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The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (CW) enters a transformative chapter as it celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary and CW’s 100th in 2026. CW announces a search for its next chief curator and senior vice president (SVP) as it readies to meet this historic moment. It welcomes America—and the world—in honoring the past, engaging in the present, and inspiring the future.
CW is America’s premier living history institution and the world’s largest U.S. history museum. Located at the birthplace of American democracy, CW advances knowledge and provides education through historical interpretation, historical and material culture research, archaeology, architectural preservation and restoration. CW stewards some of the country’s most important treasures and is a convener of conversations about how the nation’s past is a prologue for its present and future.
After more than four decades of dedicated service, the organization’s long-standing chief curator and SVP is stepping down, creating a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to shape the future of one of America’s most iconic cultural institutions. Reporting to President and CEO Cliff Fleet, the incoming SVP will be a respected scholar and thought leader with deep expertise in American cultural and historical collections, particularly those related to the Revolutionary era. This individual will bring a fresh perspective to how the museum delivers its content—balancing innovation and storytelling with a steadfast commitment to historical authenticity and tradition.
The SVP will oversee curatorial, conservation, exhibition, and extensive collections responsibilities for two museums, 15 historic sites, and 77,000 antiques and works of art across a 301-acre historic area encompassing 604 buildings. The SVP will be a member of the CEO’s senior leadership team, demonstrating intellectual agility and the ability to offer thought leadership that transcends their core discipline, bringing fresh perspectives, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, and contributing meaningfully to broader institutional and cultural conversations. The SVP will collaborate closely with leadership in the historic preservation and education teams to ensure the museum’s offerings are optimized, relevant, inclusive, and engaging to diverse audiences of all ages and demographics.
This executive oversees the offices of Curatorial Operations, Conservation, Historic Interiors, Art Museum Operations, Exhibition Design and Production, Educational Conferences, and Libraries, a team of nearly 150 professionals. The SVP will represent an empathetic, supportive, and inclusive environment for staff and visitors in word and deed. CW’s commitment to sharing the complete and fact-based history of early America and enabling the broadest audience to connect to the past without barriers–real or perceived–is only possible if there is commitment throughout the organization.
CW’s transformational $600M Power of Place Campaign is well underway. The SVP will speak passionately on behalf of the campaign and its initiatives, share CW’s mission, and connect with donors and other supporters when the opportunity arises. The campaign recently passed the $500M mark and is scheduled to conclude in the Spring of 2027. The SVP will also act as a key advisor to the Board of Trustees, including responsibility for select committees.
The ideal candidate will hold, at minimum, a master’s degree in history, art history, museum studies, or a related field, have a profound understanding of and appreciation for historical context, and be known for stimulating thoughtful conversation while maintaining political neutrality. They will understand the evolving landscape of modern museum experiences and be adept at delivering content across multiple platforms in ways that resonate with contemporary audiences.
The SVP will have a record of accomplishment catalyzing growth and transformation and will be an experienced manager who understands how to lead effectively through influence and inspiration.
The SVP will be a fully engaged colleague throughout the organization and a member of the Williamsburg, Virginia, community. Most importantly, candidates must be mission-focused leaders with a passion for working within a nonprofit and board governance environment. This is a rare opportunity to lead with tradition and imagination—to honor the past while inspiring the future.
WittKieffer is assisting The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in this search. The search process is underway and will continue until the position is filled.
Applications and nominations are invited. Application materials should be submitted using the WittKieffer Candidate Portal, a secure, easy way to nominate a colleague, express confidential interest, or apply for this position (see buttons below).
Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.
Inquiries can be directed to WittKieffer Consultants:
Links to the WittKieffer Candidate Portal are temporarily disabled while we make system upgrades. If you would like to apply, nominate, or inquire, please use the email address included in the job description.