Executive Director

Organization: Topaz Museum
Job Title: Executive Director
Location: Delta, UT

Overview
The Topaz Museum seeks an Executive Director dedicated to its commitment to preserve and
teach the history of the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans at the Topaz site near Delta,
Utah during World War II. Housed in an 8,000 square-foot facility that educates more than
15,000 visitors and students annually, the museum is supported by an active Board of Directors
and is in a strong financial position. The Executive Director will continue the organization’s
current financial strategy for long-term sustainability, while employing museum best practices to
strengthen its role as a vital resource. Located two hours from Salt Lake City and just a few
hours from six national parks and world-class skiing, the museum is situated in a region known
for its desert landscapes, 90 miles from the Nevada border.

About the Organization
The Topaz Museum, a private non-profit, is a nationally respected institution dedicated to
preserving and teaching the history of the Topaz incarceration site. The museum’s mission is to
honor those who were incarcerated by telling their stories, preserving the site, and educating
current and future generations to help prevent similar civil rights violations from happening
again. 

The modern museum, built in Delta in 2015, preserves a significant collection, including artwork
from the historic Topaz Art School and unusual artifacts made by those who were incarcerated.
The Topaz Museum exhibit area features an art gallery, a re-created barrack, an original
recreation hall used by the Boy Scouts at Topaz, gift shop, with collection storage onsite. In
addition, the Topaz Museum Board owns 640 acres of land where more than 11,000 Japanese
Americans were unjustly imprisoned. The museum preserves and protects this one-square mile
historic ground located 16 miles northwest of Delta that became a National Historic Landmark in
2007. The site is an incredible treasure which retains more evidence of the history than any of
the other nine Japanese American incarceration camps.

The Opportunity
The Executive Director will join a vibrant institution, with a powerful mission, and a compelling
story, to lead the museum through a pivotal moment of growth and national relevance.
Reporting to and working closely with the Board of Directors (comprised of both Japanese
American Topaz descendants and local Delta community members), the Executive Director will
serve as a leader in advancing the mission and future growth of the Topaz Museum and in
preserving the historic incarceration site. The Executive Director is essential in ensuring that the
history of Topaz is not only remembered, but also used as a vital lens to examine and address
present-day civil rights issues, as its legacy continues to resonate.

While current day-to-day operations, collections care, exhibitions, and educational programming
are led by a dedicated team of volunteers, the Board envisions expanding the museum’s
capacity in 2025–2026 by hiring staff. The Executive Director will play a central role in this
transition—strengthening volunteer engagement while building the infrastructure necessary to
sustain a paid professional team. In addition, this individual will be responsible for ensuring the
physical integrity, maintenance, and preservation of both the museum building and the historic
site near Delta, Utah. The Executive Director will continue the connection between the museum
and its broader community—building trust, fostering local relationships, and ensuring the
museum remains a valued, visible, and deeply integrated cultural resource.

Key Responsibilities
 

Strategic Leadership:

• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees to shape and implement the museum’s vision,
  honoring Topaz’s legacy while expanding its reach and impact.
• Identify growth opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and ensure programs align
  with the museum’s mission.
• Evaluate existing programs and incorporate visitor feedback and best practices to
  improve the museum.
• Lead and mentor staff and volunteers to foster a strong, mission-driven team.

Program and Organizational Development:

• Strengthen the museum’s programs, volunteer network, and public profile in Utah and
  nationally.
• Expand community outreach, educational initiatives, and the permanent collection.
• Ensure smooth daily operations and long-term planning for exhibits, collections, and
  visitor experiences both at the museum and the site.

Museum Operations and Governance:

• Oversee facility operations, visitor experience, and the preservation and curation of the
  museum’s unique collection.
• Work closely with the Board and committees to support governance, planning, and
  organizational sustainability.
• Manage the scheduling and development of exhibits and educational programming.
• Supervise a team of 20+ volunteers and anticipated hired staff.

Facility Oversight:

• Supervise maintenance and infrastructure development at the museum and the site,
  including planning and executing ongoing upkeep.

Fundraising and Financial Management:

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and reporting to ensure stability and transparency.
• Grow the museum’s fundraising efforts by engaging donors, cultivating new funding
  opportunities, and deepening relationships with existing supporters.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies aligned with the museum’s long-term
  goals.

Communications and Public Relations:

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador of the museum.
• Strengthen partnerships with community leaders, organizations, and educational
  institutions.
• Oversee communications across all platforms, including media, website, social media,
  and printed materials to expand public awareness.

Qualifications
The Executive Director for the Topaz Museum will be a dynamic and resilient museum
professional with a deep regard for history, a commitment to the community, and the ability to
lead the organization toward greater sustainability, impact, and relevance. While it is understood
that no one candidate will bring every desired skill, characteristic, and experience, the following
offers a reflection of the ideal candidate profile:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field (history, museum studies, nonprofit management,
  public administration, or similar) is preferred. A Bachelor’s degree may be acceptable,
  depending on additional work experience.
• Leadership experience in a museum or cultural organization
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, staff supervision, financial oversight and
  reporting, and fundraising
• Knowledge of history, particularly around civil rights, social justice, and Japanese
  American incarceration
• High ethical standards and a consistent record of building trust-based relationships with
  diverse constituencies
• Experience with standards and best practices for museums and historical records and
  artifacts
• Ability to cultivate effective working relationships with diverse audiences and
  stakeholders, including donors, community groups, schools, corporations, and local civic
  organizations
• Excellent communication skills, including writing and public speaking
• Excellent project management, time management, and multi-tasking skills
• Ability to act as a visible and respected ambassador of the museum, representing the
  values of the organization with professionalism
• Experience with PastPerfect or other collections management software
   

Compensation and Benefits
This is a senior level professional position, and the Executive Director is expected to live in or
relocate to the Delta, UT area. The salary range for this position is $60,000-$75,000,
commensurate with experience and geographic location, plus a competitive benefits package.
We are open to negotiation based on qualifications and professional background, and are willing
to support educational advancement.

We are looking for a three year commitment. This is a great opportunity to build connections
with other confinement sites through the JACS consortium as well as interface with the National
Parks Service, the Smithsonian, and other national organizations including the JACL.

How to Apply
Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit a complete application package consisting of a
resume, a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role, and contact information for three
professional references. Applications should be submitted by email to
anna@mightypenguinconsulting.com. 

We will be accepting applications through August 15, 2025.