Executive Director
Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington
THE INSTITUTION
Opened in September 2013, The National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon has established itself as the premier center for the study of George Washington, fostering scholarship on the Founding Era of the United States and creating innovative educational programming for a variety of audiences. The Washington Library sponsors impactful forums in early American history and civic engagement, manages a prominent research fellowship program, houses an extensive collection of manuscripts, maps, and books, organizes expansive digital offerings, and annually hosts thousands of people at public events and leadership programs.
Private and independent, the Washington Library is owned and operated, along with the historic estate of George Washington, by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union (MVLA), a private 501(c)(3). The Library supports and maintains the archives of the MVLA, encompassing records of the preservation, management, and governance of the historic institution from 1852 to the present. The Library houses a priceless collection of George and Martha Washington letters and manuscripts, a large section of George Washington’s original library, the Richard H. Brown Revolutionary War Map Collection, a substantial number of eighteenth-century books, pamphlets, newspapers, and manuscripts, as well as a large selection of ephemera, documenting the important popular legacy of George Washington in American life. Additionally, the Library has an extensive collection of research, bibliographic, visual resources, and secondary material supporting the work of students, teachers, and scholars, as well as the historians, curators, horticulturalists, archeologists, interpreters, and other staff and volunteers of Mount Vernon. The Library also includes a large online collection of digitized material and third-party databases and is a fully-staffed modern research library.
A center for robust public programming, the Washington Library hosts regular conversations with authors of topical books, semi-annual multi-day symposiums with scholarship leaders, annual thematic speaker events, and occasional international conferences. The Library also houses the George Washington Leadership Institute, a popular program for groups that examines and teaches the leadership qualities of America’s first president and how his commitment to execution, focus on strategic vision, and emphasis on organizational character can be applied today.
The Washington Library serves as an essential component of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, which has been open to the public since 1860. The estate, Washington Library, gift shops, and dining facilities are operated by over 500 paid employees and over 400 volunteers. It is directed by the MVLA, composed of a Board of Regents of women who currently represent 25 states. As the oldest national historic preservation organization in the country, the mission of the MVLA is to preserve, restore, and manage the estate of George Washington to the highest standards and to educate visitors and people throughout the world about the life and legacies of George Washington, so that his example of character and leadership will continue to inform and inspire future generations.
THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Reporting to Mount Vernon’s President & CEO and serving as an integral member of the leadership team at one of America’s most storied public history sites, The Executive Director of the Washington Library is charged with fostering scholarship surrounding George Washington and his era, leading impactful academic and public programs, and growing the breadth, depth, and significance of the library collection. This is a compelling opportunity for an innovative, visionary leader to direct the preeminent center for the study of our first President as it celebrates its tenth anniversary in September 2023 and charts the course for its next dynamic decade, including Mount Vernon’s programming around the significant anniversaries recognizing America’s 250 in 2026 and George Washington’s 300th Birthday in 2032.
The position calls for substantial scholarly knowledge of the Founding Era, a knack for developing innovative and compelling ways to connect with multiple audiences, strategic vision, administrative acumen, inspiring management, entrepreneurial drive, and a passion for the life of George Washington and the long, rich history of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Develop and execute the strategy to maintain and cultivate the reputation of the Washington Library as the premier center for the study of George Washington and his era while actively seeking ways to make the history relevant to a variety of audiences;
Manage a dedicated and hard-working professional staff including librarians, historians, and program directors to serve the MVLA mission the estate, researchers, and the general public
Effectively disseminate scholarly research and other relevant knowledge to a wide range of external audiences on numerous platforms;
Promote the leadership and civic values exemplified by George Washington;
Maintain and expand public and private events at the Library, including those as a place to convene for relevant conversations on George Washington’s legacy, leadership, and preservation;
Build collections of the Library to encourage research and support preservation;
Develop and foster external partnerships intended to strengthen the dual preservation and education missions of Mount Vernon;
Connect and align programs with the broader estate’s priorities;
Assist in fundraising for specific Library programs and initiatives
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mount Vernon seeks an accomplished, enthusiastic, and experienced leader with outstanding interpersonal, communication, and management skills. This individual should be committed to promoting Washington’s life and legacies to future generations and furthering the important mission of the MVLA.
The successful applicant will be an established Ph.D. who has published in the field and has taught at the University level or has related experience in a historic museum, society, or research library. The best candidates will demonstrate new and exciting ideas on how to impart the legacy of George Washington and his continuing relevance today. We look forward to meeting candidates who are charismatic, creative, enterprising, and who possess an energetic leadership style.
BENEFITS FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Retirement plan with employer matching
Meals and merchandise discounts
Free parking
Employee recognition at 5 years of service
Annual employee events
On-site gym
Health and dental insurance
Life and disability insurance
Paid leave
Flexible spending account for medical care
All staff, volunteers, and contractors must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Mount Vernon is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to building and retaining a team that represents a variety of skills, experiences and perspectives. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, performance, and qualifications without regard to race, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, gender/sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, veteran and military status, family or parental status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. Mount Vernon will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.