Posted August 29, 2014

Are you passionate about arts, culture, and history?
Do you believe in the power of education, and envision lively, vibrant, and impactful programs that inspire as well as teach?
Are you ambitious enough to want the world to know about the awesome legacy of African American achievement?
Are you looking for more than just a job, but a meaningful purpose and mission?

Then this could be YOU: the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History seeks an inspirational, creative, ambitious, passionate, and self-motivated leader to direct a team that conceives, organizes, presents, and evaluates the museum’s full range of imaginative educational and public programming for youth, adults, and families. The Director of Education must be a tireless, energetic, passionate, self-directed, innovative, and productive advocate for education. The Director of Education serves as a key member of the museum’s senior staff, helping the museum successfully fulfill its educational mission. This full-time position includes the supervision of a talented group of full and part-time staff. The museum’s education offerings include lectures, symposia, school and family programs that range in topics from African American art, history, science, literature, and other topics.

If you have strong interpersonal skills, high-impact creativity, a demonstrated record of innovative educational programming, and knowledge and appreciation of African American history, then your opportunity of a lifetime is here!

General Description of the Job

The Director of Education inspires and manages a department that conceives, organizes, and presents high-caliber, high-profile, dynamic, captivating and compelling educational programs for youth and adults. These programs attract national attention and enhance The Wright Museum’s reputation as a lively forum where people of all ages can learn about African American history and culture.

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Assessment & Community Engagement, the Director of Education serves as a key, contributing member of the museum’s senior staff. In addition, the Director of Education and the entire education department play a critical role in advancing the museum’s strategic plan.

Specific Responsibilities and Functions

Learn everything possible about the museum and its mission, history, programming, and needs
Serve as a visionary, ambitious, highly-creative, resourceful, and inspiring leader of a group of talented educators
Effectively lead a productive, smoothly-functioning education team by setting a clear vision for the education department, setting annual goals and efficiently managing the department, and ensuring the team is fulfilling the institution’s strategic plan
Guide the implementation of all educational initiatives
Act as a creative, entrepreneurial, and “intrapreneurial” catalyst for the education department and the museum, exploring and producing robust ideas for exciting and impactful new educational opportunities, partnerships and programs
Ensure that the education department is performing at the highest levels of professional educational standards
In collaboration with members of the department, develops annual budgets and ensures that income targets are met and expenses kept within budget. Prepares periodic budget revisions and other financial reports.
Regularly assess staff performance and the department’s progress in meeting short-term and long-range objectives
Build the best education department team and ensures that productivity and consistently high-quality performance standards are maintained
Lead in the creation and implementation of all educational programs, publications, and materials generated by the department to insure that they are of the highest quality in terms of approach, content, and presentation. Serve as a member of the museum’s editorial board.
Ambitiously develop and oversee a full-calendar of high-profile and impactful events
Perform other tasks as assigned, including preparation of reports and presentations to the Board of Trustees, funders, community leaders, and others as needed.
COMPENSATION

Salary commensurate with experience; full benefits package including medical, dental, paid vacation, holidays, personal and sick time.

If you’re ready to commit your passion, creativity, and energy towards The Wright’s mission, then email your cover letter, résumé, and two writing samples, including at least one example of a professional / business nature, to hr2@chwmuseum.org. PLEASE, NO PHONE CALLS OR DROP-INS. SUBMISSIONS WITHOUT ALL FOUR REQUESTED ITEMS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

Job Requirements
General Qualifications and Requirements

The ideal candidate should have:

Graduate degree in museum education, history, education, or a related discipline, and/or the equivalent background derived from work experience
Seven or more years of demonstrated success developing and managing education programs in museums, educational institutions, and/or other non-profit cultural organizations
At minimum three of the seven years must involve supervision of several staff members and management of a complex budget
Active interest in African American history and culture, the arts, and a willingness to continually immerse one’s self in these areas
Strong written and oral communication skills
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google products (Google apps, mail, drive, etc.)
The knowledge, self-confidence and poise necessary to represent the museum at the highest levels and to lead a team of creative individuals
Ability to manage numerous projects / assignments simultaneously
Be available to regularly oversee and take part in programs outside of normal office hours and on some holidays and weekends
APPLY FOR THIS JOB

Email Address: hr2@chwmuseum.org