Posted October 7, 2014.

CMOM is the vibrant home to over 350,000 visitors a year from all segments of the NYC community and tourists from around the world. The museum’s educational mission in early childhood education, creativity, health and culture thrives within our home on 83rd Street and in dozens of communities across the city as well as through national initiatives with leading authorities and government agencies. Child development is at the core of CMOM’s values and mission and our vision is to be the bridge that connects children and adults in the community, school and home in order to prepare our children for the global world within which they live. Each year, CMOM serves 30,000 children who visit CMOM as part of a school group and more than 34,000 children served through offsite outreach programs.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Education and Community Programs manages and leads the day-to-day operations of CMOM’s education and community outreach programs, both at the Museum and offsite. Working closely with the Deputy Director and Education team, he/she will influence and implement the Museum’s strategic agenda in education, family learning and community services, and coordinate with the Exhibits, Public Programs and Visitor Services departments to ensure high quality educational experiences for CMOM’s constituents.

The Director of Education and Community Programs will oversee the Manager of Community Outreach, Manager of Administration and Education, and 15 part-time educators. Critical to the role is the ability to develop and oversee the Museum’s work with city government agencies and university partners to support partnerships and research.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Serves as a key member of the senior management team, contributing to overall institution growth and development;
  • Supervise and provide direction to a staff of two full-time managers and recruit and train 15 part-time educators;
  • Responsible for the development and management of on-site learning programs and educational outreach activities including: guided group tours; enrollment classes; internship programs; parent lecture series; professional development trainings; and library, school and Head Start programs;
  • Develop, refine and assess CMOM curricula and learning resources to ensure the Museum provides standards-based, child-centered education to pre-K–5 school groups, and to maintain its leadership in the provision of quality professional development training opportunities for educators and care providers;
  • Manage Museum relationships with schools, libraries and other community based organizations. Visit program partners to help capture best practices and define optimal implementation. Work with Deputy Director of Education to build and manage relationships with major external partners;
  • Develop new program ideas and content that further CMOM’s mission and goals;
  • Oversee and coordinate external research and evaluation, working with the Education team to gather data and develop program quality control systems. Assist development office on fundraising activities including providing program specific content for grant and sponsorship proposals and reports;
  • Work closely with colleagues in the exhibition department on educational content and approaches to new exhibitions and accompanying programs;

QUALIFICATIONS

  • BA required; Master’s degree preferred;
  • Five years of experience in early childhood or elementary education, museum studies or related field;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills;
  • Experience in managing and training staff;
  • Knowledge of and proven skills in principles and practices of museum education, curriculum, development and transmedia education, and research and evaluation;
  • Experience with grant writing and knowledge of NYC city agencies serving children;

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

The ideal candidate is exceptionally curious, dynamic, innovative, passionate, energetic, gracious and approachable. He/she:

  • Is a leader with excellent supervisory, planning, and organization skills to work with collaborative teams;
  • Thrives in a fast paced, creative environment and is able to advance simultaneous projects;
  • Sees the possibilities as opposed to the obstacles, is tenacious in solving problems and results-oriented;
  • Has a strong work ethic and high standards for his/her own work and the work of others;
  • Is flexible and has a lively sense of humor;
  • Will forge and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of public and private organizations, Museum staff, and Museum guests;

Please email cover letter and resume to lbushara@cmom.org with “Director of Education & Community Programs” in the subject line.

No phone inquiries, please.

A competitive salary and benefits package will be offered.

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is an Equal Opportunity Employer