Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society

Reports to: Board of Directors
Location: Drumheller, Alberta (onsite presence required)
Closing Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

About the Society

The Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society is a non-profit, registered charitable organization that serves to support the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. Founded in 1993, the Society generates revenue by managing the official Museum Shop, organizing annual membership drives, and collecting philanthropic donations. The Society reinvests these proceeds directly back into the Museum, funding essential scientific research, gallery enhancements, postdoctoral fellowships, and educational outreach initiatives like the Badlands Science Camp to help the institution achieve its scientific and public mandates.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive of the Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society. The ED provides strategic leadership and operational oversight to advance the Society's mission of supporting the scientific, educational, exhibit, and community initiatives of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. This role is pivotal in fostering a positive work culture, driving fundraising, optimizing revenue streams, stewarding donor relationships, and ensuring strong governance and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

1.Strategic and Operational Leadership

- Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to advance the mission, goals, and values of the Society.
- Lead the implementation of the Society's strategic plan in partnership with the Board and Museum leadership.
- Prepare and execute annual plans for communications, revenue generation, and community relations based on the Society's strategic priorities.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations including program development, implementation and evaluation, financial management, human resources, and administration.
- Provide direction for program strategies, efficiencies, and compliance.
- Along with a designated board member, foster alignment between the Society and Museum through regular communication and collaboration.

2. Fund Development and Revenue Generation

Develop and lead a comprehensive fundraising plan including:

- Grant writing and reporting
- Corporate partnerships and sponsorships




- Individual donor cultivation and stewardship
- Optimize profitability of the Museum Shop, including retail and online operations, and expand merchandise offerings aligned with Museum themes.
- Invest excess Shop revenue per Society Investment Policy.
- Develop and manage the annual budget in alignment with the Society's priorities and ensure sustainability.
- Provide monthly and year-to-date financial reports, profit and loss statements, and balance sheets.
- Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements, as well as adherence to ethical and best practice standards. This includes CRA compliance, audit preparedness, and sound financial controls.
- Manage Society and Shop cash flow.
- Coordinate and assist with all audits.
- Review year-end draft financial statements to ensure accuracy.
- Review the accuracy of all Society and Shop financial reports on a monthly basis.
- Create annual operational budgets, track expenditures, and report actual costs to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.
- Provide quarterly financial and budgetary reports to the Government of Alberta as required.
- Approve Society and Museum-requested expenditures, obtaining Board approval when necessary.
- Track capital assets.
- Ensure accuracy of Society bank deposits.
- Verify and approve online payroll deposits, transfers, and remittances.

4.Program Support and Distribution of Funds

Collaborate with Museum leadership on direction of Society's funds:

- Research and postdoctoral fellowships
- Educational initiatives, including camps and school programs
- Capital projects and exhibit development
- Community outreach and partnerships

Liaise with Museum Director of Operations regarding Badlands Science Camp operations.

Liaise with Museum Director of Research and Preservation regarding Postdoctoral Fellow research projects.

5.Board Relations and Governance

- Coordinate Society board meetings,



including the Annual General Meeting.
- Report regularly to the Board of Directors
- Serve as the key liaison to the Board of Directors and provide:
- Executive summary reports at board meetings
- Strategic plan progress updates
- Proposals requiring Board approval, such as spending, policy, programming, Museum support, and distribution initiatives
- Support for board development, orientation, and committee engagement
- Write and publish the Society Annual Report.
- Ensure Society licensing and registration remains current.

6. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

- Develop and maintain relationships with local community partners, tourism organizations, donors, members, and volunteers.
- Represent the Society at public events, conferences, and in the media.
- Promote the Society's work through strategic communications and public relations efforts.
- Act as liaison between Museum management, Board of Directors, Government of Alberta, and local community.

7. Human Resources Management

- Issue and manage Society employment agreements.
- Develop salary grids.
- Hire, train, evaluate, and discipline Administrative, Postdoctoral, and Senior staff.
- Manage benefits program.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, museum studies, or related field.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in a nonprofit or related sector.
- Experience working with or reporting to a board of directors.
- Familiarity with museum operations or educational programming is an asset.
- Demonstrated commitment to community service and public education.

Additional Information

- Must be available for occasional weekend/evening events.
- Some travel may be required for donor engagement or sector representation.
- A deep appreciation for natural history and science education is considered an asset.
- Core Competencies and Skills Solid fundraising and donor cultivation skills.
- Experience with retail operations.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and public relations skills.
- Financial literacy, including budgeting and cash flow management.
- Strategic thinking and ability to align multiple stakeholders.
- Knowledge of CRA charitable compliance (or willingness to learn).

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📌 Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society - Executive Director (Drumheller)
🏢 Tyrrellmuseum
📍 Drumheller