Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens stands at an exciting inflection point. Having grown from fewer than 50,000 to more than 110,000 annual visitors over the past decade, the institution has demonstrated both its broad appeal and its capacity for intentional, sustained growth. With a newly refreshed strategic plan, a passionate and dedicated staff and volunteer community, and a campus poised for continued investment, Hillwood now seeks an Executive Director (ED) who can build on its successful trajectory and positive momentum, embracing and guiding the institution confidently into its next chapter.

Hillwood is one of the nation’s most distinctive cultural institutions — a mansion museum, working greenhouse, and curated gardens that together tell the story of Marjorie Merriweather Post, one of America’s most remarkable women. The next Executive Director will steward this singular legacy while simultaneously driving the institution’s contemporary relevance: broadening audiences, deepening community connections, and ensuring that Hillwood remains a place where diverse visitors find personal meaning, beauty, and inspiration.

This is a rare opportunity for a mission-driven leader to serve as both steward of an irreplaceable collection and champion of a living, breathing cultural destination. The next ED will arrive at an institution that is financially stable, strategically focused, and deeply committed to environmental sustainability, inclusion, and the highest standards
of museum practice. They will lead a talented and cohesive management team, partner with an engaged Board of Trustees, and serve as Hillwood’s primary face to donors, community stakeholders, and the broader art, cultural, and heritage sector.

The next ED will possess the judgment to navigate complexities inherent in stewarding a historic house museum and estate: honoring the spirit and intentions of Marjorie Merriweather Post while ensuring that Hillwood remains dynamic, welcoming, and meaningful to contemporary audiences. They will recognize that Hillwood’s future success depends not simply on increasing attendance, but on growing intentionally and sustainably while preserving the intimacy, beauty, and quality of the visitor experience.

The position offers the full scope of executive leadership: organizational strategy, people management, financial oversight, major gift fundraising, board governance, collections stewardship, and programmatic vision. For a leader energized by complex, multi-faceted institutions and motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting cultural contribution, this role is exceptional.

Salary Range: $300,000-350,000