Posted 9/26/14
The Skirball Cultural Center (SCC) of Los Angeles, a dynamic cultural institution devoted to exploring and strengthening connections between people and communities, is seeking a Head of Family Programs and Community Engagement as a key manager within its Education Department. This individual will lead a team that develops and implements participatory and experiential activities, workshops, festivals, performances, and other programs for families of all types, especially those with young children. The Skirball’s family programs relate to and take place within its museum galleries, art studio and archaeological dig spaces, indoor and outdoor performance spaces, and the award-winning destination Noah’s Ark at the Skirball. An important facet of family programs is the facilitation of community engagement through collaboration with partner groups, artists, and other local institutions with values-aligned missions.

Job Requirements

  • Oversees the selection, planning, organization, and implementation of a wide variety of offerings for families and their children, including drop-in programs, performances, festivals, classes, sleepovers, studio projects, archaeological programs, and in-gallery experiences.
  • Shapes family programs to achieve Education Department goals; strengthens the Skirball’s reputation as a major family destination that supports family learning through the arts, cross-cultural programming, and inter-generational experiences.
  • Manages a team of regular and on-call staff and volunteers (including a Teen Corps and adult volunteers); provides leadership, support, and guidance to ensure content and experience goals are met.
  • Participates as a key member of the Education Department’s management team; collaborates effectively with other managers and the Vice President of Education to set goals and priorities, cultivate leadership, guide staff, and further department goals.
  • Forges partnerships and co-develops programs with mission-aligned community organizations and sister institutions, which serve and promote engagement among diverse audiences and focus on improving the larger community.
  • Works closely with members of other Skirball departments—especially Public Programs, Operations, Communications and Marketing, and Private Events—to ensure smooth, collaborative planning and successful promotion and implementation of all Skirball family programs.
  • Establishes and implements plans for assessment of family programs; fosters a culture of reflection and evaluation through collection of visitor feedback and staff reflections, and incorporates these in meaningful ways.
  • Identifies innovative artists and performers for family programs. Shapes or collaborates on content to ensure appropriateness, accessibility, and mission alignment for a general family audience. Negotiates/contracts for their services.
  • Develops and writes planning and program materials for programs, and oversees their production and distribution.
  • Develops annual budget and track/controls expenses to ensure compliance with approved budget.

PLEASE NOTE: Relocation is not part of the salary and benefit package for this position. Local / in-state applications preferred.