Job Description
The Montana Historical Society (MTHS) saves our past, shares our stories and inspires exploration, to provide meaning for today and vision for tomorrow. MTHS accomplishes this work through six programs: Library & Archives, Museum, Outreach & Education, Publications, State Historical Preservation Office, and Administration. The agency employs approximately 100 people who work collaboratively to preserve Montana’s history and culture.
MTHS is seeking an experienced, visionary, and strategic leader to join our team as Chief Operations Officer (COO). The COO will play a critical role in overseeing the daily operations of the Society, providing top-level management decisions for finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, and facilities and security. The Chief Operations Officer ensures MTHS operates at the highest standards of efficiency to meet our mission.
Representative Duties:
Develop and implement operational strategies to support MTHS’s mission, vision, and long-term goals.
Provide leadership and directions for all operational aspects of the agency, including direct oversight of finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, and facilities and security.
Collaborate with senior management in MTHS’s five programmatic areas and public relations to optimize processes and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Manage budgets, resources, and staff to ensure efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
Oversee MTHS’s legislative planning process and represent MTHS at legislative hearings, speaking to the agency’s budget, projects, or providing other information.
Represents MTHS to other state agencies and to external entities such as counties, tribal and local governments, and others.
Develop and implement agency policies, standards, and procedures and ensure compliance with State of Montana and Federal regulations, policies, and procedures.
Report regularly to the MTHS Director and Board of Trustees with operational updates.
Education:
Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field.
Experience:
Minimum of five years of dedicated job-related experience, including three years of senior-level management experience.
Other combinations of education or experience may be substituted.
Qualifications:
Demonstrated leadership skills and experience managing diverse teams.
Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture.
Demonstrated knowledge of Montana state government operations and the Montana legislative process.
Passion for Montana history.
Hours of Operation:
The Montana Heritage Center operates seven days a week and is open all holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
As an employee of the Montana Historical Society your work hours may fall outside of a regular Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule.
In accordance with HB 13, this position will receive a $1.00 per hour raise or 2.5%, whichever is greater beginning July 1, 2026.
The following documents must be submitted to be considered for this position (be sure to mark each attachment as relevant):
Cover Leter
Resume
State of Montana Application (online)
The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.
State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.