Director-Learning and Engagement [The Henry Ford, Dearborn, MI]

Description

The Henry Ford, located in Dearborn, Michigan, has an exciting opportunity for the position Director of Learning and Engagement!

Schools and organizations today are struggling to adapt to our rapidly changing world and failing to innovate to meet its challenges.  Our young people as well as life-long learners deserve better.   We are on the lookout for a passionate, fearless innovator who seeks to equip today’s educators and learners with the power of The Henry Ford’s (THF) philosophy of learning-by-doing along with the organization’s assets and resources to transform teaching and learning for their students and communities.  Our priority is to create innovation literacy in underserved communities and for learners across our nation.  We are developing tomorrow’s innovative leaders today – our future depends on it.  Become part of our team and see beyond what is, to imagine, then implement, what if.

As a member of the Experience Team, that consists of Historical Resources, Experience Design, Museums and Attractions, Digital and Emerging Media, Food Experiences, and Information Technology Services, the Director of Learning and Engagement leads strategic growth of the overall Learning and Engagement institution wide initiative, and implementation and further development of unique learning tools, materials, processes and experiences for educators, students, parents and life-long learners. This person will report directly to the Executive Vice President and focus on four major areas of work as: grow and deepen THF’s role and impact in the primary market of 4th through 9th grade learners, secondary market of other students and life long-learners in terms of innovation literacy; further develop and create tools, materials and strategies for effective program implementation for school field trips and learner experiences in our museums, attractions and digital platform; professional development for internal staff, educators, students and communities of the THF as well as our partners such as Henry Ford Academy and Henry Ford Learning Institute’s network of schools; and, expanding THF’s national presence related to innovation literacy by use of THF’s collections, museums, resources for teaching/learning ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation. The Director of Learning Engagement will educate The Henry Ford’s leadership with best practices and new educational initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Leadership:  This position will lead and manage the area of Learning and Engagement product development for digital platforms and our museums and attractions. This position is responsible for the leadership, strategic direction, design and development of learning products and programs, which have measurable outcomes that create success in achieving THF’s strategic goals of Community Impact, Relevance, Sustainability and National Awareness. This position is also responsible for creating transparency, developing and empowering staff and accountable for achieving Learning and Engagement’s organizational, team and individual staff goals and objectives. This position will also create enthusiasm for building an outcomes-driven culture that helps educators and learners in THF’s communities succeed.
2. Business planning: Working within the institutional context, develops a strategic plan to address the four major areas of work, long-range objectives, establishes an annual business plan and budget; monitors progress toward strategic and annual goals.  Responsible for developing and maintaining a variety of organizationally related partnerships.
3. Collaboration: Work with the Learning and Engagement team and other departments to provide support for the institutional strategic direction. In collaboration with Marketing and other staff, articulates the Learning and Engagement brand identity; ensures visitor studies and analysis, identifies new audience opportunities and develops new products to serve them.  Works with Museums & Attractions, Experience Design, Historical Resources and Digital and Emerging Media to ensure fulfillment of educational strategies for field trips, learning resources, professional development, programs, competitions and events. Including working with the Digital and Emerging Media Team on the improvement and expansion of electronic educational program delivery and educator resources to increase user access, improve efficiency, reduce costs of services, and expand revenue opportunities primarily through electronic products.
4. Teamwork: Promotes positive and cooperative team environment with Learning and Engagement team members. Creates and works with cross functional teams with the venue teams, and other units throughout the institution in order to achieve desired results for product and program development. Builds strong working relationships with the Senior Management Team; and in particular with the directors of Historical Resources, Museums and Attractions, Guest Services, Facilities, Marketing and Media and Film Relations, and Experience Design.
5. Measuring and Tracking Impact: Work with colleagues to develop and sustain formal and informal visitor learning evaluation tools for measuring the strategic outcomes of educational products for exhibitions, programs and digital platforms to improve product quality and positively enhance the scope of THF’s impact.
6. Expertise: Maintains high level of expertise in formal and informal learning as well as museum education issues.
7. Henry Ford Academy (HFA) and Henry Ford Learning Institute (HFLI):  participates and ensures continual integration of The Henry Ford’s Learning and Engagement Team with HFA and HFLI as well as monitors progress toward collaborative goals.
8. Acts as public spokesperson for the institution, when appropriate. As well as, advocating THF as a national educational resource for American History and especially the traditions of innovation, resourcefulness and ingenuity.
9. Responsible for development of creative work which includes, but is not limited to, publications in any medium, product and program development and design, and all related collateral materials.
10. Performs other activities as necessary.

Please apply on our web site and upload cover letter and resume to the online application.

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Requires Bachelor Degree, preferred Master’s Degree in content area related to the museum’s mission or equivalent experience.  Minimum five years’ progressively demonstrated experience in education, museums or related organizations, with several years of these at a management level.  Must demonstrate leadership and success in:  development and implementation of educational programs; managing staff and budgets; accomplishing goals in a team environment; securing external funding for projects. Must be familiar with basic principles of education development for a variety of audiences; marketing and public relations; project management; and public presentatio

SPECIAL SKILLS

Fantastic organization skills including the ability to work autonomously and prioritize competing needs. Excellent oral and written communication skills, high level teamwork skills, management skills, and an understanding of best practices and benchmarks in the education field.  The ability to interact effectively with a wide range of people, internally and externally, to accomplish common goals, and to resolve potential conflicts is critical.  Respect for and the ability to connect and communicate with front-line staff.  Requires solid computer skills and fluency using Google Apps products (Gmail, Calendar, Docs), Microsoft Office Suite, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter etc. A familiarity with and ability to negotiate and positively resolve legal issues is important.  Available for holiday, evening and weekend work as required.
Please apply on our web site and upload cover letter and resume to the online application.