Date: July, 2017
Reports to: Deputy Director
Employment Status: Full-Time/Exempt
The San Diego Museum of Man’s mission is to inspire human connections by exploring the human experience. We aim to hold a space for discourse on topics that matter and a place where we keep the fun in profundity. The Museum, housed in an architectural gem at the heart of Balboa Park, is open 362 days each year. Our staff demonstrates great flexibility, generosity, kindness, humor, excellent judgment, and attention to detail. We love our community, our visitors and our team! Commitment to a team approach is a must and a clear perspective is appreciated. If you like being around hard-working, welcoming, appreciative idealists with no shortage of opinions, please join us. Be part of making our community better by working in a museum that aims to be part of the solution.
Description: Director of Education & Public Engagement
The San Diego Museum of Man (SDMoM or the Museum) is seeking a Director of Education & Public Engagement to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Deputy Director, this position will contribute to the strategic development and growth of SDMoM as a first-class and high functioning institution.
The Director of Education & Public Engagement will set short- and long-term vision for comprehensive, decolonized social betterment-oriented programming; create, implement, and maintain “proFUNd” programs that support 21st century skills acquisition, global citizenship and reflect the San Diego Museum of Man’s (SDMoM) mission; serve on the collaborative exhibit development team and serve as primary visionary for exhibits, immersive media-based experiences and other signature experiences; and ensure museum experiences that move, empower, surprise, delight, amaze, inspire and welcome visitors.
Priorities and Responsibilities:
- Work with Deputy Director and management team to set a vision and goals for 21st century skills acquisition and cultural competency outcomes
- Develop and implement strategic programs rooted in social betterment and an understanding of decolonization and structural racism including community engagement-based programs, professional development and programs for schools, adults and families
- Collaborate with the exhibits and visitor experience teams to develop experimental and surprising interactive and participatory experiences throughout the museum
- Determine staffing roles within department; recruit, train, and supervise education and program staff and work with the Volunteer Manager to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers for programs
- Develop and evaluate strategic partnerships with partner organizations
- Develop and implement an outreach plan to grow new and repeat attendance to programs
- Insure that all programs are evaluated in a consistent manner
- Prepare reports on programs including narratives when appropriate
- Negotiate and manage contracts with teaching artists and consultants
- Oversee the efforts of any consultants hired to develop programs or resources
- Work with Deputy Director to develop and manage departmental budget
- Work with development staff in preparing, tracking, evaluating, and reporting of all education programming grants
Experience, Education, or Skills Required:
The ideal candidate must be a broadly experienced leader/manager who is a seasoned professional with excellent management and team-building skills and the following experience and qualifications:
- Understanding of equity, inclusion, and racial justice issues in museums, and experience fostering inclusive practice
- Understanding of decolonization as it applies to museums, and an interest in developing this area of expertise
- Minimum 5 years experience in development, implementation, and evaluation of programs or experiences that aim to inspire positive social engagement, action on behalf of others and consideration of one’s place in the world
- Minimum 5 years experience managing complex projects involving coordination among multiple departments
- Experience with collaborative/team project development process
- Experience developing digital technology-based projects
- Knowledge of informal learning theory and practice, visitor studies or evaluation theory and practice, and applications of technology in museums preferred
- Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with a diverse range of groups and organizations
- Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate a team
- Strong ability to be creative and think critically
- Self-starter with strong organizational skills
- Ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast-paced working environment
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; and ability to work in team environment
- Proven ability to communicate complex ideas with a wide range of people
- Excellent writing skills
- Experience managing budgets, contracts and working within tight deadlines
- Available to work some evenings and weekends as necessary
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, and project management software
Personal Characteristics:
The ideal candidate will be:
- Comfortable with experimentation and risk-taking
- Able to relate effectively with people of various cultural backgrounds, levels of education, and experience
- Able to generate ideas for experimentation and continued improvement in projects
- Passionate about the Museum’s vision and mission
- Aware of the wider societal, cultural, economic and political environment in which the Museum operates
- Willing to take responsibility beyond the scope of the job description and organization
- Able to take initiative and have an ownership mindset
- Curious (proven)
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The job regularly requires the employee to sit for long periods of time, work mostly indoors but sometimes outside, as well as walk, climb or balance, crouch, and stoop. The position may require the climbing of multiple staircases. The position occasionally requires the lifting and/or moving up to 30 pounds.
How to Apply:
The San Diego Museum of Man is an equal opportunity employer and a drug free workplace. Please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Recruiting@museumofman.org with “Director of Education & Public Engagement” and your first initial and last name in the subject line. Principals only. No phone calls please.
