Executive Director | Texas Brazos Trail

TEXAS BRAZOS TRAIL REGION

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Texas Brazos Trail Region is a non-profit organization covering 18 counties of Central Texas. A participant in the Texas Heritage Trails Program (THTP) of the Texas Historical Commission, the organization works to increase tourism, promote historic preservation, and support community and economic development among cities and tourism partners.

Job Summary

The Texas Brazos Trail Region Executive Director works alongside a volunteer Board of Directors to administer and manage the regional organization. This is a full-time salaried position, exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, with an anticipated start date of fall 2023.

Qualifications

Required:

• Two years or more professional experience in a relevant field -- tourism planning/development, marketing, communications or history

• Bachelor’s degree with preference in tourism planning/development, marketing, communications or history (five years commensurate experience can substitute for degree)

• Fundraising experience

• Reside in or relocate to the Brazos Trail Region

Preferred:

• Experience working with and managing a nonprofit organization

• Evidence of ongoing public awareness, education, research and/or training programs relating to tourism, history, culture or historic preservation

• Experience in historic site/cultural resource interpretation and historic preservation

• Experience providing customer service

• Experience with a heritage site or organization

• Experience in grant writing and/or seeking funding from private foundations or corporations

• Excellent communication skills—written and verbal

• Computer experience, including proficiency in Word and Excel

Responsibilities include extensive required travel throughout the 18-county Brazos Trail Region for site visits and speaking engagements, and outside the region for training. The successful applicant will provide their own transportation.

Application Information

■ Resumes and cover letters will be accepted until filled. Submit a minimum of three references with contact information.

■ Resumes and cover letters should be e-mailed to: Joy Summar-Smith, Region Hiring Committee Chair; info@texasbrazostrail.com

■ Office location for the regional program will be at the selected candidate’s home office. Selected applicant must reside in or relocate into the 18-county Brazos Trail Region before taking the position.

■ Selected candidate will be required to travel extensively throughout the 18-county region for site visits and speaking engagements and outside the region for training in their own vehicle.

■ Candidate must pass a background check.

Salary Range

$45,000 - $50,000 annually depending upon experience. Position funding is supplied by a grant from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and is part of the state budget. Continuation of the program and requisite funding is anticipated long-term but is not guaranteed. The Heritage Trails Regions are expected to pursue funding from other sources. The Texas Brazos Trail Regional executive director is an employee of the Texas Brazos Trail Region Board of Directors.

Benefits

■ Insurance stipend

■ Paid time off and federal holidays

■ Travel and mileage reimbursement (must furnish own transportation)

For questions about the THC’s Texas Heritage Trails Program (THTP), the umbrella organization for the ten heritage trail regions, contact Teresa Caldwell, THTP State Coordinator at (512) 463-5755 or teresa.caldwell@thc.texas.gov.

TEXAS BRAZOS TRAIL REGION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Work Objectives

The Texas Brazos Trail Region Executive Director’s role is critical to building a successful regional heritage tourism program. The executive director is the facilitator for the development, execution and documentation of the heritage trail regional program. The executive director is an advocate, motivator, guide and resource for the communities of the region. In working with local organizations and partner agencies, the executive director strives to enable and empower people, groups and organizations to gain knowledge and skills, assume responsibility and develop and implement ideas for building better heritage tourism destinations and attractions throughout the region.

Major Areas of Responsibilities

■ Manage and administer the regional program including purchasing, record keeping, budget development and accounting, preparing reports required by the Texas Historical Commission and funding agencies.

■ Assist the Board of Directors, committees and task forces in developing an annual work plan for implementing a regional heritage tourism program based on five principles: collaboration, community, interpretation, authenticity and preservation and focused in three sectors: Organizational Sustainability, Products and Services for Partners, and Products and Services for Travelers.

■ Secure funding, in conjunction with the regional Board of Directors, partners, corporate sponsors, foundations and other sources to ensure financial sustainability.

■ Assist the Board of Directors in adhering to best practices and policies to maintain nonprofit status.

■ Develop, in conjunction with the regional Board of Directors, heritage tourism development strategies that are based on historic preservation and that utilize the region’s historic and cultural resources to enhance economic development.

■ Develop and conduct ongoing public awareness, education and training programs designed to enhance appreciation of the region’s heritage and other unique assets and to foster an understanding of the trail region’s goals and objectives.

■ Serve as the primary link between the Texas Historical Commission and the regional Board of Directors, heritage tourism sites and partner organizations.

Specific Areas of Responsibility

■ Coordinate regional board meetings, educational workshops, and other activities, along with the activity of the committees and/or task forces, ensuring that communication between committees/task forces is well established; assist committees/task forces with implementation of the work plan.

■ Conduct an outreach program that includes speaking engagements, press releases, media interviews, educational events and appearances to advocate for heritage tourism and the Brazos Trails.

■ Provide advice and consultation to heritage sites and organizations in matters that include site improvement, planning, improvement to organizational and financial operations, and referrals to professional consultants.

■ Advise regional heritage sites and organizations on the activities and goals of the heritage trail region, and conduct site visits to heritage tourism destinations to build strong and productive partnerships with appropriate agencies, civic organizations, business owners, and other interested partners.

■ Build strong and productive partnerships with appropriate public agencies, civic organizations, business owners, and other interested partners at the local, state and national levels.

■ Assist with the identification of regional heritage tourism attractions that have the potential for tourism development.

■ Develop e-newsletter, blogs, and press releases. Maintain and enhance the region’s website to highlight regional attractions and events to trail region.

■ Develop and maintain a robust regional social media presence across multiple social media platforms.

Attributes of a Successful Executive Director

A successful Executive Director MUST:

■ Be a strong advocate for heritage tourism

■ Have a sense of entrepreneurship and a be a self-starter

■ Be diplomatic and a skilled communicator

■ Have an appreciation and understanding of community involvement

■ Be success oriented and a motivator

■ Have knowledge of historic preservation

■ Be personable, persevering and patient