Stopping Stones Program Director

Historic New England is seeking a dynamic leader to direct Stopping Stones, an established program that recently became part of Historic New England. Stopping Stones is a national place-based public art strategy that recruits local partners to honor the memories of enslaved individuals in the locations where they were held and bring their stories alive by installing micro monuments and supporting multivocal installation ceremonies that catalyze local movements for reparative justice, racial healing, and greater equity. Stopping Stones is part of Recovering New England’s Voices.

The Stopping Stones Program Director will integrate the Stopping Stones program into the fabric of Historic New England and scale it to become a broadly recognized contributor in the racial repair and reparations movement. We are seeking candidates from all fields of work who are creative, enjoy community outreach, and have a desire to contribute to racial healing.

Historic New England welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusion.

Ideal candidates are part of or have connections to communities impacted by this history and work and are enthusiastic about equity and social justice.

Essential Functions

• Transition the Stopping Stones program to Historic New England and develop processes and activities to support the program.


• Manage the day-to-day administrative and operational direction of the program


• Build relationships across the country and develop resources to support communities with action to repair the echoes of slavery, and to support the program.


• Lead the promotion, research, and programmatic strategies of the program


• Develop progressive programming and educational activities that reflect and advance the advocacy of repair and reparations for descendants those enslaved in early-America


• With HNE staff and Stopping Stones Advisory Committee develop the long-term strategic plan building upon the proven operational model


• Build bridges and cultivate innovative partnerships amongst a broad range of stakeholders


• Support fundraising efforts to sustain and expand Stopping Stones


• Supervise other staff as the program develops and grows.
  

Experience and Attributes

Key Qualifications:

• Experience working with partnership and coalition building with the goals of inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and social justice,  including three years of supervisory experience


• Valid driver’s license and means of reliable transportation


• New England residency required by the start of the position

Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills, including writing, and public speaking


• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment
  


• Ability to operate effectively and objectively in a team environment, where a deep understanding of team approach and effective communication within and across working groups is essential to success


• Valid driver’s license and means of transportation


• Strong belief in, and demonstrated commitment to, Historic New England’s mission and values


• Commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, excellence, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA)
  

Other Duties

Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Historic New England is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.