Executive Director, Illinois State Historical Society, Springfield

Full time; salary $82,500

Background: The Illinois State Historical Society (ISHS), founded in 1899, is seeking an executive director to implement its mission of promoting Illinois history and to run its day-to-day operations. This is a full-time position based in Springfield, Illinois.
The mission of the ISHS is to foster awareness, understanding, research, preservation, and recognition of history in Illinois. The ISHS actively promotes and advocates for the study of Illinois history through its 118-year-old quarterly journal, its web site, historical markers program, educational activities and programs, outreach, and support of local historical societies and allied organizations.
The ISHS is a not-for-profit organization and is not a state agency. It depends solely on membership dues, gifts, bequests, and foundation grants for support.

General Duties (job responsibilities of the executive director are described in Article IV of the ISHS Bylaws and this job description reflects those responsibilities). Reporting to the president and the board of directors and working with ISHS board members, the executive director:

-leads planning and implementation of the Society’s annual and long-term objectives;

- spearheads fundraising and organizational development;

-prepares and monitors the ISHS ’s budget;

-supervises, monitors and evaluates all full- and part-time staff (currently 2 staff);

-leads planning and implementation of the Society’s annual and long-term objectives;

- prepares and monitors the ISHS ’s budget;

- supervises, monitors and evaluates all full- and part-time staff (currently 2 staff);

-presents ISHS programs to membership and the general public.

External Duties:
1. With guidance from the Executive Board, Board of Directors and Advisory Board, plans, develops, and manages all Society programs, including education and outreach through the society’s website, the historical markers program, awards programs and the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society.
2. Coordinates fund raising activities of the Society, in cooperation with the ISHS Board, and participates in all stages of fund-raising activities, including working with the board on donor identification and solicitation, serving as primary liaison to donors and other potential benefactors, and creating and implementing strategies, goals, prospect research, and an overall development strategy. In partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for establishing achievable and measurable fundraising goals, with an organizational goal of raising an additional $250,000 a year by year three of the position.
3. Works closely with the Executive Board, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, committees and volunteers to ensure Society objectives are met.
4. Leads communication efforts, including defining key messages, setting the editorial calendar, and serving as the organization’s key spokesperson to the public and stakeholders. Assists with the Society’s social media presence, including the Society’s website. Develops and distributes promotional materials related to the Society’s programs.
5. Assists the board and president in maintaining positive, productive relationships with related agencies, constituency groups, and vendors.
6. Performs other duties as assigned.

Internal Duties
1. Works with the Board of Directors, and the ISHS President and ISHS Treasurer to develop, implement, administer and monitor the ISHS ’s finances and annual budget.
2. Is responsible for the general oversight of staff, including approving time off, assigning tasks and other duties.
3. Directs, guides, and evaluates staff and volunteer activities related to fulfillment of the Society’s programs and grant funded deliverables.
4. Manages ISHS membership and board meetings, arranges and administers board and committee meetings in person and virtually.
5. Serves as principal liaison with University of Illinois Press regarding all aspects of membership development, maintenance and renewals as well as marketing and promotion.
6. Writes grant applications and other materials related to financial support of the Society’s programs and projects

Requirements:

Requires a master’s degree in communications, history or a humanities related field, or seven years of relevant professional experience. Previous experience in fundraising or serving on a team responsible for fundraising also required. Knowledge of Illinois history and government a plus.

Salary: Starting salary of $82,500 annually, with an additional stipend for the purchase of health insurance.

Benefits: Retirement, paid holidays, vacation days, sick time.

Work location: Springfield, Illinois with some travel within the state.

For more information and to apply, please submit:
-Cover letter outlining your interest in the position and your qualifications.
-Resume
-The names, titles and contact information of three references

Please submit the application to:
David Joens, Interim Director
Illinois State Historical Society
411 E. Monroe
P. O. Box 1800
Springfield, IL 62705
clerical@historyillinois.org

Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis until a candidate has been hired. Applications may be submitted by regular mail service or by e-mail. Acknowledgement of receipt of an application will be sent to an applicant when the application is submitted.

Application deadline: Sept 15, 2026

For more  on the organizational profile of the ISHS, please visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mn3UkzpHO4lZLl179YtEB26jEvaHDAt-/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115311091081525268368&rtpof=true&sd=true

Processing Archivist, Wheaton College Archives & Special Collections, Wheaton IL

Full time; salary range $55,000-60,000. FLSA Status - Exempt

The Wheaton Library and Archives seeks a skilled, collaborative, innovative, and enthusiastic professional for a Processing Archivist position. This role is critical to the Archives & Special Collections’ mission to collect, preserve, and make accessible Wheaton College’s institutional archives and special collections, ensuring long-term access, organization, and stewardship of materials and discoverability for diverse users. The Processing Archivist works collegially and collaboratively within the Archives & Special Collections to ensure excellence and integrity in its collections, services, and programs, and across the Library to promote its mission and values. In partnership with colleagues, the Processing Archivist will plan and manage large and small-scale processing projects, accession new materials, supervise student workers, coordinate with donors, and ensure timely access to archival materials accessioned by Wheaton’s archival repositories. The Processing Archivist will receive all necessary training as well as ongoing mentoring and professional development support.

Under the general supervision of the Head Archivist, the successful candidate will:
• Arrange, rehouse, and preserve archival records, working across diverse physical and digital formats, in accordance with nationally accepted archival principles, standards, and best practices.
• Describe archival collections according to nationally accepted archival standards, generating EAD-encoded finding aids in the repository's collections management database, ArchivesSpace, and creating records in MARC format to upload to the Library's online public access catalog.
• Appraise and accession new collection materials, exercising professional judgement to ascertain the ongoing research value of new collections while faithfully and independently representing administrative, legal, and descriptive information about new materials in ArchivesSpace.
• Contribute to management and control activities, including collections assessment, stacks and equipment maintenance, space planning, and archival supplies monitoring.
• Serve on cross-department initiatives, including digital exhibits and preservation activities, contributing to preservation and reformatting activities.
• Participate in unit-wide meetings, decision-making, and planning activities.
• Supervise, train, and manage archival student workers.
• Provide Manuscripts Reading Room desk coverage on occasion, and support reference and research services as needed.
-This job description is intended to represent key areas of responsibilities; specific assignments may vary from time to time, and other duties may be assigned.

Required Qualifications
• Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited program in hand or in progress, or equivalent combination of advanced degree in a relevant discipline (Museum Studies, Public History, History) and related experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in a library, archives, or museum setting, working with diverse collections and users.
• Ability to build productive working relationships and collaborate effectively across teams and with external partners.
• Capacity to work autonomously, exercise professional judgement, and make independent decisions within the scope of assignments.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple tasks, and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Experience using Microsoft Office suite and comfortable learning new systems and platforms, and applications.
• Superior written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Committed to diversity, growth, and dynamic environments; desire to grow in professional role and develop further expertise.

Preferred Qualifications
• Demonstrated experience appraising, arranging, describing, and preserving format-diverse archival collections of varying size and complexity in a professional setting.
• Understanding of tools, platforms, and software used to manage, preserve, and provide access to physical and digital archival records, such as ArchivesSpace and Preservica.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, or recent coursework in metadata standards, particularly Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS), Encoded Archival Description (EAD), AACR2, RDA, and LCSH.
• Subject familiarity with one or more of the collecting foci of the Archives & Special Collections is preferred, particularly the history of evangelical Christianity in the United States.

Faith Requirements
• Affirmation of the Wheaton College Statement of Faith as a faithful expression of one’s own theological convictions
• Affirmation of the biblical standards for Christian character and God-honoring behavior described throughout the Wheaton College Community Covenant, and promise to adhere to them in personal practice
• Support of the Wheaton College Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment, the Gender Equity Vision Statement, and the College’s Convictions on Human Sexuality. These commitments can be found on the Wheaton College website.
Physical Requirements - The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, climb ladders, work with dusty materials, bend or lift up to 40 pounds.

For more information and to apply: https://shorturl.at/TOj4q Please submit both a cover letter and resume as part of your application. Applications that do not include both documents may not be considered. Deadline to apply: 9/30/2026

Archives Associate, International Fellowship of Christians & Jews, Chicago Loop

Full time (hybrid); salary range $55,00-65,000. Hybrid schedule: 3 days in the office, 2 days at home.

This is an opportunity to make an impact in a global nonprofit with collaborative team members, professional growth opportunities and mission focused work. The Archives Associate will process and archive assets and materials of the Archives’ collection. Working directly with the Sr. Manager of Archives and the Archivist, this position will be responsible for processing and preserving the digital asset library and archival material that supports the outreach and fundraising efforts to advance the organization’s mission and objectives. The role also supports the Archives’ mission of capturing evidence of the organization, its business practices, historical and cultural purposes, as well as copyright registrations.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Manage and Preserve Digital Archival Assets
- Follow established archival strategy and best practices for digital materials.
- Process, catalog, and preserve digital assets including photos, videos, digital documents, artifacts, publications, donor premiums, donor proposals, stewardship pieces, and departmental reports.
- Enter assets into the organization’s digital asset management software (D.A.M.) using established metadata strategy.

Process, Catalog, and Preserve Physical Archival Materials
- Follow established archival strategy and best practices for physical materials.
- Process and catalog archival items accurately and consistently.
- Preserve physical materials including photos, videotapes, papers, artifacts, publications, donor premiums, donor proposals, stewardship pieces, and departmental reports.
- Maintain organization and accessibility of physical archival collections.

Track and Document Asset Usage
- Record usage of raw assets and published content across platforms and publications.
- Maintain accurate usage records to support archival reference and content management.

Support Intellectual Property Protection
- Strengthen protection of the organization’s intellectual property.
- Assist with formal submission of copyrighted materials to the U.S. Copyright Office.
- Perform related duties that support copyright registration and protection efforts.

Provide Archival Reference and Retrieval Support
- Assist with fulfilling reference requests from staff and vendors.
- Locate and provide assets and content from archival databases and digital asset management software (D.A.M.).
- Support fundraising, outreach, and educational objectives through timely access to archival materials.

Develop and Maintain Standard Operating Procedures
- Develop, create, and manage standard operating procedures.
- Promote consistency and efficiency in archival operations through clear process documentation

TECHNICAL AND INDIVIDUAL SKILLS:
- Knowledge of archival and librarianship best practices
- Knowledge and experience with cataloging, including metadata standards and best practices
- Experience with data entry and processing or content management systems and functions
- Familiar with video and graphic file formats
- Intermediate level proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams)
- Experience with basic office tasks such as typing, filing and scanning
- Strong organizational skills that reflect an ability to manage projects and prioritize work.
- Experience with basic office tasks such as typing, filing and scanning
- Highly organized with the ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects with competing deadlines
- Demonstrated ability for accuracy and attention to detail, and analytical thinking
- Must be self-motivated and proactive with the ability to work independently with minimal direction
- Strong ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of end users
- Requires the ability to work effectively and maintain concentration while performing repetitive tasks

REQUIREMENTS:

- Bachelors’ degree in Library Science or equivalent experience in library studies, archives, digital asset management or a related discipline, with a minimum of 1 years’ experience.

-A Masters’ degree in Library Science is preferred with a minimum of 1 years' experience.

-Additional experience in data processing or content management systems as well as with metadata standards and best practices is required.

-Professional office experience, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail.

For more information and to apply,

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=fcf0a7c0-69d2-4caf-8504-f6e7c12f7aa0&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=555073&lang=en_US
Details on benefits are available on the official job posting link.

Job posting: Head of Digital Collections Initiatives, Chicago History Museum

Full time (hybrid:minimum 2 days/week onsite); salary range $65,000-72,000 

JOB SUMMARY:
Under the guidance of the Director of Collections, the Head of Digital Collections Initiatives leads strategy for the Museum's digital collections ecosystem, coordinating cross-departmental efforts, and overseeing the development of systems, integrations, standards, and workflows that advance the Museum's digital transformation.
The position manages and coordinates all aspects of the Digital Collections Initiatives unit, including the areas of digitization, digital asset management, and rights and reproductions, generating institutional revenue, managing the unit budget and supporting digital access to collections for internal and external audiences. The role ensures that the museum’s digital assets are responsibly managed, widely accessible, and leveraged to support research, exhibits and public engagement.

This position works closely with Collections, Curation and Exhibitions, IT, Communications, Education, and Institutional Advancement to align digital initiatives with institutional priorities, secure philanthropic support and strengthen the museum’s role as a leading research institution.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Manage the day-to-day operations of the Digital Collections Initiatives unit, including supervising staff, interns and volunteers and coordinating their work.
Lead the strategic planning and governance of the museum’s digital collections ecosystem, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, best practices, available resources and long-term sustainability.
Serve as project manager for digital collections initiatives, including Digital Futures, collaborating with relevant staff, overseeing strategy, budgets, timelines, and milestone tracking and communicating project progress to internal and external stakeholders.
Oversee and/or support the planning, implementation, and optimization of collections-related digital systems, including digital asset management systems (DAMS), collections management systems (CMS), and public discovery platforms, ensuring they meet the needs of internal and external audiences and support collections stewardship.
Oversee the Museum’s Rights and Reproductions program, maximizing revenue while supporting research, exhibitions, publications, and partnerships, and ensuring responsible rights management; submit accounting and royalty reports as needed.
Advise the Director of Collections in developing annual departmental goals, objectives, and budget.
Collaborate with IT and internal stakeholders to ensure systems integration, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
Lead the development, implementation, documentation and improvement of cross-departmental workflows for collections-related digitization, digital asset management, digital preservation and digital access, ensuring work is coordinated efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with institutional priorities.
Establish and maintain technical standards, quality assurance practices, and governance for image capture, metadata creation, digital preservation, and digital asset management, ensuring consistent implementation across collections systems.
Develop an institutional digitization strategy and priorities that support collections stewardship, exhibitions, digital scholarship, community outreach, and revenue-generating opportunities.
Oversee digitization initiatives, coordinating priorities, resources, staff, and external vendors to ensure projects are completed efficiently and in accordance with established standards.
Expand public access to digitized collections through user-friendly digital platforms and improved discovery tools.
Develop and implement processes for collecting and analyzing internal and external user feedback and metrics to evaluate performance and inform continuous improvements to the digital collections ecosystem.
Participate in institutional committees and working groups to represent digital collections priorities, advocating for digital transformation across the institution and promoting best practices.
Monitor emerging technologies, standards, and best practices related to digital collections management, digital preservation, and cultural heritage technologies, recommending solutions that are practical and sustainable.
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with technology providers, academic institutions, funding organizations, community groups and peer museums to advance digital initiatives and promote public awareness of the collection.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented culture within the Digital Collections Initiatives unit and across the Museum.
Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

 Education: Bachelor’s degree in library and information science, museum studies, digital humanities, archival studies, or related field required. Advanced degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience managing digital collections, digital asset management, or digital initiatives within a museum, archives, library, or cultural heritage institution. Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-year digital projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Experience supervising staff and leading cross-departmental teams and initiatives. Experience developing and improving workflows, policies, and standards for digitization, digital asset management, metadata, and digital access. Experience overseeing or implementing digital collections systems, including Digital Asset Management Systems (DAMS), Collections Management Systems (CMS), and/or digital discovery platforms.

Preferred qualifications:  Knowledge of photographic and digitization standards (e.g., FADGI), color management, and quality assurance practices for cultural heritage. (Preferred) Knowledge of copyright, licensing, and intellectual property law and guidelines as they relate to the creation, management, and distribution of digital collections.

Technical Knowledge: Working knowledge of Digital Asset Management Systems (DAMS), Collections Management Systems (CMS), and digital collections platforms. Knowledge of metadata standards and frameworks such as Dublin Core, MODS, or VRA. Familiarity with digital preservation standards, practices and tools (e.g., OAIS, FADGI). Understanding of system integrations, APIs, and digital infrastructure.  Experience using analytics and user feedback to evaluate digital engagement and inform improvements.

Leadership and Professional Skills: Strong strategic planning, leadership and project management skills. Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences. Ability to advocate for digital initiatives and guide change across the institution. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and responsible stewardship of cultural heritage materials.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: The Head of Digital Collections Initiatives leads the Digital Collections Initiatives unit, consisting of the Rights and Reproductions Coordinator, Digital Asset Specialist, two Photographers/Imaging Specialists, Metadata Specialist and project staff, volunteers and interns as needed. The unit is part of the Collections department, and the Head will collaborate closely with other unit supervisors (Senior Archivist, Senior Collection Manager, Senior Conservator, Senior Registrar and Senior Research Librarian) and their unit staff. This position also works closely with Curation and Exhibitions, IT, Communications, Education, and Institutional Advancement to advance digital collections initiatives.

Application Instructions: 

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=5b362fba-f53e-4789-bc85-d104f0b9a79c&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=540924&source=CC2&lang=en_US

Please submit both a cover letter and resume as part of your application. Applications that do not include both documents may not be considered.

Full time, two-year, in-person position, made possible by a grant from the Getty Foundation.

Salary: $60,000

The South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC) seeks to hire an Archives Associate. The Associate will report directly to the Manager of Archives and Collections to support the stewardship of the archives and art collection at the South Side Community Art Center. The Archives Associate will be primarily responsible for completing the processing of mid-level to sizable collections that range up to approximately 200 linear feet, in particular the Dr. Margaret T. G. Burroughs Collection. Archival assets include a range of text, graphic, and art-related materials: letters, documents, photographs, artworks, ephemera, magazines, recordings, and books.

Other primary functions of this role include assisting in the development of policies, procedures, guidelines, and strategic planning, and providing recommendations and implementing best practices for ongoing collections care, access, education, engagement, and digitization strategies.

The ideal candidate for this role should demonstrate a willingness to develop an in-depth familiarity with the South Side Community Art Center (https://sscartcenter.org/), its history, impact in the community, the SSCAC staff, and a dedication to stewarding archival materials. 

Key responsibilities include:
- Archival processing of numerous unprocessed collections with primary focus on the completion of the Dr. Margaret T. G. Burroughs Collection, including developing work plans for each collection, cataloging, and completed finding aids using specified collection management tools
- Conducting research to support processing work including Scope and Content Notes, completed Finding Aids, public programs, and other documentation to support the archives.
- Under the direction of the Archives and Collections Manager, working collaboratively with SSCAC staff, Archives and Collections Committee of the Center’s Board, and occasionally with outside contractors (web design team, guest curators, strategy consultants, etc.)
- Participating in team meetings, strategic planning, and workflow discussions
- Applying knowledge and expertise on archival descriptive standards, intellectual property rights, archival collections care, and strategies towards digital preservation of archival materials
- Researching, developing, presenting, and implementing best practices in organization, storage, and access (physical and digital) for archival collections; and providing documentation of methodology and research
- Engaging in plans for digitization, promotion, use, and development of the SSCAC’s Archives with both institutional and community researchers in mind
- In conjunction with the Archives and Collections Manager, developing the Archives Processing Manual to outline a streamlined process for stewarding the archives

Additional duties include:
- Conduct archival reference by communicating with researchers and supervising archives visits for individual researchers, classes, and other archives patrons in consultation with the Archives and Collections Manager and the Executive Director
- Assisting in the day-to-day work and responsibilities of the Archives and Collections Manager, including supervision of volunteers, interns, or student workers
- Support SSCAC staff at events, openings, and public programs by actively participating with needed tasks
- Maintaining a professional profile by participating in professional development opportunities which include participating in relevant conferences, and publishing writing related to our archives and collection for SSCAC website, social media platforms, and academic journals.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (with a focus in Archival and records management, rare books and manuscripts, digital preservation, and library conservation), Art History, or Museum Studies.

To apply for this position:

Please submit the following materials to rachel@sscartcenter.org:
● A cover letter explaining your interest in the role and in the South Side Community Art Center
● CV or Resume
● Two academic or professional (or one of each) references that can speak to your ability, accomplishments, and strengths as an applicant for this position

Application deadline: July 31, 2026