Apply to Become the New Executive Director at NATMUS

Job Title: Museum Executive Director
Location: Auburn, IN
Position Type: Full Time, On Site

Applications due by: July 17, 2026

About NATMUS

The National Auto & Truck Museum (NATMUS) is a museum of doers.

For more than 40 years, NATMUS has preserved and celebrated America’s automotive and trucking heritage through unique vehicles, exhibits, artifacts, and educational experiences.

Located in Auburn, Indiana, the museum has grown through grassroots passion, volunteer dedication, and a commitment to sharing the stories that shaped transportation history.

Today, NATMUS stands at an exciting point in its evolution. With an extensive collection, historic facilities, strong community support, and a growing regional presence, the museum is poised for its next chapter.

NATMUS is seeking an innovative, visionary Executive Director who can transform possibility into reality by expanding the museum’s reach, creating compelling new experiences, attracting diverse audiences, and establishing NATMUS as a nationally recognized destination for automotive and transportation history

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of NATMUS and is responsible for leading the museum’s strategic vision, growth, operations, fundraising, programming, and community engagement.

This role requires a dynamic leader who can blend creativity with business acumen, leveraging research, audience insights, industry trends, and data-driven decision-making to guide the future development of the museum.

The successful candidate will have a passion for automotive heritage, experience leading organizations through growth, and the ability to inspire staff, volunteers, donors, board members, and community stakeholders around a shared vision.

The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to develop and execute a long-term strategy that expands exhibits, increases attendance, strengthens financial sustainability, and elevates NATMUS’s profile on a regional and national level.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

  • Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan that positions NATMUS for long-term growth and relevance.
  • Identify emerging museum, tourism, educational, and entertainment trends that can inform future programming and exhibits.
  • Utilize visitor data, market research, demographic trends, and industry insights to guide decision-making.
  • Create innovative experiences that appeal to both traditional automotive enthusiasts and new audiences.
  • Establish measurable goals for attendance, membership growth, revenue generation, and community impact.

Museum Development & Innovation

  • Lead the development of new exhibits, interactive experiences, special collections, and educational programming.
  • Evaluate museum assets and identify opportunities to better leverage existing collections and facilities.
  • Introduce fresh ideas that increase visitation and encourage repeat attendance.
  • Collaborate with collectors, automotive organizations, manufacturers, historians, and industry leaders to bring unique experiences to NATMUS.
  • Ensure exhibits remain engaging, relevant, educational, and aligned with the museum’s mission.

Audience Growth & Community Engagement

  • Expand awareness of NATMUS across local, regional, and national audiences.
  • Develop strategies to attract younger visitors, families, schools, tourists, automotive enthusiasts, and underserved demographics.
  • Strengthen and build relationships with community organizations, tourism partners, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders to increase attendance
  • Serve as the public face of the museum through speaking engagements, media opportunities, and community events.

Events & Programming

  • Develop a year-round calendar of events that drives visitation and revenue.
  • Evaluate event timing, audience demand, and community opportunities to maximize impact.
  • Create signature experiences that establish NATMUS as a destination attraction.
  • Oversee educational programs, special exhibits, car shows, lectures, and community events.

Fundraising & Revenue Development

  • Lead fundraising efforts including donor cultivation, sponsorships, grants, memberships, and capital campaigns.
  • Identify new revenue opportunities that support the museum’s mission and long-term sustainability.
  • Build meaningful relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, and community leaders.
  • Collaborate with the Board to strengthen philanthropic support and financial growth.

Organizational Leadership

  • Lead, mentor, and inspire staff and volunteers.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Oversee museum operations, budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation.
  • Ensure organizational policies, governance practices, and operational standards are maintained.
  • Provide regular performance reporting and strategic recommendations to the Board of Directors

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public History, Marketing, Tourism, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
  • Minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience.
  • Demonstrated success leading organizational growth and strategic initiatives.
  • Experience managing budgets, operations, and teams.
  • Strong communication, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.
  • Experience using research, analytics, and performance data to drive decision-making.
  • Proven ability to build partnerships and engage stakeholders.
  • Passion for preserving and promoting history, culture, education, or transportation
    heritage.


Preferred

  • Museum, nonprofit, tourism, cultural institution, or attraction management experience.
  • Fundraising, sponsorship, grant writing, or capital campaign experience.
  • Experience creating visitor-focused exhibits or public programming.
  • Knowledge of automotive, trucking, transportation, engineering, or industrial history.
  • Experience with membership organizations and volunteer engagement.
  • Marketing, audience development, or destination attraction experience.

Desired Leadership Traits

The ideal candidate will be:

  • Visionary and forward-thinking
  • Entrepreneurial and opportunity-focused
  • Data-driven and strategic
  • Passionate about automotive and transportation heritage
  • Collaborative and relationship-oriented
  • Innovative and creative
  • Comfortable leading change and growth
  • Highly organized and accountable
  • An effective communicator and storyteller
  • A builder of teams, partnerships, and community support

Success in the Role

Within the first three years, the Executive Director will:

  • Develop and implement a strategic growth roadmap for NATMUS.
  • Increase museum visibility and regional recognition.
  • Expand attendance through innovative exhibits and programming.
  • Attract broader and more diverse audiences.
  • Strengthen fundraising and sponsorship efforts.
  • Improve utilization of museum assets and facilities.
  • Position NATMUS as one of the premier automotive and transportation museums in the Midwest.

Join Our Team

NATMUS is seeking a leader who is excited to honor the museum’s rich history while building its future. If you are passionate about innovation, community engagement, and preserving America’s transportation heritage, we invite you to help lead NATMUS into its next chapter.

Salary: $70,000-$100,000 based on experience and incentive package
Travel: Event-based, mainly local

To Apply

Email the following requirements to John Pontius, NATMUS President, at ccainc@ccanapa.com and CCing CLASSICCITYAUTOINC@ATT.NET.

  • Resume
  • Cover letter with your interest
  • Vision statement outlining how you would help grow NATMUS over the next five years.
  • Subject Line: NATMUS Executive Director Application

Questions about the role before applying? Email NATMUS at info@natmus.org.

Applications due by: July 17, 2026

Email Your Application