National Coast Guard Museum Association

Position: Executive Vice President of Events and Stewardship

Reports to: President of the National Coast Guard Museum Association

Location: Hybrid (2-4 days a week in New London office, dependent on event schedule)

Travel: National travel is required – 5 national events per year.

Salary Range: Competitive salary, commensurate with experience. $120,000-$130,000

The Opportunity:

The National Coast Guard Museum Association (NCGMA) is the private, nonprofit organization responsible for supporting and sustaining the National Coast Guard Museum. Working alongside the United State Coast Guard, along with community partners, donors, supporters and volunteers across the Country, the Association has led the private fundraising effort to make the Museum a reality, to bring it to life and for it to continue to play a vital role long after the museum opens.

Currently under construction on New London, Connecticut waterfront, the Museum is expected to open in 2027 as the Nation’s official museum dedicated to the history, mission and people of the United States Coast Guard. The Museum will preserve and share the Coast Guard’s remarkable stories, while the Association exists to ensure it has the resources, community support and philanthropic investment needed to thrive.

The National Coast Guard Museum Association is building more than just a museum – we are creating a national institution that will preserve, share and celebrate the stories of the UnitedStates Coast Guard for generations to come. The NCGMA is a nimble team of approximately 15 professionals who enjoy wearing many hats and work collegially and collaboratively across departments. Our work entails membership and annual giving programs, principal and major gift fundraising, corporate partnerships, grants, stewardship, special events, marketing and communications, as well as volunteer engagement. The NCGMA serves as the Museum’s primary community liaison – building relationships with local organizations, businesses, civic leaders, educators and supporters, while helping connect and raise the profile of the Museum to audiences nationwide.

As the Museum approaches its opening in 2027, the Association will evolve from a startup organization focused on fundraising and planning to one that will support the ongoing success of a national cultural institution. Joining the team now will afford the right candidate the opportunity to work with a small, collegial and collaborative team where new ideas are welcomed, initiative and innovation is valued, and every employee has a meaningful voice and opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the Museum.

Our shared goal is simple: to create an exceptional museum experience to honor the service of the Coast Guard’s men and women, engage visitors from across the Country and serve as a lasting source of pride for the Coast Guard and our Nation.

Position Summary:

The Executive Vice President of Events and Stewardship (EVPES) is responsible for developing and leading the National Coast Guard Museum Association’s comprehensive events and stewardship strategy in support of the fundraising, donor engagement, public awareness, and the successful opening of the National Coast Guard Museum.

The EVPES will report directly to the President and is a senior leadership position requiring excellent strategic leadership with extraordinary hands-on execution of premier events. The EVPES will create, plan and execute best-in-class events programs while overseeing donor stewardship initiatives in coordination with the development staff which will strengthen

relationships with major donors, corporate partners, foundations, governmental entities and key stakeholders. The EVPES will also partner with marketing and communications to complement public awareness and messaging initiatives.

The EVPES will supervise the Director of Stewardship, manage all annual events, budgets and related resources. The opportunity to grow the team depends on the success of their event and stewardship program.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a multi-year strategy for events and donor engagement leading through the Museum’s opening and beyond;
• Collaborate across fundraising, marketing, communications, operations and executive leadership;
• Serve as a contributing member of the senior leadership team.

Management

• Manage event budgets, vendor relationships, consultants, and production partners;
• Establish event timelines, event project management, and event performance metrics;
• Ensure events are delivered on time, within budget, and at the highest quality standards;
• Supervise the Director of Stewardship;
• Manage all event vendor relationships and required per diem staffing.
• Attendance of Board Meetings
• Travel/Logistics

Events

• Lead planning and execution of all CGMA events, including, but not limited to:
• National fundraising events
• Local fundraising events
• Large-scale and small-scale events
• Private major donor and high-net-worth receptions
• Museum public events
• Corporate partner events
• Week-long Museum opening celebrations
• Traveling road shows and outreach events
• Cultivation and stewardship events and experiences
• Create memorable and signature experiences that advance fundraising and deepen donor engagement;
• Develop annual event calendars, production schedules, and event operational plans.

Stewardship

• Partner with development leadership to expand, strengthen and deepen donor recognition and stewardship;
• Oversee stewardship programming and recognition events;
• Ensure meaningful engagement opportunities for donors, sponsors, veterans, Coast Guard leadership, and supporters.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will be a proven events professional with a demonstrated history of producing and managing exceptional and memorable events and executive-level experiences, both small intimate events for high end donors and broader reach large-scale events.

Candidates of most interest will possess:

• 10+ years of progressively responsible roles and experience, with preference given for direct experience in non-profits, development and/or museum organizations;
• Proven success in conceptualization, strategy, execution and follow-up for complex event portfolios;
• Deep experience working directly with CEO’s, presidents, board of directors, senior executives and principal and major donors;
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills;
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills;
• Strong leadership and team management experience;
• Experience managing budgets, outside vendors and contracts; 
• Excellent entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to pivot, build new programs, continuously improve existing processes and develop new processes;
• Superb ability to multi-task, manage multiple (and sometimes competing) priorities in a fast-paced environment;
• Meticulous attention to detail, however small the detail.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle;
• Willingness and openness to travel nationally as needed for events, donor cultivation and organizational activities (75% events expected to be in Connecticut annually);
• Ability to work evening, weekends and long hours when events require;
• Ability to be in New London for on-site presence as Museum opening approaches in Summer of 2027 and beyond.

How to Apply:

The job posting will remain active until the position is filled. A target start date has been set for October 1, 2026. Interested candidates should submit a written cover letter of intent, a professional resume, and a one-page narrative highlighting three recent events they have executed, including number of guests, event budget and event outcome summary. 

Applications should be submitted via email to info@coastguardmuseum.org

The NCGMA is an equal opportunity employer.