Museum Director

The Whatcom Museum Executive Director (Executive Director), serving also as the Chief Executive Officer for the Whatcom Museum Foundation’s Board of Trustees, will provide strategic leadership in planning, organizing, and directing all operations and activities of the Whatcom Museum (the Museum). In coordination with other City departments and the Foundation Board, the Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing the Museum’s financial health and sustainability;

managing physical facilities and assets; ensuring effective and secure use of data systems; and developing and maintaining an effective workforce and culture of organizational excellence. The Executive Director will be a member of the City’s leadership team, collaborating with the Mayor of Bellingham and other City departments to align strategy, policy, and shared operations with the City’s critical objectives, vision, and values, ensuring the Museum is a vital cultural and educational resource for the community.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a summary of demonstrable accomplishments by clicking here or visiting

The Executive Director will work independently, with general guidance from the Whatcom Museum Foundation’s Board of Trustees, to ensure proper prioritization of institutional goals to maximize the effectiveness of the museum’s operations for the good of the community, in alignment with broader goals as set forth by the City of Bellingham Mayor and City Council. The Whatcom Museum Executive Director will be responsible for shaping the Museum’s vision, enhancing its role in the community, and overseeing strategic planning and all day‑to‑day operations of the multi‑facility campus.

The Whatcom Museum Executive Director is an employee of the Whatcom Museum Foundation, reporting to the Whatcom Museum Foundation’s Board of Directors, and is the Chief Executive Officer for the Whatcom Museum Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Executive Director’s leadership team includes the chief curator and director of exhibitions, the controller, the development director, the director of collections & operations, and the director of marketing & public relations.

Additional employees include docents, interns, part‑time visitor attendants, story associates, and Family Interactive Gallery associates. Of the team of 25 total employees, four are City employees, while the remainder are employees of the Whatcom Museum Foundation. The Whatcom Museum Foundation is currently bargaining its first union contract with Teamsters Local 231.

The current full salary range for this position is $11,666/month - $14,000/month. Employees receive step increases bi‑annually in accordance with the E‑Team Handbook and City policy.

Research has demonstrated that salary negotiation can further inequality due to bias across gender and race. To prevent negotiation bias, the City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience in accordance with City policy.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 20 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 40 hours of sick leave upon hire + 8 hours accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long‑term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt‑out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation savings plan and 401(a) Retirement Savings Plan up to 3% with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.