Boston Children’s Museum is the second oldest, and one of the most influential children’s museums in the world. It was founded in 1913 by the Science Teachers’ Bureau, a group of visionary educators dedicated to providing new resources for both teachers and students, as a center for the exchange of materials and ideas to advance the teaching of science.  For over 100 years it has been engaging children in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning.
The Director, STEAM will work on active exhibit development projects, including content development, prototyping and evaluation with visitors, and will manage the STEAM Team, which is responsible for new program development and daily exhibit operations and programs in 6 exhibit zones. The Director will be the content lead of a planned 3,000 sq. ft. combined Science and Art/Maker space. The STEAM team conducts a broad array of programming, including Boston’s annual Mini-Maker Faire, our TechKitchen programming that brings local innovation companies and makers to the museum, regular contemporary art installations in the Art Gallery, and a robust Artist in Residence program. In all our programs and exhibits we seek to make the museum accessible and relevant to all families in our diverse Boston community.

Qualifications: 
Seven or more years exhibit and program development experience in a museum setting or the equivalent, with 10 or more years of relevant experience overall.

Advanced degree, or subject expertise, in Education and/or STEM field required, with strong knowledge of STEM education and experience with bridging art and science. Writing sample and portfolio required.

A creative, innovative, hands-on approach to STEAM in museum programming and exhibits, and passion for making, inventing and building. They will be a creative do-er, able to build working prototypes, invent new programs, build collaborations, and make novel ideas work in the museum environment. They will bring a demonstrated ability to develop networks of companies, artists and makers.

A child-centered educational philosophy, consistent with our emphasis on child-directed play and exploration, creativity and discovery; someone who practices an iterative design process (including prototyping, formative evaluation and revision based on visitor input), someone who can inspire creativity in experienced as well as entry level staff, and maintain focus to bring an idea from concept to reality.

Experience with program development for young audiences, and strong knowledge of the STEAM education field.

Familiarity with developing and implementing staff training, budget planning & management, community and corporate partnerships, and universal design for programs and exhibits.

The successful candidate will have a strong portfolio of hands-on experiences, exhibits and programs they have developed, and demonstrated success in team supervision. They will need the ability to oversee the process of taking an exhibit component from a vague idea to a refined, tested and working part of an exhibition. Our exhibit development process is team based, and projects require collaboration skills and coordination with designers, fabricators and evaluators but also the capacity to work independently to move an idea forward.

Experience with programming and exhibits for young children and knowledge of current research and trends in STEAM education. Simultaneously, the Director must consider the adult experience, often translating sophisticated scientific and educational research into exhibit experiences, and seek ways to help adults understand how their children are learning. Experience with access and accessibility, community programs, universal design and a willingness to include community members in the development process is important.

Interactive, prototype-based development, including building or assembling rough prototypes, (and/or working with sub-contractors and fabricators to do so).

Experience with evaluation, including working with the public on formative evaluation, and interactive improvement of prototypes — whether for programs or exhibit components.

Ability to manage effectively in a complex organization. Ability to lead a team, and communicate with designers, fabricators and/or architects; ability to motivate and mentor a team.

Strong written communication abilities and experience working on grant proposals.

Hours:
Full-time, Monday– Friday
To Apply
Please submit a Letter of Interest and Resume—as a Microsoft Word or PDF file and not as an HTML or ZIP file— via Email, Fax or Mail to:

Email: Jobs@BostonChildrensMuseum.org

Fax: (617) 423-3213

Mail:
Boston Children’s Museum
Attention: Human Resources
308 Congress Street 
Boston, MA 02210

Boston Children’s Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks diversity in its workforce.