Director of Programs and Education
About The Position
The Director of Programs and Education manages Minnetrista’s Programs department through the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational and entertaining programming. The role also manages Visitor Services and Experience Guide functions to create positive experiences for guests. As a member of the Leadership Team, the Director participates in strategic and operational discussions and decision-making and supervises and coaches a team in support of institutional goals and outcomes. The position directs and evaluates programming and visitor services for adults, families, schools, and diverse audiences. It builds relationships with regional schools and community education groups, leads cross-departmental program development, manages departmental budgets, and collaborates with internal and external partners to deliver visitor-centered experiences aligned with the organization’s mission. The role calls for a collaborative, visitor-centric approach and professional working relationships throughout the organization and community.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in education, history, art, natural history/environmental education, or a related field, and/or related experience.
- Five to eight years of informal education or teaching background, including developing and evaluating audience-specific experiences.
- Experience developing, leading, or managing programs that educate and entertain different age groups.
- Management experience leading staff in creating and executing programs and experiences that attract and engage audiences.
- Strong initiative, communication, multitasking, organizational, and project management skills.
- Ability to work individually and collaboratively.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to learn new software as necessary.
- Ability to work with diverse staff and members of the public with a strong customer service mindset.
- Alignment with Minnetrista’s cultural values and visitor-centric focus.
- Ability to cultivate and maintain professional credibility with staff, administration, and volunteers, and demonstrate maturity, sound judgment, a positive attitude, and collaboration.
- Schedule flexibility, including availability for occasional evenings and weekends.
- Ability to reach overhead, handle items weighing approximately 20 pounds, and move about the entire 40-acre campus.
Nice To Haves
- Museum experience and/or a degree in museum studies or education.
- Experience with CRM software; Altru by Blackbaud is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Direct, manage, and evaluate the Programs Department and Visitor Services functions.
- Oversee the development, delivery, and assessment of drop-in and scheduled programs for adults, families, schools, and diverse audiences.
- Strengthen relationships with regional schools by developing relevant educational programming and coordinating with teachers and administrators.
- Serve as a liaison to community education groups, including Cradle to Career Muncie.
- Supervise and mentor Visitor Services leads and Experience Guide leads to provide admissions and ticketing services, answer visitor questions, share information, and deliver excellent customer service.
- Lead a cross-departmental team in generating programming ideas for target audiences and outcomes that address community interests and needs and the organizational mission.
- Develop and manage Programs and Visitor Services departmental budgets and finances responsibly.
- Establish and maintain collaborations with external organizations and individuals to bring visitor-centered experiences to the community.
- Collaborate with Exhibitions and Collections staff to develop complementary programming that supports the organization’s mission and storytelling.
- Collaborate with other departments to develop and assess target-audience goals and strategies and help fulfill partner expectations.
- Demonstrate the organization’s vision, values, mission, goals, and strategies; support organizational purpose through collaboration and teamwork.
- Perform other required duties.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
