Director of School Programs

Country Music Foundation Inc•Nashville, TN

6h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum has an opening for a full-time exempt Director of School Programs in the Education Department. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is an accredited institution with a significant cultural impact and educational mission. It documents and interprets the history of country music through its collection, educational programs, publications, and exhibitions. The Museum, located downtown, has a large footprint encompassing exhibition galleries, archival storage, retail, and event space. It also owns Hatch Show Print, operates Historic RCA Studio B, and features the Taylor Swift Education Center and performance spaces. The Museum was recently awarded the National Medal of Arts for its work in preserving history, honoring artists, and inspiring future generations. The Education Department is responsible for educating diverse audiences about country music through programs and resources that illuminate the Museum's galleries. It traditionally serves over 125,000 people annually through more than 2,000 programs, supporting students of all ages with hands-on learning and performance presentations. The department comprises a creative team of educators passionate about country music, popular culture, and lifelong learning, who collaborate to develop dynamic educational offerings. The Director of School Programs will lead the school programs team, overseeing curriculum-aligned services for teachers, students, and the community. This role involves guiding the development of classroom resources, professional development workshops, and curriculum guides that connect learning standards with exhibit content. The Director will also support the Words & Music® Program, the Museum’s flagship songwriting education program, and integrate best practices in museum education with academic standards. This position contributes to the success and growth of student and teacher services in the Taylor Swift Education Center and reports to the Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement.

Requirements

Master’s degree in education, museum studies, music, or related field
A minimum of 5 years work history in a museum or school
A minimum of 3 years supervisory experience
Significant understanding of museum education practices, including object-based and inquiry-based learning, visual thinking strategies, as well as knowledge of K-12 curriculum and standards
Significant experience working with children and adults through educational programming in diverse settings
Comfort navigating databases and analyzing reports
Proven ability to write high-quality, outcome-based lesson plans/curriculum
Previous experience designing and facilitating professional development programs for adult educators
Excellent writing, editing, and content development skills with strong attention to detail
Knowledge of American music history, songwriting, and educational pedagogy
Passion for children and a solid understanding of child development
Dedication to providing developmentally appropriate, engaging, and high-quality educational opportunities
Strong project planning, time-management, research, organizational, and analytical skills
Excellent dialogue-based teaching, public speaking, and written communication skills
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to work with accuracy and close attention to detail
Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends
Willingness to travel throughout Middle Tennessee and occasionally out of state
Valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Experienced music educator
Proficiency in songwriting, playing a musical instrument, and sound recording technology
Knowledge of ELA, STEAM, and arts integration
Experience with Ticketure and Tableau
Experience using WordPress to update Teacher Resource Portal content
Passion for and deep knowledge of country music
Knowledge of current music copyright and royalty laws

Responsibilities

Manage and evaluate full-time staff, on-call educators, and school program volunteers.
Oversee outcomes-based gallery tours, school programs, curriculum-aligned lesson materials, and online resources.
Oversee implementation of on-going training for tour guides including staff, on-call educators, and school tour volunteers.
Oversee teacher programs and offerings, including professional development programs and teacher appreciation events.
Manage school programs’ web content and organization, including the Teacher Resource Portal.
Support Words & Music school programs, including summer songwriting camp, partnership programs, student performances for Museum events, and more.
Lead planning, staff training, and ongoing evaluation for school programs.
Oversee development, implementation, and maintenance of curriculum-aligned programs and lesson materials, including digital resources that support asynchronous learning.
Support recruitment, onboarding, and training for local professional songwriters that participate in Words & Music.
Connect current national educational initiatives to the Museum’s educational offerings, including National Arts Standards, college and career readiness, STEAM, and early childhood education, among others.
Lead planning and coordination for partnership theater programs including String City (school shows), All Access, and special programs.
Lead curriculum-aligned education initiatives related to exhibition content.
Support educational grant initiatives through planning, execution, evaluation, and ongoing refinement.
In collaboration with the Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement, plan and facilitate the annual student art exhibition and program in Taylor Swift Education Center with partner schools and contracted artists.
Lead evaluation efforts across all aspects of school programs, including assessment of current offerings and materials through utilizing logic model frameworks, implementing assessments, analyzing outcomes, and making modifications to ensure programs meet desired outcomes.
Lead collaborations with partner schools, program partners, and area school districts.
Represent and promote the Museum by attending meetings, workshops, and conferences, as necessary.
Oversee department reporting, records, and budget with accuracy and attention to detail and oversee quarterly and annual reporting with timeliness.
Contribute knowledge and insights to school programs’ publicity and marketing efforts to area educators and education institutions, including the creation of e-blasts, brochures, mailings, speaking appearances, and other such pieces and engagements.
Increase national profile of the Museum’s curriculum-aligned offerings to grow services provided outside Tennessee.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Options
Competitive Pay
Paid Vacation and Sick Days
Paid Holidays (14) and Floating Holidays (2)
401(K) with Up to 3% Employer Match
Employee Assistance Program (Free Counseling and Legal Services)
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
FREE 24/7 Downtown Parking and Transit Benefits
Continuing Professional Offerings
Complimentary Museum Admission (For Yourself, Family, and Friends)
Reciprocal Partnerships with Local Venues (The Nashville Zoo, National Museum of African American Music, tours at The Opry and The Ryman Auditorium, and more)
Up to 25% Discount in Retail Stores and Onsite Restaurant Venues
Opportunities to Attend Exhibit Openings, Concerts and Special Events
Employee Engagement Activities and Opportunities
FSA and Dependent Care Options
Dog Friendly Work Environment
Volunteering and Community Engagement Opportunities