Preservation New Jersey Seeks New Executive Director

Preservation New Jersey seeks a visionary, strategic, and mission-driven Executive Director to serve as the organization’s chief executive officer and lead its statewide preservation, advocacy, and educational efforts. The Executive Director is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission by developing innovative programs, strengthening partnerships, expanding organizational capacity, and serving as the leading voice for historic preservation throughout New Jersey.

This position is responsible for implementation of the organization’s strategic direction in partnership with the Board of Trustees while overseeing all aspects of operations, fundraising, financial management, communications, membership, and program delivery. The Executive Director will lead and oversee the organization’s major initiatives, including statewide advocacy efforts, preservation policy development, educational programming, and new organizational initiatives that strengthen Preservation New Jersey’s impact.

Working closely with the Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers, preservation partners, elected officials, and community stakeholders, the Executive Director will lead both the overall strategic vision and the day-to-day management of the organization, ensuring that Preservation New Jersey remains a strong, effective, and influential advocate for preserving New Jersey’s historic places.

Executive Leadership and Organizational Direction

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and principal advocate of Preservation New Jersey and is expected to actively drive the organization’s vision, priorities, growth, and statewide impact. In addition to administering existing programs and routine operations; it requires a proactive leader who can identify emerging preservation needs, develop new initiatives, build partnerships, and move the organization’s strategic agenda forward in coordination with the Board of Trustees.

As the organization transitions with a new Executive Director, it is understood that the incoming Executive will support the advancement of establishing a statewide preservation easement program and launching a comprehensive training program for historic preservation commissions, municipal officials, and preservation advocates. The Executive Director will also guide Preservation New Jersey’s current advocacy agenda by monitoring legislative and policy development. Current advocacy priorities include supporting the continued reauthorization and funding of the federal Historic Preservation Fund; advancing improvements to the Federal Historic Tax Credit program; supporting state legislation for the protection and preservation of abandoned and neglected cemeteries; and developing and advocating for a New Jersey historic homeowner rehabilitation tax credit program.

While the position requires high-level leadership, the Executive Director must also be prepared to manage the practical and administrative responsibilities necessary to operate a state-level nonprofit organization. These responsibilities include developing and balancing budgets, managing grants and contracts, preparing correspondence and advocacy letters, maintaining organizational records, coordinating meetings, responding to public inquiries, and completing routine clerical and day-to-day operational tasks. The successful candidate must be equally comfortable setting statewide priorities, meeting with policymakers and funders, and directly completing the administrative work required to implement those priorities.

Full Job Post Here: Executive Director – Job Description