Job Listing

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Executive Director of the Thomasville History Center, the Site Manager is responsible for effective administration, management, and operation of the Bush Family Home State Historic Site.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: budget development and management; maintenance of site; resource management and curatorial care of museum artifacts; visitor services, interpretive and educational program planning, development, scheduling, production and evaluation; development of beneficial community partnerships and collaborations; manage contracts and relationships with vendors and operational partners; volunteer recruiting and management; media relations, promotional and marketing activities; records management and reporting; management of minor repair and maintenance projects on historic and non-historic structures as well as the grounds. Work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This position assists the Director of the Thomasville History Center and staff to promote the Lapham-Patterson House as a fully operational historic site and multi-purpose rental venue. The position will oversee any staff and volunteers that work within the House and they will help create opportunities that strengthen the financial health and capability of the Lapham-Patterson House by assisting efforts to strengthen and grow the site’s development program.   The Lapham-Patterson House is a National Landmark site and sits within the Dawson Street National Register District

• Location: Thomasville, GA
• Position Title: Site Manager, Lapham-Patterson House State Historic Site
• Job Type: Part-Time
• Job Duration: Indefinite
• Min Education: BA/BS/Undergraduate
• Min Experience: 3-5 Years
• Required Travel: 0-10%
• Salary – $20-$24 an hour

DUTIES 

Serve as point person for potential clients interested in booking the site as a venue for a range of events that generate rental revenue, especially weddings, receptions, overnight stays and guided tours and other social events. 

Grow revenue generating events, hospitality rentals and programs consistent with the mission and standards of the Thomasville History Center as a site from the Resort Era/Victorian period of Thomas County 1871-1906.

Field inquiries by phone, email and social media to answer questions and provide information about facilities, rates and availability. 

Manage all social media sites for the House (Facebook, Instagram, our website and email campaigns). This will include content creation, tracking metrics and handling media inquiries.

Schedule appointments and meet with potential clients to show and promote the site, provide walk-throughs, discussing needs, brainstorming about uses and both selling and up-selling the property. 

Maintain accurate records of inquiries, bookings and contracts, waitlists, cancellations and other communications with clients in order to coordinate and appropriately maximize bookings and revenue within the availability and resources of the site, and to reach or exceed specified goals.

Once booked, effectively transition the clients to working with the site’s third party vendors to follow-up on logistics, details and day-of operations for events, then coordinate between partners to help ensure successful events.

Help develop and manage connections and partnerships with other local sites and businesses for potential referrals and packaging of offers.

Track and analyze effectiveness of various marketing campaigns and tools.  Track trends and suggest creative, innovative property uses to fill gaps during slower periods, piggy-back off of local events and happenings, etc.

Suggest and help in development of agreements, policies and procedures around the operation of the House. 

1. Responsible for program planning, development, and implementation.
2. Updates, develops, and implements Business Plans and other planning documents.
3. Develops and implements effective techniques for evaluation of operation and programs.
4. Studies and analyzes operations and problems and prepares reports of findings and recommendations.
5. Prepares justifications for and assists in implementing procedural changes and policy compliance.
6. Work with program staff in determining trends and resolving technical problems.
7. Work with and speaks to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in the program and to secure support for local programs.
8. Evaluate employee performance and identify mentoring, coaching, and training opportunities for staff members.
9. Provide recommendations on staffing needs and organization.
10. Communicate THC policy, business, and information to staff in a timely basis.
11. Communicate issues, opportunities, Friends group ideas and initiatives to supervisor in a timely and effective way.
12. Maintain knowledge of current historic preservation and museum best practices.
13. Participate with the Division, THC leadership and Commission in defining site mission.
14. Communicate mission to stakeholders, affinity groups, and the community.
15. Identify priorities and resources in annual and long-range planning for the program.
16. Represent THC and the Historic Sites Division as needed in public meetings, seminars, and other events.
17. Coordinate public relations, media, and marketing activities with the Communications Division.
18. Oversee collections care and management in consultation with the Division of Historic Sites’ curatorial team to ensure that artifacts are under the site’s physical and intellectual control, appropriately displayed, stored, and documented. Artifacts include historic buildings and features of the site.
19. Oversee maintenance and preservation planning and identify needed projects and appropriate resources to accomplish them.
20. Develop and implement cyclical maintenance and housekeeping program for the historic site that includes historic and non-historic structures and the grounds.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 3-5 years of professional level experience coordinating events, including success in sales and marketing of event venues.
• Experience working with historic sites, museums or similar arts & cultural venues, or in the hospitality/catering industries, a plus.
• Experience fundraising and in development, also a plus.
• Basic project management skills, including experience with project budgeting and planning.
• Ability to achieve results with moderate supervision.
• Effective presentation skills. Excellent writing, spelling, grammar, and proofreading skills, as well as strong verbal communication and customer service skills.  Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Experience successfully interacting with key stakeholders. Ability to collaborate and achieve results. Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with multiple stakeholders. When working in the office, ability to work productively on your own. When working off-site, ability to work effectively in a remote environment, maintaining productivity and communications to meet deadlines and goals, is required.
• Enthusiasm and ability to engage a variety of stakeholders with ties to local affinity groups, professional organizations, or related associations are a plus.  Able to effectively discuss identities such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender in plain, specific terms as they relate to cultural heritage and the mission of the site. Bi-lingual language skills a plus.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently, and respond to a high volume of ongoing requests in a timely fashion. Adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment and work effectively with frequent interruptions required. Able to handle frequently changing and/or unscheduled tasks with accuracy. Entrepreneurial spirit and skill set a plus.
• Enthusiasm and ability for professional growth and a creative work environment. This position will allow for a fair amount of creativity in regards new programming, revenue generating activities, community outreach and promotional endeavors.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required. Familiarity with other software, including PastPerfect, Quickbooks, Constant Contact a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent years of relevant experience) required.   Some business-related studies (or equivalent related work experience) a plus, as is interest in or familiarity with historic venues.
• Minimum physical requirements include ability to walk over uneven terrain, climb stairs on regular basis and otherwise navigate parts of a historic property that may not be fully accessible. 
• Ability to work weekends, evenings and some holidays on a regular basis.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.

WORK CONDITIONS

Workplace setting is a historic site, in an office and outdoor setting where occasional exposure to weather, dust, insects, and traveling on uneven and unpaved surfaces, and lack of environmental control are part of the working conditions. Must be able to safely lift up to 30 lbs.