Assistant Director of Exhibits, Experience and Programming

Gallagher & Associates - Museum Operations•Mantua Township, NJ

1d•$80,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Exhibits, Experiences, and Programming is a key leader in the Exhibits, Experiences, and Programming Department at the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University. The role supports the Director of Exhibits, Experiences, and Programming (DEEP) in managing the department’s day-to-day operations and provides daily leadership for its team. It manages the execution of programs, experiences, and learning initiatives so the DEEP can focus on institutional strategy, new initiatives, grant development, partnerships, and long-range planning. The Assistant Director helps develop and deliver educational offerings, visitor experiences, and public programs that bring the story of Edelman Fossil Park to life. A major priority is supporting a comprehensive K–12 STEM learning program using the fossil quarry, museum collections, scientific research, and the fossil park’s story to create engaging, standards-aligned experiences for students and teachers. The role translates strategy into day-to-day execution while fostering creativity, curiosity, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This full-time, exempt, on-site position is based at the museum in Mantua Township, New Jersey. It involves regular interaction with staff, visitors, volunteers, educators, community partners, and other external stakeholders. Work takes place indoors and outdoors, potentially in varying weather conditions, and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events. Occasional travel is required for meetings, conferences, school outreach, and professional development. The anticipated start date is ASAP.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, science, museum studies, informal learning, communications, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
Seven or more years of progressive experience in museum education, informal science education, programming, visitor experience, exhibitions, science centers, schools, cultural institutions, or a related field.
At least three years of experience supervising and developing staff.
Successful completion of required pre-employment screenings, including criminal background and child abuse clearance checks, as permitted by applicable law.
Demonstrated experience developing, managing, and evaluating K–12 STEM or informal learning programs.
Strong understanding of educational standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards and/or New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
Ability to manage multiple programs, projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
Strong leadership, organizational, scheduling, and project management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with educators, administrators, staff, donors, community partners, and the public.
Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships and partnerships with schools, community organizations, educational institutions, and other external stakeholders.
Commitment to creating engaging, inclusive, and accessible experiences for diverse audiences.
Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
Ability to travel occasionally for meetings, conferences, school outreach, and professional development.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as needed to meet the position’s requirements.
Ability to move throughout museum facilities and outdoor program areas.
Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, reach, and perform other physical activities associated with museum operations and educational programming.
Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to operate standard office equipment and technology.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education, science education, museum education, informal learning, museum studies, or a related field, or commensurate years of experience.
Experience working in a science museum, natural history museum, science center, or similar institution.
Experience developing exhibitions, interpretive experiences, or visitor engagement initiatives.
Experience with program evaluation, audience research, learning analytics, or assessment.
Experience supervising or managing live-animal programs.
Experience developing earned-revenue programs, fee-for-service educational programs, or other revenue-generating initiatives.
Experience developing partnerships with colleges and universities.
Familiarity with grant-funded educational programs and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

Serve as the DEEP’s primary operational partner and provide day-to-day leadership for the Exhibits, Experiences, and Programming team.
Supervise, manage, coach, and evaluate assigned staff.
Set priorities, manage workloads, coordinate staffing, and ensure appropriate coverage across programs and visitor experiences.
Act as the first escalation point for staff, program, and visitor issues, and keep the DEEP informed of significant priorities, risks, challenges, and outcomes.
Ensure programs, experiences, and initiatives are delivered on time, within budget, and to high standards of quality, safety, accessibility, and visitor experience.
Promote collaboration, innovation, accountability, and exceptional visitor service.
Coordinate the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a K–12 STEM learning portfolio with the DEEP and Education Team, including school field trips, fossil digs, classroom outreach, virtual programs, camps, scouting programs, and family learning.
Build and maintain relationships with school districts, educators, county and state education organizations, Rowan University, and community partners.
Develop partnerships to expand educational program access, particularly for Title I schools and historically underserved communities.
Collaborate with museum scientists and researchers to incorporate current research and discoveries into hands-on learning experiences.
Provide the DEEP with program data, outcomes, and supporting materials for program improvement and for pursuing grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and fee-for-service opportunities.
Support initiatives that increase the visibility, accessibility, and impact of the museum’s STEM education offerings.
Support development and execution of year-round interpretive experiences, public programs, events, and seasonal activities.
Help create visitor experiences connecting guests with the science, history, biodiversity, and story of the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum.
Collaborate with museum leadership, scientists, educators, and other departments to translate scientific content into engaging experiences for diverse audiences.
Identify opportunities to strengthen visitor engagement, increase participation, and generate revenue.
Ensure programs and experiences are inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and appropriate for a broad range of ages and audiences.
Develop opportunities for wonder, surprise, and discovery throughout the visitor experience.
Oversee program-related purchasing, supplies, equipment, and vendor relationships, ensuring programs remain within approved budgets.
Work with staff to develop project timelines and deliverables and keep projects on schedule.
Identify operational efficiencies and opportunities to improve program quality and sustainability.
Ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place for school visits, youth programs, child protection, animal interactions, outdoor activities, and other specialized programming.
Foster a collaborative work environment that encourages employee engagement, professional development, and continuous improvement.