Executive Director

Northeast Document Conservation Center
Andover, Massachusetts

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC), an internationally renowned organization providing highly specialized conservation and preservation services to libraries, archives, historical organizations, museums, and other repositories that preserve and protect significant paper and photographic objects, is seeking a new Executive Director. In addition to providing conservation and imaging services to institutions that lack in-house expertise, the Center helps clients improve their preservation programs through conferences, online courses and workshops with support from leading funders such as the National Endowment for the Humanities. Since its founding in 1973, NEDCC has helped cultural institutions meet some of the most difficult conservation challenges, with efforts as far afield as Cuba, Mongolia, and Eastern Europe. NEDCC has enjoyed 35 years at the forefront of the preservation field and is now poised for new leadership.

NEDCC seeks an enthusiastic, creative Executive Director with an entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine passion for helping clients plan for the future of their collections. The Executive Director will be both a highly visible and articulate advocate for conservation and preservation and an energetic leader who will work with the Board to chart a course for the Center’s strategic development.

The Executive Director will serve as NEDCC’s chief executive, reporting to a 14-member Board of Directors and having overall responsibility for the strategic, programmatic, financial and physical operations of the organization. S/he will supervise a 40-member staff, including experts in four departments (led by Directors of Paper Conservation, Book Conservation, Imaging Services and Preservation Services) and an administrative staff of six, including a chief financial officer, development and public relations coordinator, registrar, finance manager and administrative assistants. The Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing physical facilities that accommodate the Center’s book and paper conservation laboratories, preservation services, digitization and microfilming services, as well as managing support services, such as procurement, accounting, clerical and human resources. NEDCC has an annual operating budget of $4 million. The successful candidate will join an organization with a solid foundation and build upon the notable achievements of the recently retired Executive Director that include establishing the Center’s international reach and position as a leader in the field. The Executive Director will also work with the Board and staff to plan and implement new activities and services that help fulfill the organization’s mission, achieve its vision and ensure its ongoing financial health. NEDCC enjoys an established role as an innovator in the field of preservation, and the new Executive Director will have the opportunity to forge new strategies and creative approaches to services where models do not yet exist.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate programmatic vision, strategic thinking, a working understanding of best practices in the financial management of a mid-size non-profit organization, and will have a record of success in raising funds from public, private and/or corporate sources. NEDCC also seeks a compelling leader who is a natural team-builder and is able to employ outstanding communications skills as both a champion for the staff and spokesperson for the organization. A working knowledge of the field of cultural heritage preservation is preferred.

The search committee is being assisted by the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group. Please see application instructions at the end of this document.
 

HISTORY AND MISSION

NEDCC was founded in 1973 in response to growing alarm about the monumental scope of the paper deterioration problem facing collection-holding institutions in New England. Documents and artifacts needed conservation treatment in historical societies, college and university libraries, public libraries, and town and state archives, but there was no facility within the region that could provide appropriate services. A cooperative approach to the problem was seen as the most effective solution.

Shortly after the Center’s founding, six state libraries in New England agreed to create a shared conservation facility that would meet the needs of all nonprofit groups in New England. NEDCC’s region then expanded to include New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. As a pioneer in the fields of conservation and preservation, NEDCC now welcomes clients throughout the United States and abroad.

Located 24 miles north of Boston in Andover, Massachusetts, NEDCC's mission is to improve the conservation efforts of libraries, archives, historical organizations, museums and other repositories; to provide the highest quality services to institutions without in-house conservation facilities or those that seek specialized expertise; and to provide leadership in the preservation and conservation fields.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

In addition to being a leader in conservation, the Center is an international resource for preservation education. Its landmark School for Scanning conference garnered a national audience for 11 years. The updated program has been renamed Digital Directions to reflect its expanded content, which encompasses the full life-cycle of digital objects from planning to creation to sustainability. Funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Persistence of Memory: Sustaining Digital Collections provides an overview of the current digital preservation landscape. The Center also offers a workshop on sustaining digital collections, entitled Stewardship of Digital Assets, which is offered in different regions of the country for smaller audiences and focuses on the practical elements of digital stewardship.

NEDCC was recently awarded a major grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to provide new digital services, including high-quality digital imaging of works on paper as well as digitization of X-ray film and all photographic materials.

NEDCC also offers workshops on a variety of preservation topics and provides a wealth of information on its web site, www.nedcc.org. The Center engages in international exchange programs to improve the standard of conservation and preservation practices in other countries. In 2008, NEDCC hosted conservators from Bulgaria, Slovakia, Poland, and Estonia, providing advanced training in photograph conservation.

Conservation of Paper, Books and Photographs. Led by seasoned conservators Walter Newman and Deborah Wender, NEDCC is a leading conservation laboratory for books, documents, maps, photographs, parchment, architectural plans, wallpaper and works of art on paper, including drawings and paintings in all media, prints, collage and contemporary works. Conservators treat works with unusual formats such as globes and other composite objects with paper components and offer a full range of treatment options. Conservators also conduct detailed condition surveys of collections.

Imaging Services. Led by David Mathews, an imaging expert who joined NEDCC in 2008 from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Imaging Services department specializes in digitization of paper artifacts, works of art, photographic film, prints, and vintage objects including glass plate photographic negatives. Treatment, digitization and reformatting are all done within the same facility, minimizing the risks of transporting fragile objects. As a national leader in digital preservation, NEDCC offers advice on building sustainable digital collections to collection-holding institutions.

The Center has been preserving archival material on microfilm since 1978, and its expert staff is equipped to handle the most difficult and challenging collections, including brittle books and newspapers. The Preservation Microfilming department specializes in filming unique and especially challenging materials such as scrapbooks, brittle manuscripts, and pre-nineteenth century books.

Preservation Services. Led by Lori Foley, NEDCC’s Preservation Services department offers consultation and training to help institutions preserve collections through collections-care and preservation planning. Experienced staff conducts general preservation assessments that offer practical recommendations for improving environmental and storage conditions and provide the foundation for writing long-term preservation plans. Preservation Services presents workshops, seminars and conferences in the U.S. and abroad, answers reference inquiries, maintains NEDCC’s web site and provides free 24-hour disaster assistance.

All departments offer advice to clients on planning grant projects.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Charged with capitalizing upon NEDCC’s successful history, the new Executive Director will shepherd the Center’s first major leadership transition since 1978. S/he will take the helm at a time of opportunity and fresh challenge in the field of cultural heritage preservation brought about by the growing use of digital technologies for documentation and access and a plateau in funding for education and professional development activities for museums and library staff. The Executive Director will enjoy the support of a Board that is both committed to fundraising and eager to partner with a creative, entrepreneurial leader to ensure the Center’s ongoing financial well-being while seizing opportunities to expand its national and international impact.

The Executive Director will have overall responsibility for the strategic, programmatic, financial and physical operations of the organization. S/he will build the Center’s fiscal strength through continued grant and donor support, diversification of revenue streams and the client base, and effective management of the organization, including continued recruitment and retention of knowledgeable and skilled staff. S/he will supervise six administrative staff, including a chief financial officer, development and public relations coordinator, registrar, finance manager, and two administrative assistants.

The new Executive Director can expect to engage the following opportunities and challenges in the first 12-18 months of his/her tenure:

Articulate a strategic vision and concrete plan for the future of the Center;

The Executive Director will spearhead a strategic planning process in concert with the Board by assessing the Center’s position in the new economy, exploring the feasibility of a capital campaign, identifying and pursuing new audiences, and developing potential revenue streams to enhance the performance of existing departments. S/he will connect the vision of the Board and senior management to the capacity and expertise of staff to make disciplined, strategic decisions about programs and services.

Increase and diversify the funding base;

The Executive Director will initiate and lead the development and implementation of a fundraising plan in concert with the Board. NEDCC has enjoyed remarkable success in securing funding from the leading granting agencies in the field, including the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Center seeks to maintain these strong, long-standing funder relationships while more aggressively pursuing other sources of support. The new Executive Director will ensure that existing programs are adequately funded and expand NEDCC’s reach by generating new sources of revenue from individuals, foundations, corporations and fee-for-service offerings, and by maximizing funding opportunities through collaboration with other agencies.

Cultivate a collaborative, transparent culture within the organization that values respect, commitment and accountability;

The Executive Director will be a seasoned manager able to hire, motivate, manage and evaluate the Center’s staff and to build upon their knowledge and institutional memory to assess current and future program potential. S/he will partner closely with the staff to streamline programs, build effective lines of communication and investigate operational efficiencies that will enable the organization to maintain its excellence in service delivery well into the future. S/he will value and celebrate the skills and commitment of the staff and work closely with them to support their continued professional development.

Raise the profile and visibility of the Center through outreach and collaborative initiatives, and exploit Board members’ capacity to serve as ambassadors and broadcasters for the organization as it grows and evolves.

The next Executive Director will be a compelling public presence, serving as the Center’s primary representative to agencies, organizations and the general public. As chief spokesperson, s/he will develop opportunities to expand NEDCC’s identity and profile through broad community engagement, partnerships, networking and increased media exposure, positioning NEDCC as a highly recognizable brand within the preservation field and beyond. S/he will assist the Board chair in ongoing strategic recruitment of Board members to represent key constituencies and build the Center’s capacity for continued excellence and diversity.

 

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The successful candidate will be an entrepreneurial, strategic, and results-driven leader with a deep and sustained commitment to the Center’s mission and values. S/he will be a creative, measured risk-taker who relishes the challenge of seizing unrealized opportunities and translating an ambitious vision into practical action steps. S/he will effectively champion the Center to expand its footprint and reputation for leadership in the field of cultural heritage preservation.

While no one person will embody all of the qualities enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences:

• A minimum of ten years of successful, senior-level non-profit experience in an executive or senior management position shepherding multiple stakeholders and significant projects. Individuals conversant in national, state and local preservation policy with regard to museums, libraries, archives, historical societies and other organizations holding film- and paper-based materials and works of art are strongly preferred;

• Requisite curiosity and analytical skill to assess the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges, and translate them into a sustainable vision and an actionable plan;

• A proven track record and passion for fundraising demonstrated by a commitment to continuing excellent relations with the Center’s current funders, a zest for cultivating new donors, an ability to generate new philanthropic and fee-for-service revenue streams and a strong history of successfully taking organizations to the next level of sustained funding support;

• Exceptional abilities as a champion and spokesperson for the Center and a desire to develop and nurture relationships with cultural heritage preservation professionals and institutional leaders in order to build a comprehensive referral network;

• Impeccable integrity, honesty and a reputation for a consultative approach. A natural inclination toward open, transparent communication and leadership. Demonstrated ability to motivate staff, delegate authority, and capitalize on staff expertise when appropriate. Respect for the Center’s distinguished history and an inclusive vision for its future;

• Strong team-building and listening skills. Experience developing and engaging a Board of Directors and leveraging staff and board talents and time wisely;

• Awareness of the importance of technology and adequate laboratory space to deliver both conservation/preservation and educational services. Experience managing and developing highly specialized facilities and technology; and

• Creative but structured thinking skills combined with the savvy to combine the equal parts humor, compassion and sensibility necessary to address the practicalities of leading a nonprofit in the new economy.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS

More information about Northeast Document Conservation Center may be found at http://www.nedcc.org.

Due to the pace of this search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, but no later than April 15, 2009. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), salary history and where you learned of the position should be sent to: NEDCC-ED@NonprofitProfessionals.com. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.

 

Northeast Document Conservation Center is an equal opportunity employer.