Job Description

Executive Director, Tidewater & Big Bend Foundation / Cumberland Estate

New Kent, Virginia

• The Executive Director will lead the operations and further the development of Cumberland Estate and its nonprofit sister organization, the Tidewater & Big Bend Foundation. Together, these organizations steward a rapidly growing 6,300+ acre enterprise dedicated to land and building conservation, historic restoration, farming, and upland bird hunting.

• We are seeking a seasoned executive with a proven record of delivering complex projects on time, building high-performing teams, and balancing mission-driven work with operational excellence. In addition to its preservation and educational mission, the organization operates a hospitality business that includes guest accommodation, hunting activities, private events, and business conferences.

• A central objective of this role is the development of immersive programming and public exhibitions that bring to life rural traditions in Tidewater Virginia, spanning the colonial period through the late 19th century—akin to Colonial Williamsburg, reimagined in a rural setting.

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Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide overall leadership for the Foundation, balancing historic preservation, the educational mission, financial sustainability, and visitor experience.
• Partner closely with the founder/owner to define long-term priorities and oversee budgets and major capital projects.
• Integrate strategy across Finance/Operations, Mission, Hospitality, Education, and Development to ensure cohesive execution.

Preservation & Programming Oversight

• Lead the restoration, preservation, and ongoing stewardship of historic buildings, artifacts, and landscapes, maintaining historical integrity while incorporating contemporary museum best practices.
• Oversee interpretation, educational programming, exhibitions, and living-history experiences to ensure high standards of historical accuracy, engagement, and educational impact.

Operational & Financial Management

• Provide executive oversight of facilities, hospitality, future retail and museum operations, conservation, education, and visitor services.
• Ensure financial sustainability through disciplined budgeting, resource allocation, and oversight of revenue-generating activities (e.g., hospitality, retail, events).

External Relations

• Serve as the primary public representative of the Foundation, engaging with media, government agencies, academic institutions, cultural organizations, and community stakeholders.

Key Activities

• Coordinate with vendors and contractors to manage project budgets, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Recruit and oversee a museum curator; guide the development of museums and the publication of regional historical research.
• Manage interior decorators and vendors in the staging of existing and future residences on the property.
• Oversee contractors and staff engaged in forestry management, land preparation, farming operations, garden development, and monument placement.
• Direct construction, renovation, and maintenance of buildings, roads, fences, drainage systems, and related infrastructure.
• Develop and expand public offerings, including historical tours, nature walks, horseback riding, and other experiential programs.
• Actively market the property for hunts, weddings, retreats, conferences, and special events.
• Manage project punch lists, track strategic initiatives, and lead a staff of approximately 25 team members.

Qualifications & Background (Ideal Candidate)

• 10+ years of senior leadership or executive management experience, ideally in nonprofit, cultural, museum, heritage, hospitality, or educational settings.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, project execution, team building, and financial management.
• Deep appreciation for early American history—particularly the colonial era—and historic preservation; museum leadership experience or the ability to lead teams of historians, curators, and conservators is a plus.
• Strong external relations and communication skills, including public speaking and partnership development.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across operations, hospitality, education, conservation, and visitor services.
• Hands-on familiarity with site work, landscaping, building construction, renovation, and maintenance strongly preferred.
• Experience in commercial hunting, hospitality, or sales is a plus.
• Knowledge of forestry and/or agriculture is desirable.

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