North Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the nation, recognized for its geographic diversity, featuring the highest Appalachian peaks (Mt. Mitchell) and 300+ miles of coastline.”

Division Description

The Division of State Historic Sites was established to coordinate administration of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ State Historic Sites Program, which includes 27 historic sites across North Carolina and Division offices located in Raleigh. We connect people to North Carolina’s history, sharing the power of place to inspire a common future through preservation, education, and transformative engagement. https://historicsites.nc.gov/