Manager [Children’s Discovery Museum, Normal, IL]

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The starting salary for this position is $59,203.00 to $80,770.00 depending upon qualifications; the full

salary range for this position is $59,203.00 to $94,152.00.

Children’s Discovery Museum

The Children’s Discovery Museum operates as a Division of the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department. The

mission of the Museum is to inspire the love of learning through the power of play. Through programming,

hands-on exhibits and positive interaction, the Museum builds confidence and fosters creativity in today’s youth, enhances critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills in tomorrow’s workforce, and inspires a more innovative approach for educating the future. The Museum is a destination not only for local families but for visitors throughout the country! Adjacent to Amtrak and Illinois State University, the Museum offers a unique opportunity for travelers, students, educators and community visitors. Please visit the website

(www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net) for additional information about the museum.

Parks and Recreation Department

The Parks and Recreation Department is one of the most active departments in the Town of Normal. Programs and facilities managed by the Department are of the highest quality. In addition to the Children’s Discovery Museum, the Department also manages the historic Normal Theater, Ironwood Golf Course, 17 parks encompassing over 700 acres of parkland, the Community Activity Center, outdoor aquatic centers, a 10 field softball complex, and a multi-use recreational trail. This department also provides a well-rounded selection of programs and classes for youth, adults and special populations.

DUTIES/ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Plans and manages the business operations of the Children’s Discovery Museum. Screens, interviews and recommends applicants for positions.
• Prioritizes and assigns, monitors and controls the work of the museum staff. Selects and recommends staff training, supervises, reviews and conducts training as needed.
• Conducts performance evaluations on staff and performs all duties associated with supervising professional, skilled and semi-skilled staff.
• Supervises the development and construction of museum exhibits and educational programming.
• Develops and submits division budget, monitors and controls budget expenditures.
• Facilities long and short range planning for the Museum operation.
• Reviews and recommends revenue strategies, business operation strategies and expenses to ensure sustainable operations, working closely with the Assistant Director of Business Operations and Recreation.
• Assists with coordinating the fundraising activities defined by the Museum Foundation and Town that support the museum operations. Writes, seeks out, lobbies for, and administers, private, state and federal grants.
• Establishes the museum’s operational policies and procedures and ensures compliance.
• Ensures a successful volunteer program.
• Promotes the museum through planned advertising, mailings, community appearances, presentations, and other media as appropriate.
• Partners with other Divisions and Departments as well as other community stakeholders to promote the Museum, its programs, activities and opportunities.
• Resolves various operational problems as they arise, including customer service issues, staff problems and any other issues that may affect the Museum, the Department or the Town.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITIES:

• Considerable skill in writing proposals and grants for submission to state or federal agencies, or individual, corporate, or foundation donors.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and the Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to recommend and learn new technologies to support operational efficiencies.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of successful customer service, business operations and/or museum management.
• Working knowledge of educational programs and exhibits attractive to patrons of youth museums.
• Considerable skill in interpersonal relations, oral and written communication, building teamwork, and developing successful organizational structures.
• Thorough understanding of community relations, educational experiences, donor development, event planning, tourism and business strategies that support long-term operations of a Children’s Museum.
• Exceptional ability to implement strategies that successfully align with the Museum’s short- and long-term strategic plan.
• Considerable ability to develop positive and effective relationships with Museum stakeholders, including patrons, donors, municipal officials, peers, staff, volunteers and the community.
• Ability to effectively select, train, supervise, and manage employees.
• Ability to effectively promote the museum and positively influence fundraising efforts.

DESIRABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business management, museum sciences, education, parks and recreation administration, tourism or a related field, thorough experience in managing an educational, business or service operation and progressively responsible experience in a supervisory capacity; or any other combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.