Introduction The Wisconsin Historical Society , considered one of the nation's finest historical institutions, is a State of Wisconsin government agency as well as a mission-driven entrepreneurial organization. The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS), founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. At its core, WHS believes that increasing the public's knowledge of history has profound societal, cultural, and economic benefit. Its library, archives and collections, historic sites and museums, historic preservation office, and extensive educational programs and community outreach are focused on our vision to enrich and transform lives through unparalleled access to history. Click here for more information about WHS' mission, vision, and core values.
WHS is committed to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization because we truly believe this is the most effective way to attract, engage, and retain the best talent and the most meaningful way to support our mission.
In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, we offer a competitive benefits package featuring:
- Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of vacation to start, 9 paid holidays, and ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year.
- Excellent and affordable health, vision, and dental benefits
- An exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment, plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan
- Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
- A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being
Click here for more information about working for WHS.
Position Summary The Wisconsin Historical Society is searching for an Attraction Director to lead Old World Wisconsin (OWW) which is among the nation's largest outdoor history attractions. This role is a civil service, non-partisan position. Located in Eagle, Wisconsin (Milwaukee Metropolitan Area), OWW opened in 1976 to share the story of Wisconsin's and the upper Midwest's rural, agriculture, and immigration history. This position ensures the operational success of one of the Society's three largest attractions and reports to the Administrator of Museums and Historic Sites. OWW comprises 600 rolling acres within the Kettle Moraine State Forest and has grown to more than 65 historic and 90 total structures. As an outdoor and interactive museum, guests are encouraged to explore the grounds, trail networks, and buildings at their own pace, where they encounter costumed facilitators, demonstrations, immersive experiences, and heritage breed animals. A typical guest visit encompasses a day of activities including shopping, transportation by tram, and dining options.
Old World Wisconsin is growing through significant investment in new experiences, guest service buildings, and major holiday events. In 2023, over 77,000 people visited the attraction including thousands of PK-12 students on field trips and people attending major holiday signature events. Attendance is expected to swell to nearly 90,000 people with the attraction's 50 th anniversary in 2026 and launch of a new visitor welcome experience. This multi-million-dollar investment includes a new brewhouse featuring 19 th century brewing demonstrations, Wittnebel's Tavern (authentic 1930s rural tavern), beer garden, updated café, and private event space in Clausing Barn, landscaping and green space, and visitor center with ticketing, amenities with universal design, and retail. Fundamental to the attraction's advance is the steady, strategic growth of its major holiday festivals. Additional investments in the historic zones will enhance daily experiences and interpretation to include a fuller history and diversity of people who call rural Wisconsin home. Key to the Attraction Director's success is making the new welcome experience operationally ready, advance on expanding the site's experiences, and continuing the growth momentum for attendance.
As a proven attraction leader, the Attraction Director will ensure operations are professional and efficient, meet or exceed attendance and revenue metrics, optimize financial performance, and cultivate regional community engagement. To achieve these goals, the Attraction Director leads a team of creative and dedicated full-time and seasonal staff using an "every guest, every day" philosophy within Guest Services, Experiences and Events, Animal Care, and Facilities and Grounds. This role also actively collaborates with the agency's centralized Collections, Marketing, Membership, Facilities, Guest Services, Information Technology, State Historic Preservation Office, Risk Management, and Finance departments. As the site's lead ambassador, the individual is the connector and advocate for private support in collaboration with the Wisconsin Historical Foundation (a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization that receives grants and private contributions benefitting the Society and administers the membership program) and Old World Foundation (an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports projects and programs at OWW) . With substantial private and public investment, and agency support, the Attraction Director is poised to lead OWW through a period of steady growth and to build a strong foundation for another 50 years as a beloved regional attraction.
Salary Information The salary will be between $42.00 - $58.13 per hour ($87,360 - $120,910 annually) in accordance with the provisions of the current Compensation Plan. This Historic Site Manager position is in pay schedule 81, range 01. A 2-year Career Executive trial period will be required.
Visit this link for a calculator of State of Wisconsin benefits: https://dpm.wi.gov/Pages/Employees/RewardsCalculator.aspx
Job Details A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment to determine if the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job.
Interested permanent classified state employees should complete this application process to apply.
WHS does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant being able to prove valid status to work in the United States.
Special Requirements : Physical ability to access a large outdoor historic site area, sometimes requiring walking several blocks under varied weather conditions, and enter all spaces in historic structures, ability to legally operate a state-owned motor vehicle in the state of Wisconsin, and ability to independently travel throughout Wisconsin, the Midwest, and nationally.
Qualifications Please make sure to describe the following qualifications within your resume and/or letter of qualifications in order to be considered for this position.
Minimally qualified candidate will have experience in all of the following:
- Attraction management by leading a department or work area with multiple reporting staff, including experience in setting schedules, implementing HR policies, and recruitment.
- Developing events, experiences, food and beverage, or retail areas with net revenue goals.
- Establishing and managing a budget with operational costs and revenue and expenses goals.
- Community engagement and outreach to tourism, local government, businesses, non-profits, or other stakeholders.
- Oversight of facility projects such as grounds, building repairs, and capitol projects.
In addition to minimum qualifications, a well-qualified candidate will additionally have experience in one of the following areas:
- Leading an attraction (zoo, amusement park, living history museum, or cultural institution, etc.) as a member of the executive leadership team.
- Leading strategic planning and implementation at an attraction inclusive of a goal such as attendance growth, revenue growth, or expansion.
- Leading operations at an attraction with multiple areas of responsibilities such as food and beverage, retail, guest services, experiences, facilities, grounds, etc.
How To Apply To apply, click "Apply for Job" to start the application process. Then, you will access your existing account or to create a new account if you don't have an account. Once you are logged in, click "Apply for Job." Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application.
Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications for your application and what should be included in these materials, click here for resume and letter of qualifications instructions. .
Submitted materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the hiring process.
WHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.
Questions may be directed to
[email protected] . or (608) 264-6409.
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions for general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance.
Deadline to Apply Applications are due at 11:59PM on July 29, 2025.
