Description

The Director of Audience Engagement leads the Audience Engagement division at WSHS, which develops and delivers exhibits, school programs, and public programs to the Society’s many audiences. The Director of Audience Engagement reports to the Director to translate organizational vision into action through programming.   This position has the day-to-day responsibility of integrating the work of education, exhibit, and outreach staff at the museum. Direct reports include the exhibits curator, public programs manager, and outreach coordinator, among others.

The Director of Audience Engagement leads the Society’s efforts to provide meaningful history-based and cultural experiences for audiences at the Washington State History Museum, the State Capital Museum, and in the larger community.  The Director of Audience Engagement works directly with the Director and other senior leaders to define the museum’s strategies for programming, engagement and learning. On a practical level, this involves the development of exhibits, the development and delivery of K-12 focused programming, and the development and delivery of public programs both on site and in the community. This position contributes to the mission of the Society by shaping the strategies and mechanisms by which we engage and educate our visitors on the history of Washington State. This position is also focused on developing strategies for growing audiences, improving community access to WSHS resources and programs, and developing community connections that will grow and sustain WSHS for the long term.

In order to be considered for this position you must submit all application materials via www.careers.wa.gov.

Requirements

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies.

  • Master’s degree in History, Museum Studies, or other relevant field, as well as a minimum of 5 years of curatorial, exhibits, interpretation, or museum education experience OR 10+ years of curatorial, exhibits, interpretation or museum education experience.
  • Must have 3+ years supervisory and leadership experience.
  • Proven experience running and successfully completing large-scale projects, meeting deadlines.
  • Evidence of strong collaboration skills, both with internal and external audiences.
  • Must have strong leadership skills and a proven track record as a competent manager with sophisticated skills in problem-solving,      organizational strategy, and budget creation and management.
  • Ability to maintain comprehensive departmental budgets, able to understand and appropriately forecast both expenses and revenue, and a proven ability to work within a budget given dynamic operating conditions.
  • Demonstrated understanding of, and receptiveness to, the uses of emerging technologies in museum experience as well as demonstrated experience in developing interactive, hands-on learning experiences.
  • Ability to assist and instruct museum staff, department staff, interns and volunteers with patient, respectful, and supportive approach.
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Prioritizes to meet deadlines. Contemplates larger issues and ideas while also thinking logically to maintain consistency and accuracy in work.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies.

  • Knowledge of Washington State history.
  • Evidence of success in fundraising or assisting in obtaining grants.
  • Evidence of active participation in the profession.
  • Evidence of using creative methods in developing museum exhibits and programming.
  • Track record of growing museum audiences, and/or engaging with new audiences.
Job Information
  • Tacoma, Washington, 98402, United States
  • 25573544
  • November 4, 2015
  • Director of Audience Engagement
  • Washington State Historical Society
  • Assistant/Deputy/Associate Director
  • No
  • Full-Time
  • Indefinite
  • Master’s Degree
  • 5-7 Years
  • 10-25%
  • $75,000.00 – $85,000.00 (Yearly Salary