Programs Manager

Description:

The Education & Programs Manager creates, plans, and implements programs and play-based learning offerings for the Museum, on- and off-site. They make the educational mission of the Museum visible by building fun, meaningful opportunities for both facilitated and unfacilitated formats; planning and leading formal classroom-based programs like classes, field trips, and camps; providing educational direction for exhibits; and managing logistics for program offerings. They enthusiastically represent the Museum in daily operations and community collaborations. They are a collaborative and respectful team member with excellent communication, interpersonal, and informal education skills who can also adapt in a dynamic, changing environment. They are inspired by the mission and goals of the Seattle Children’s Museum and are excited about making Seattle a better place for kids and families.

With another Education & Programs Manager, this position co-leads the Museum’s educational initiatives and programs that serve Seattle’s children and their adults through play-based learning experiences. Their education and programming work augments the Museum’s physical experience by creating ever-changing and strategic ways to engage Museum audiences, and foster relationships with these audiences in order to support the Museum and its mission. SCM seeks a creative and engaging individual with demonstrated experience with creating and implementing programs for children and/or families who is eager to be part of a growing team ready to build a mission-driven and values-centered organization dedicated to play-based learning, children, and our community. Roughly a year after the Museum’s re-opening (reopened April 2022 after a two-year COVID closure), SCM continues to reestablish and rebuild all aspects of its operation, including ambitions of being a leader in the community and in the field. We dream big and are committed to doing impactful work – this position will bring our mission and values to life with our visitors on a daily basis.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Design, implement, and manage the Museum’s educational strategy with fellow Education & Programs Manager: Develop institution-wide and actionable educational plan that supports Museum strategic framework, audience needs/interests, and organizational priorities; develop goals and timelines for work, and collaborate institutionally on larger goals and timelines
Program development: Create a varied menu of mission-driven programmatic offerings that showcase a range of content, pedagogical approaches, targeted age range and audience types, and community partners that build cumulatively build a foster increased engagement with Museum audiences; continue to nurture existing programs, including classes, camps, workshops, field trips, parties, public events, special guests, outreach events, and both staff-led and unfacilitated programs/activities included with admission
Program management & implementation: Track staffing, budgets, supplies, timelines, and all other logistics necessary of all programs as during planning and implementation; staff programs and/or train other SCM staff and volunteers to facilitate programs; evaluate program success based on defined criteria
Exhibit team: Participate as a key member of the cross-departmental exhibits team, responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and monitoring exhibits across the Museum; collectively design and prepare Museum spaces for maximized visitor engagement, staff efficiency, and program efficiency
Community engagement: Build relationships with a range of stakeholders related to education, audiences, and programs to enhance ability to serve audience needs, feature community partners and advocates in Museum offerings, and expand Museum reach and impact
Program bookings: Process booking requests for program reservations, such as camps, classes, parties, and field trips.
Staff training: Develop and implement trainings (and related documentation) for Museum staff on content, pedagogy, facilitation/engagement strategies, and programs
Track, interpret, and utilize relevant data to inform decisions, allocation of resources, and strategic adjustments
Staff and volunteer management: Participate in hiring, training, and evaluation of staff; Manage any staff and/or volunteers directly reporting to the position
Participate actively in team meetings, staff trainings, and Museum-wide projects
Maintain current knowledge of professional best practices, trends, and ethics related to museum/non-profit education, learning, and community engagement work
Represent the Museum and its mission in the community
Provide excellent customer service for internal and external stakeholders
Cross-train to gain first-hand experience of our mission in action, as well as provide occasional front-line support in the Museum, including front desk customer service and facilitating play-based experiences with visitors